I have been working hard to make more time to fit yoga into my weekly workout schedule. I truly appreciate the physical, mental and spiritual benefits yoga can bring me. In celebration of National Yoga Month, I am taking a few minutes to share What Yoga Has Taught Me.
What Yoga Has Taught Me
I have been doing yoga on and off for a few years now but definitely still consider myself a work in progress. I am still learning every time I attend a class.
Everyone Falls
I used to be afraid to try new poses because I was convinced I would fall. Falling is not failing but not trying is. Mastering yoga poses is hard work and shutting out those negative thoughts takes strength. Ascent Protein-the Official Sponsor of hard work illustrates just that in this short video. Ascent Native Whey protein powder comes in 3 delicious flavors. Use code YOGA for 10% off.
Quieting My Mind Is Good
I’ve often got a million thoughts flying around in my head at once. Taking an hour to quiet those thoughts and truly focus on my bettering my practice is so beneficial.
See Things From Another Perspective
At first, I was not interested in all in the spiritual side of yoga. I’ve learned that being open to the offered intention has merit and often offers me alternative ways of interpreting current relationships in my life. I often emerge from a class with a new way of viewing things.
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My Body Thanks Me For Yoga
I’ve realized how much my body craves and appreciates the prolonged stretch and relaxation that yoga can offer me. The more I attend the better I feel. Yoga is a great compliment to running and strength training. I have been keeping these Simply Summer’s Eve™ individually wrapped cleansing cloths in my bag to stay fresh after class.
Honoring Myself
Taking care of myself physically and mentally is the most important way I honor my body. Regular exercise, good sleeping habits and my vegetarian diet is a huge part of my routine. I am a little late to the game but I finally checked out Kevita Master Brew Kombucha. I know everyone is all over the live probiotics and finds them very energizing. The Blueberry Basil is light and florally and not all what I expected. It’s really good!
While we are snacking, I always have some sort of snacks in my bag for post class nourishing. I want to know exactly what I am putting into my body and fueling with B.O.S.S. bars that contain real ingredients like dates, sunflower seeds, bananas and hemp seeds are how I want to do it. You can find them right on Amazon and check out the ingredients. Just in case my tea or coffee needs a splash of sweetness, Organic Stevia in the raw now comes in individual packets.
I know I still have a lot to learn from practicing yoga and I am excited to embrace it. In fact, I am signed up for an afternoon Yoga workshop tomorrow.
Tell me-What has yoga taught you? Do you Namaste?
Linking up
FairytalesandFitness, Running on Happy and Fitful Focus
I do get alot out of yoga when I attend regularly I just haven’t found the time for it lately. I think the hardest part for me is clearing my mind! I also get nervous about trying new poses but when Im practicing regularly I will try more and see some progress.
It is definitely hard to find time to fit everything into our schedules. I do realize that I feel so much better when I have yoga in my life
You know I love yoga. But sometimes I leave the class feeling kind of melancholy. I think it’s because there is so much introspection during the class. I need that time in my head, and yoga gives me the chance to work it out.
Interesting! There is a lot of introspection for me as well and it is pretty much the only time I let myself go there. I am sure I would benefit from more meditation.
Yoga has taught me to meet myself and my body in the here and now, not the future or past. Do what you can, RIGHT NOW
That is not so easy to do!
I signed up for my first yoga classes when I was 19 and have been practicing ever since…except this year I’ve been slacking and I have an injury to thank for my laziness. So many wonderful benefits from yoga!
You are right when I keep up my yoga consistently, I tend to have fewer running injuries.
Love this post!! I am quite the yogi – I try to practice 3-4 times a week. I just love it and I love the after feeling! I also love how it makes me more flexible.
The after feeling is the best part for me too. It really does make me more flexible too both mentally and physically
There are so many great benefits to yoga. I really should practice it more than I do.
It is very hard to fit it all in everyday!
