10 Fantastic Reasons To Do Rejuvenating Yoga

Yoga IS the prize! Honestly, I put off doing yoga for far too long and I've discovered a number of reasons why I become a happier person if I keep up my yoga practice.

I am the worst, absolute worst, for creating reasons why I can't do yoga "today." I decided that, no matter what, I would do yoga at least once a week, to start.

Every time I go into what I call, "the sleeping pose," I become clear about something. To help you find your way to the yoga mat, even if it's in your squishy, too-many-chairs, livingroom...okay - that's my house I'm describing(!), I am sharing this list with you.

All Photos and Writing are copyright by ME - Teapixie! :)

Yoga is easy, if you're easy on yourself. I can understand being afraid of classes where "mastery" is the goal, but I seek out classes where the doing is more important than the perfection of the doing.

Lisa Celotto, yoga instructor extraordinaire, explains that, "You are exactly where you are meant to be," in terms of the poses you are attempting to do. Part of sticking with yoga is finding a place within it where you can love yourself while you are doing it - not berate yourself.

Give yourself permission to make mistakes and, ultimately, to have a good time.

Here I list 10 reasons to do yoga. These reasons will either help you to get started or remind you how fantastic your yoga practice really is.

These are books that might help you to understand yoga a little more, or help you to design your own practice at home.

It surprises me that there are little items which support proper yoga practice, but there are! Take a peek - you might find some of these items useful.

1. Relaxation. If you have ever experienced stress, the very basic of yoga - learning to breathe - is an excellent reason to start your own, daily, yoga practice. Breathing techniques help to manage your response to stressful situations so that they don't overwhelm your body and mind. The degree of relaxation that can be accomplished through performing yoga poses can actually appear to lift stress from your face. I'm always impressed with how rejuvenated everyone appears at the end of a yoga class. Miracle youth answer? You tell me!
2. Be Active. Yoga is a wonderful practice for keeping joints and muscles toned and lengthened. If you play sports or exercise, you are often involved in contracting your muscles and yoga provides an opportunity to stretch.
3. Quiet Time. Even the chattiest person will be quiet during a yoga class. If you want a chance to disconnect from your thoughts, yoga is an excellent practice for doing just that.
4. Spiritual Time. First, let me tell you that yoga is not a religious practice. Some people practice it religiously, but it does not ascribe to a particular spiritual regimen. Instead, yoga gives you the opportunity to connect with your inner spiritual self. There is no external direction regarding this, but there may be inspirational moments.
5. Broaden Your Knowledge. Yoga is a practice to be learned and, believe me, the learning never ends. Lisa Celotto, a local yoga instructor, says that we are all teachers and we are all learners in the practice of yoga. Everyone learns a practice of their own, performing their poses in ways that accommodate their own bodies.

My yoga instructor has a cellphone ring tone that makes me smile because it's chimes. I have loved chimes since I was a wee tyke and when I hear them I think of magic and whimsy. When that cellphone goes off during class, it is the most soothing of sounds. Even if you're not doing yoga, consider having some soothing music on around the house - it will make you feel good and is a great part of self-care.

Wearing comfy clothing is important - at all times (okay, that's a personal opinion). At least it is important for practicing yoga. But I've discovered that wearing beautiful jewellery is another part of feeling good while practicing.

Of course, it would be impractical to wear big pieces or long necklaces, but I find that a beautiful pair of earrings, a gorgeous ring, a short necklace, and an ankle bracelet help to make me feel like a goddess in action.

Take a peek through these items to find something that will help elevate your yoga experience. Life is all about feeling beautiful!

I love nature. I can't deny it. While in Maui I discovered this wonderful plumeria flower designed ring - it is one of my all-time favourites. I believe that while doing yoga you become your perception of nature. I love that I can wear this ring and be reminded of what it feels like to BE nature. (Yes - it's a Zen thing. A little flakey? Maybe! But I can live with that. :D)

1. Improve Strength. Physically, Emotionally, and Mentally.
2. Improve Flexibility. Physically, Emotionally, and Mentally.
3. Improve Balance. Physically, Emotionally, and Mentally.
4. Social Camaraderie. There is nothing like belonging and so often the activities around which we organize may not be healthy. Sharing your experience and learning of yoga with others is extremely uplifting.
5. Improve Self-Confidence. You will feel better about your body and your ability to improve your own health. You will achieve a sense of empowerment and what can be wrong with that?

In a recent article produced by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) the use of medication to manage anxiety was explored. During this program the idea of practicing yoga was discussed as an activity to try for managing anxiety (and stress) before considering medication.

The Mayo Clinic references the use of yoga-style deep breathing as an alternative form of managing night sweats. I have tried this method and sometimes it works for me. For serious help and information on perimenopause and menopause, I turn to Jeri-Lynn Prior. She is a doctor that works out of the University of British Columbia through a program called "CEMCOR." I suggest, if you are struggling with perimenopause that you look her up and take a cruise through her website.

My wonderful yoga instructor created an exciting new opportunity to join her in practicing yoga. As an incentive, her first class was offered free of charge (another good reason to do yoga!) AND she served hot Chai at the end of class. It was so lovely. I am thinking that I want to bring tea to one of her classes, as a surprise - it will be a surprise if she doesn't read this before I do it!

I will pack it in my Dad's old work thermos, a vessel with a legendary ability to keep liquids hot for a whole day, and I will bake cookies. I'm thinking that I should drag along some of my crazy tea cups. Because they're all second hand it won't matter if one or two are sacrificed in the process (a chip here, a broken one there) and I think it would express a reciprocal sense of thanks. I believe that just because we pay someone to do a job, it doesn't mean we can't be thankful for the energy, effort, and service that person provides. I want to walk through the world expressing gratitude - I am thankful for this life and for the little, generous ways in which each of us can make a difference in each other's lives. Try it yourself - you'll see a difference in your perspectives as you walk through the world.

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