I’ll admit it: I used to think yoga consisted of chanting, ill-fitting tie-dye and was reserved only for people with a name like Willow. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to a few of those classes. But that's not the true meaning of yoga.
Rather than enjoying the moment (as I was so politely instructed), my head has been full of thoughts of ‘what is that disgusting rose incense filling my nostrils’, and ‘must remember to pay the gas bill’ – probably not the desired effect, offering nothing more than a chance to run through my to-do list in a quiet room.
However, the face of yoga has evolved rapidly over the last few years, catering to anyone who is simply looking for a bit of ‘me-time’. This is awesome news for city-dwellers and country bumpkins alike – a place to stretch, flow and relax, wherever the mood takes you.
I realised today when leaving my weekly class that yoga means different things to different people. That in itself, is what makes it so awesome.
For me, yoga is a weekly appointment I set with myself to clear my mind, stretch and meet like-minded people. It’s not about ‘finding’ myself, or even working out.
Hip-hop yoga (so cool!), acro yoga, or just plain old yin – it’s all out there ready for you to experiment. Yoga can be whatever you want it to be. Just because you don’t know the meaning of the ‘eagle’ pose, doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from it. Find out what yoga means to you, and enjoy it for that.
BENEFITS
Whatever you opt for, virtually any type of yoga will help you improve your:
- strength
- flexibility
- balance
- stress levels
- tight muscles and joints
You might need to try a few classes to find the right one for your needs, and that’s cool. There are so many ways to get your ‘om’ on!
I can highly recommend the LuluLemon Community Yoga for FREE classes in a store near you. Their ‘gift of yoga’ is a fantastic way to test-drive the ever-rotating mix of styles and teachers who run classes in your area, without costing you a penny.
So what are you waiting for? You don’t have to be good, flexible, or know what you’re doing. It’s called yoga practise for a reason.
Namaste,