Great points. I always feel better when I make time for yoga but it seems to be the first thing that falls off when the schedule gets busy. I’ve been trying to at least make time to meditate in the evenings before bed and that seems to help too.
It is always the first thing to fall off the schedule for me too and then I wonder why. Hope we both find more time for it
I’ve done yoga in the past, but it’s been a few years. It’s hard for me to stay focused! Quieting the mind is a good habit to have and taking care of ourselves physically and mentally are so important. Thanks for sharing your outlook
Some days it is harder for me to stay focused but I always leave class feeling better
I don’t do yoga but I do know it’s always good to have some practice in our life that quiets our mind! For me, that’s my morning run and stretch session. Bonus point if my cat lays by me while I stretch. 🙂
Definitely find a routine that works for you is key. I am probably not relaxed when I run and always have a million thoughts going through my mind
Love yoga! I used to be a hater but I embraced it about 4-5 years ago and so thankful that I did. My body thanks me for it. My mind thanks me for it. It has really helped my running and helped me learn to honor my body.
Yes I feel exactly the same way thanks for sharing
Yeah for yoga! I love the physical aspects of yoga, but I feel like it does so much for my mental health as well. Hope you have a great weekend!
I completely agree! You too
Hi, Deborah! I found you via Meranda @ Fairytales and Fitness. I tried yoga a loooong time ago and I really struggled with it. I’m the type of person who is always “on” and everything is always super fast-paced for me and I just couldn’t get into it. But these days I think I could definitely benefit from giving it another try! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
I used to be like that too and I could not let myself relax at all. It’s worth another try! Like any class, I do think you have to find an instructor that you like. Some yoga classes are too spiritual for me. Definitely trial and error! So glad that you stopped by today let me know how the yoga goes
No doubt, yoga is a lot more than relaxing music and “easy” stretching. Like you, I have been doing yoga for several years, but I’m still a major work in progress. I have found that my balance (though still debatable) has improved a lot. I appreciate the strength yoga gives me (mentally and physically).
Yes exactly. It took me a few years to realize the benefit but now I love it
I have a hard time with yoga. I’m a busy body so when I’m doing yoga I get bored. But afterwards I feel really good! I need to get back to my mat and make it a priority!
It used to be so hard for me to relax in there but if you find the right studio and instructor it really helps
I’m not a big yogi! I feel like I need to do more high intense cardio to feel like I am getting a good enough workout.But I am sure there are many benefits from yoga as well. I have tried that Kombucha drink and they are tasty.
I am a total sweat junky myself but I’ve found that if I add a little yoga in my body is very happy
Lots of life lessons! Quieting your mind is definitely something I need to do more often! Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
It is not always so easy to do!
Yoga has taught me to embrace the calmness and be a bit more present. I need to get back into a yoga routine.
Two things I can definitely work on a bit myself too
Yoga has taught me so much too! I really need to get back into it and this post has definitely inspired me to do so 🙂
So glad! I always feel so much better when I have yoga in my life too
I don’t so much yoga but would like to. I love downward dog!
That’s a great place to start 🙂
What a great post! Yoga has taught me to continue being kind to myself!
I also need to get back into yoga and give my muscles a little workout than my norm!
being kind to yourself is so important hope you get back to it soon
Yes, quieting the mind. Peace.
It’s not always easy for me to do
Yoga has taught you some wonderful things!
As soon as I became open to learning them it sure did
I LOVE yoga. It benefits my body greatly. The hardest thing for me is to quiet my mind and to meditate… but I just need to practice, right? 😉
That is the hardest part for me as well. Yes I do think it just takes lots of practice
I really need to get back to yoga. For the past 2 weeks post wedding I have taken off from exercise or healthy eating bc I just wanted to RELAX after all the craziness lol
Well I can understand needing to relax weddings are a pretty big deal! congrats again
I love the quiet that my mind has at yoga and the deep deep stretching! I still fall a lot especially in poses where my runners muscles are just too tight!
The deep stretching is the best!