Yoga. And…breaaathe.

My mom and I agreed to try something new for the New Year, and we decided on starting up yoga. We are both really stressed people, and for our health we chose to try to do something about it. We found this little place not too far from home and tried it out.

I have to admit that we didn’t take it very seriously at the beginning. Indian chanting began playing in the back of the room and she and I started to giggle. We couldn’t hold a position for more than a couple of seconds. Even breathing by inflating our belly demanded concentration; apparently, stress makes us breathe by our chest, and decreases the amount of oxygen to the rest of the body. It was hard to focus on our steady breathing, hold new positions, and stay concentrated simultaneously. We did notice that we felt better after class, so we signed up for a couple months.

A few things should be noted. I’m the type of person who loves sports. I played soccer for 10 years and started volleyball last year. I like the exertion and I like pushing myself, and I found neither of these things in yoga. Yoga underlines the importance of not pushing your body, “the breath needs to go where the body allows it.” It revolves around making sure you pace your breath; if you are struggling, you won’t gain length and you’ll tense your body.

My mom and I noticed that we felt really cleansed after class. I was surprised how cliché it was, but I actually did feel relaxed despite my scepticism. The feeling was exactly like having a really good two-hour stretch. I even apply the breathing techniques during times when I can’t sleep, or right before I have to give a presentation (I don’t do well with public speaking). And the best result of all? Drum roll please… I can finally touch my toes!!! In 20 years, I have never deliberately touched my toes without crying. I’m able to do it now! Granted it took me almost four months, but I think I’d rather train my body in a non-stress environment and reach the goal healthily.

There are some downsides to yoga, though. If you are looking for a workout, I wouldn’t suggest it. While this routine is great for the soul, and for getting a good stretch, I would definitely not assume you’ll be burning calories and working up a considerable sweat. Secondly, at the beginning, it’s hard to not push yourself. The whole point is that you breathe and give your body time.

Despite all of this, I would still suggest people tried yoga. I think people today live in a fast-pace environment, have unhealthy habits, and are overly work-oriented. Yoga is a great outlet to clear your mind (because it actually works, no matter what you’ve been thinking about) and get a chance to relax (since these moments are tough to squeeze into our schedules).

All pictures were retrieved from Google.