Sometimes getting to yoga class can feel like you are fighting a battle in a war. It is not a constant feeling, but some days are just harder than others to get into a yoga state of body, mind and spirit.
There are those days when going to class can feel like the last thing in the world that could possibly be good or healthy. Today may be one of those days? You may have been traveling, crashing in hotels, trying to do yoga poses in the small space between the queen sized bed and the television. You know, the space that your luggage doesn’t spill out of it’s zippers and onto the floor. Your week may be filled with the duties of a mother or father, constant driving, cooking, cleaning, driving, changing, running, driving… you know who you are. If you are a student you may be finishing your FAFSA and registering for classes, trying to get the last bits of sunshine on your skin before the clouds roll in and you are sentenced to the library for 9 months.
The result of life’s constant responsibilities can make ones body and spirit look at yoga as “the straw that might break the camel’s back”.
It could be so much easier and pleasant to warm up a cup of tea and settle in with that book you have been trying to read. You may think your day could be less stressed if you didn’t have to think about how clean your yoga pants are or if you will get to class on time. These thoughts can poison your motivation and make leaving the house more work than is necessary.
When your thoughts drift to other things, when you can’t imagine yourself peeling your butt off the couch and into a pair of stretch pants, when the only thing that sounds good to you is NOT doing yoga, that is when you need it the most. If you find yourself smacked in the face with these thoughts, unable to get up and out, just think on these things and you may find an easier time for yourself.
When you first began your yoga practice, why did you start?
Keeping your goals in the minds eye will help you find motivation and inspiration.
Think of the health benefits.
Yoga has many health benefits and a consistent or frequent yoga practice will change your physical health for the better.
Mental Calm.
If you live a high stress lifestyle, yoga can be a great balance for your mental state. Breathing exercises help with the management of stress and anxiety, practicing them in yoga class is a great way to burn breathing into your memory for use in emergency situations.
Weight.
Plain and simple, a regular yoga practice burns calories, plus the encouragement you get through your new mental state can help you address other problem areas, such as diet and intake levels.
Blood Pressure:
Scientific studies have shown that certain poses, Savasana (Corpse Pose) specifically, reduce the effects of hypertension.
Community:
We are always encouraging our students to become part of our community and to bring their friends into our community. Having a partner in yoga or someone who is expecting to see you in class can have a huge impact on whether or not you actually make it to class. Plus, yoga is always more fun with someone you love!
Honestly, the benefits of a regular yoga practice are numerous and thinking upon any of these reasons can be a fantastic motivation for any yogi who struggles with the idea of getting into the studio. We hope to see you in class!
