Why Practice Yoga?

Whenever you discover something that brings you joy, it seems like a natural tendency to want to tell others. I LOVE Yoga, and I want to tell everyone about it. But I have to be careful because some people are skeptical about yoga and some people just don't know enough to understand why it may be a wonderful thing. So here are some bits of information and yoga tips that you can share with your non-yoga practicing friends and family members in the hopes that they will become yoga practicing friends and family members. And the timing is perfect because September is National Yoga Month, an awareness campaign designed to educate about the many benefits of yoga and inspire everyone to live healthier, happier lives. Also, people tend to start new "regimens" in September since it is the end of Summer and a common transition period. To find out more about National Yoga Month and to find participating studios that are offering free classes and events in September (Erin is offering both), visit YogaMonth.org

Why Should I Practice Yoga?
Many people who know nothing about yoga will more easily connect with the physical benefits. Yoga increases strength and flexibility as well as improving respiration, circulation, elimination, detoxification and any other system you can think of in your body. Yoga can heal and prevent back pain and generally prepares your body to perform everyday movements with greater ease, thus preventing injury. Yoga balances your energy and helps you sleep better. Aside from the myriad physical benefits, yoga also greatly affects the mind; it helps to reduce stress and calm the mind, it increases focus and concentration and it increases awareness, empowering you to understand and heal yourself. Practice yoga to feel good. Practice yoga to create freedom in your body. Practice yoga to cultivate a union between mind and body so that they are working together in harmony rather than butting up against each other (The word "yoga" translates as "union"). Practice yoga to create a positive connection to the people and the world around you. And the best part is that you don't have to take any of this on faith. Try it for yourself and experience the benefits!

What Are Some Tips for a Yoga Beginner?
Welcome to Yoga, Newbie! Here's a few tips to get the most out of your practice. And might I add that you have chosen a fabulous new hobby (you may even find that it is a new lifestyle).
1. BREATHE-the breath is the foundation of your yoga practice. It will help keep you calm, focused and present. It will also help you stretch deeper and relax into your poses instead of fighting them.
2. START WHERE YOU ARE-everyone comes to yoga with their own unique talents and limitations. The best thing you can do is to honor where you are and grow from there. Avoid forcing your body into shapes it is not ready to be in, even if the person next to you easily folds into that shape.
3. ENJOY THE GOODNESS-one of the best things about yoga is how good it makes you feel. Notice how you feel coming into class and how amazing you feel after class. Yoga is a celebration of our own basic goodness.
4. EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM-when you're in a tough situation in class, remember that yoga helps to create freedom in your body and in your mind. Think of all the daily activities you will be able to do with ease and grace. Think of the freeing power of presence-you don't have to worry all the time about the future or get stuck in emotions and events of the past.
5. YOUR MAT IS A MICROCOSM-every yoga class is a chance to learn about yourself. Your mat is a little version of your whole life experience. Any thoughts, behaviors or tendencies that tend to come up for you off the mat, are re-enacted on the mat. If you tend to be stubborn, withdrawn, hard on yourself, overly rigid or overly flexible (whatever the tendency), it will show up in your practice. Pay attention and notice these patterns; you may notice that you can replace them with more helpful patterns. If you can make changes on the mat, you can make changes off the mat (in your "real" life).

Have fun!
P.S. And be patient finding a class/teacher that you like.