Tired of living with chronic aches and pains, low energy, insomnia, and other stress-related symptoms? Finding the right yoga class, and practicing yoga regularly, could bring relief.
There is a simple explanation for the popularity that yoga has gained over the past 40 years: It makes you feel better!
Yoga and its most-advanced technique, meditation, have been well-researched. Modern-day science has confirmed that the practice offers physical and mental health benefits. These include:
- Increased flexibility and muscle strength
- Improved respiration, circulation, energy and vitality
- Better quality sleep
- Normalized blood pressure
The ancient Eastern practice of yoga was designed to bring body, mind, and soul together to transcend the body and experience states of higher consciousness. However, no belief of any kind is required to benefit from yoga. Put simply, yoga gives you what you need.
I began my yoga practice in 1981 as a Theater Arts major with a dance emphasis at UCSC.
I was not born with a naturally bendy body, and I felt that my lack of flexibility was limiting my development as a dancer. One of my teachers suggested I try yoga. It worked like a charm. Within two months my leg extensions were higher, my back bends more impressive, and I felt stronger and more confident.
Though I voluntarily ended my dance career in 1987, I continued practicing yoga for the peaceful, light-as-air feeling it brought me. When I became a mother in 1988, and then later a single mother, yoga gave me respite from the unrelenting demands of parenting and working full-time.
Throughout the past 35 years, I have turned countless times to my yoga practice as a refuge, and it has never failed to give me what I need to live a healthy, balanced and peaceful life.
Since becoming a certified yoga instructor in 2013, I have had the pleasure of witnessing many students discover the subtle transformative power of yoga.
If you’ve been thinking about trying yoga, you’re in luck, because Santa Cruz County offers many yoga options.
If you have a health condition, or have been experiencing symptoms that have not been diagnosed, it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before embarking on your yoga journey.
Shop around for a style and teacher with whom you feel comfortable and who inspires you.
Make a commitment to take two or three classes per week for eight weeks. This is about the time it takes to notice the beneficial effects of yoga. The benefits of yoga can only be realized with consistent practice.
The wonderful thing about yoga is that it works at all levels of ability. It is not necessary to do a yoga pose perfectly to receive its beneficial effects. So what are you waiting for? Let 2017 be the year you allow yoga to give you greater health and well-being!
Alice Leland teaches yoga for all levels at Ananda Scotts Valley. Anandascottsvalley.org.
