Why Do We Love Yoga? Let Us Count the Ways!

The more mainstream yoga has become, the more the focus has been on the physical benefits of muscular strength and improved flexibility resulting from a regular yoga practice ignoring the immediate benefits felt from within.  The mind becomes as addicted and enthralled by the yoga practice as the body does. Therefore the mind craves it as much as the body does. Though some argue that yoga for the sole purpose of it physical benefits is no yoga at all, sometimes its where our connection with yoga has to begin in order for it deepen as we evolve in and with our practice. A healthy body and healthy mind go hand in hand. Along with all the benefits to ones mind comes the undeniable physical results from a yoga practice. Some of physical ailments, when suffered long enough, bring on feelings of despair and depression. Being sick and tired of being sick and tired is a disease that plagues many people in our world today. Once yoga’s effects are felt in the body, the commitment to finding health, the desire to feel this relief in the body on a regular basis becomes much easier, addictive and intoxicating all at the same time.

          Many asanas are aimed at specific body parts and target a specific ailment of the body. When these asanas are combined as part of a flow within a class or personal practice, it releases the body from suffering. The body is no longer in a fight or flight stress response state and begins healing itself when allowed and taught to do so. The body is known for its self-healing attributes. All it needs sometimes is the permission and time to do so.  When we feel better we are able to do better. When we feel enhancement of muscular strength as a result of a regular practice, we want to further it . Its like a snowball effect.  And from there the healing occurs. Its amazing what the impact of a relief of pain can have on our emotional state. Even a glimpse of hope can be enough to help us dust ourselves off and keep pushing through . The realization that we actually have power over our own sense of wellbeing is a high like no other.  A change in life perspective and the diminished view of the false negative reality of being “stuck” with the pain takes place. Once the body learns the tools to selfheal, there’s no going back. We forget how good our body is designed to feel. Sometimes all we need is a program to kick start it. The 90 day challenges and the bootcamps that are all the rage can be intimidating and daunting if we’re coming from a place of suffering or just plain “out of shapeness”.

        Yoga is a personal journey that we take and its intensity is completely in our control. It’s a safe place to start with all the low impact variations and can then be taken up a notch as we build confidence and strength.  Is there any greater sense of empowerment? Strong body, strong mind.