Imagine that you are talking to a yoga skeptic (maybe this was your past self!) about the benefits of a yoga practice with the intention of inviting them to try it out! What would you say?
- Read some thoughts below:
I WAS that skeptic, but after learning the supporting philosophy and research, it became obvious to me that there are many benefits to a person’s overall well-being. Being a college athlete and Crossfitter, I always thought that an effective workout meant that the heart had to be racing and sweat needed to be pouring off your forehead. Yoga is a completely different challenge – the brain must focus, breathing is intentional, body awareness is imperative, holding positions through utilizing lesser-used muscles… all for the purpose of mental clarity and internal peace. It’s like anything new – give it a go. Worse case scenario, you find it’s not for you. I have no intention of eliminating my CrossFit lifestyle (it’s just too important to me), but I hope to use this to complement my current practices. I have a lot of problems with my SI joint (I’ve had injections) and disc degeneration, so I’m excited to see how these natural movement patterns help to ease my current levels of pain to increase my performance in other areas!
– Emily M.
Practicing yoga increases your mind body connection and trains your brain to stay in the present moment. This increases your social-emotional wellness, as well as physicality. The meditative state that you achieve when focusing on your breathing and presence fully supports and engages your physical wellness
.-Mary F.
I would tell a skeptic that yoga isn’t about postures or poses, but rather allowing the mind and body connection to occur. The world we live in is fast paced and constant on the go. It is essential for our minds and mental well being to allow ourselves some time to slow down and allow ourselves to simply be. A dear friend often says ” we are human beings , not human doings.” We need time to just be. To exist with out the expectation to accomplish or gain. Yoga gives us that. And a great stretch as well. 🙂
-Jessica D.
I would tell a yoga skeptic like me that yoga will be an opportunity to gain a variety of positive outcomes for the price of trying something new. The outcomes are beneficial for our body and mind. Yoga needs to be experienced. Try a class without any commitment. If you like it or not, you based a decision on your own experience.
-Jason B
The mental benefits of yoga are profound. Yoga enhances our ability to learn something new, cognitively. It also positively affects our respiratory and cardiovascular health. It gives us more efficient oxygen intake and improves our mood! Additionally, it enhances muscle strength, increases our relaxation response, and decreases stress, lowering the risk of heart disease. Not to mention, yoga allows for more mobility over the duration of one’s lifetime and promotes a healthy sense of self! That’s just to start!
-Jamie A.
Yoga is an accessible exercise for adults and children of all ability levels. Yoga increases mental well-being and overall health. Yoga can improve respiratory and cardiovascular health. Yoga can help you manage stress. It’s not some mystical taboo thing, its for everybody!
-Samantha P
I WAS that skeptic, but after learning the supporting philosophy and research, it became obvious to me that there are many benefits to a person’s overall well-being. Being a college athlete and Crossfitter, I always thought that an effective workout meant that the heart had to be racing and sweat needed to be pouring off your forehead. Yoga is a completely different challenge – the brain must focus, breathing is intentional, body awareness is imperative, holding positions through utilizing lesser-used muscles… all for the purpose of mental clarity and internal peace. It’s like anything new – give it a go. Worse case scenario, you find it’s not for you. I have no intention of eliminating my CrossFit lifestyle (it’s just too important to me), but I hope to use this to complement my current practices. I have a lot of problems with my SI joint (I’ve had injections) and disc degeneration, so I’m excited to see how these natural movement patterns help to ease my current levels of pain to increase my performance in other areas!
-Emily K.
I know it seems like yoga is an exercise or a physical activity, but it’s so much more than that. What we see as yoga is asana, which is just 1 of that 8 limbs of yoga. Not only can you work your body, it can be a tool for self liberation. It can help with regulating emotions and breathing. It can help you know yourself better as well as having physical benefits such as lowering your blood pressure and supporting spine health as we age.
-Christina M.
Yoga changed my life. In my first year of teaching I didn’t have any time to do ANYTHING for myself. I was also having trouble sleeping, my anxiety was super high all the time, and I often turned to unhealthy activities to numb the overwhelmed feelings and anxiety.
I’ve never been particularly athletic, but decided to try a cheap yoga challenge just to have an excuse to not lesson plan or be obsessed with students–even if I had the potential to be bad at it. During my first class I just wanted to get through the whole session–but something amazing happened that night: I slept more soundly than I had in months. I went back day after day because the time on my mat continued to benefit me, in small ways at first, but later became a key reason that I was able to manage my first year of teaching. What started as a 30 day challenge grew into a decade-plus long self-care vehicle.
I’m still not athletic, but I’m strong. Each time I step on my mat I can see improvement in my physical health, but more (and maybe most) importantly, I can see improvement in my mental health.
I’d encourage ANYONE to try it out. It’s truly a practice for YOU–it will be what you make it, and maybe it can give you the peace, presence, and strength you’ve been looking for. 🙂
-Kristi O.
Do you know that when we sigh it’s our body needing a deeper breath in and a longer exhale out? It’s our body & mind saying “hey I we need a minute here to slow things down.” In this moment we get to “regroup” and settle in, calming our heart rate & even lowering our blood pressure.
That’s what mindful movement and yoga does for us & our bodies. I can tell you about all the science research benefits to your body, your wellness, and your outlook on the world. This information might be enough to peek your interest. Yet, you might become more convinced when you’re actually get to try some because you’ll experience or “feel” the benefits in your own body.
-Sonia F
This absolutely supports everything I feel when I am practicing regularly!! I’ve been off lately and I can feel it! – Kate B
Email your thought here: freespirityogis@outlook.com
ॐDebie Lee's🪷Healthy Living Mindfulness ॐ 