During my 200hr Yoga teacher training program we had to write a small paper about what Yoga means to us personally and how we can use it to impact the lives around us. I want to share some of this writing with you so maybe you can understand a little more about why Yoga is so important to me and the specific take I have on my practice.
Your practice is personal, very personal, no one knows you like you know you, ya know what I mean? Your victories, struggles, good times, and bad times are the things that make you uniquely you. What you bring to your mat is you, an open version of you ready to give your all and see what you gain in return.
Yoga means union or connection, the connection of ones mind, body, and spirit. You have to be open to this connection and be ready to receive what comes your way. I am Christian and I know being a Christian and a Yogi is some what controversial but I believe my faith is one of the most important parts of my journey with yoga. I just did a quick google search and did you know there are 26 verses in the Bible about meditation and the words meditate or meditation are found 20 individual times?
Meditation is biblical, It is a form of reflection and this is so important in our walk with Christ. Focusing on His promises and all the good we have in our lives, reflecting on our blessings and reminding ourselves that we have power within ourselves. That may be a foreign concept but we have extraordinary power inside of us, divine power.
From a spiritual perspective Yoga is so powerful, spending time within ourselves is vital. Learning to develop ones consciousness can give us control over our emotions, learning to not always react on emotion but use our emotions as a powerful tool for guidance and development. In a society of go, go, go, we rarely spend time within ourselves thinking things thru, and reflecting on all the blessings we have received. Another powerful thing meditation brings is clarity, learning to discover what we truly desire, having a clear picture of what we want and then choosing to move towards that desire. It gives you the power to discover your true self and the desires of your heart. Yoga has taught me to embrace things as they come, the good and the bad learning from each moment and using it towards my growth.
I believe the physical benefits of yoga can be somewhat self explanatory and most understand the importance of strengthening the musculature system. By using these postures we are helping to prevent aches, pains, degenerative diseases, along with having a vital impact on our internal organs. True yoga is so much more that a physical workout but a connection to ones body. Learning to become aware of ones physical body gives you an amazing ability to recognize when things are not right and when things are good and helpful. Thru both my injuries and my pregnancy yoga help me to not only be prepared for the journey mentally but also physically, bringing awareness to what is taking place during that particular moment.
One thing we do not understand how to use the full power of is our breath. Breath is life! We can survive a time without food or water but without one single breath our body begins to die. Learning to tap into the power of our breath gives us power over so many things such as stress, anxiety, fear, and the list could go on and on.
Do this for me please. Sit up straight, breath in deeply thru your nose, inhale until your lungs have completely expanded. Now exhale again thru your nose, pushing out all of the air that is in you. How do you feel? Didn't that immediately bring calmness to your body and mind?
We have control over our words, action, and also our mind. We choose what comes into our sacred space and we choose what we push out, and what no longer serves us. Yoga to me is a lifestyle, a lifestyle of constant evolution, bringing awareness and consciousness to ones self for the betterment of ones self. It is a mind, body, and spiritual connection within but also to everything around us.
Your practice is personal, very personal, no one knows you like you know you, ya know what I mean? Your victories, struggles, good times, and bad times are the things that make you uniquely you. What you bring to your mat is you, an open version of you ready to give your all and see what you gain in return.
Yoga means union or connection, the connection of ones mind, body, and spirit. You have to be open to this connection and be ready to receive what comes your way. I am Christian and I know being a Christian and a Yogi is some what controversial but I believe my faith is one of the most important parts of my journey with yoga. I just did a quick google search and did you know there are 26 verses in the Bible about meditation and the words meditate or meditation are found 20 individual times?
Meditation is biblical, It is a form of reflection and this is so important in our walk with Christ. Focusing on His promises and all the good we have in our lives, reflecting on our blessings and reminding ourselves that we have power within ourselves. That may be a foreign concept but we have extraordinary power inside of us, divine power.
From a spiritual perspective Yoga is so powerful, spending time within ourselves is vital. Learning to develop ones consciousness can give us control over our emotions, learning to not always react on emotion but use our emotions as a powerful tool for guidance and development. In a society of go, go, go, we rarely spend time within ourselves thinking things thru, and reflecting on all the blessings we have received. Another powerful thing meditation brings is clarity, learning to discover what we truly desire, having a clear picture of what we want and then choosing to move towards that desire. It gives you the power to discover your true self and the desires of your heart. Yoga has taught me to embrace things as they come, the good and the bad learning from each moment and using it towards my growth.
I believe the physical benefits of yoga can be somewhat self explanatory and most understand the importance of strengthening the musculature system. By using these postures we are helping to prevent aches, pains, degenerative diseases, along with having a vital impact on our internal organs. True yoga is so much more that a physical workout but a connection to ones body. Learning to become aware of ones physical body gives you an amazing ability to recognize when things are not right and when things are good and helpful. Thru both my injuries and my pregnancy yoga help me to not only be prepared for the journey mentally but also physically, bringing awareness to what is taking place during that particular moment.
One thing we do not understand how to use the full power of is our breath. Breath is life! We can survive a time without food or water but without one single breath our body begins to die. Learning to tap into the power of our breath gives us power over so many things such as stress, anxiety, fear, and the list could go on and on.
Do this for me please. Sit up straight, breath in deeply thru your nose, inhale until your lungs have completely expanded. Now exhale again thru your nose, pushing out all of the air that is in you. How do you feel? Didn't that immediately bring calmness to your body and mind?
We have control over our words, action, and also our mind. We choose what comes into our sacred space and we choose what we push out, and what no longer serves us. Yoga to me is a lifestyle, a lifestyle of constant evolution, bringing awareness and consciousness to ones self for the betterment of ones self. It is a mind, body, and spiritual connection within but also to everything around us.
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