“Every moment you are on this planet, every moment that your heart is beating and your breath is flowing, is an opportunity to celebrate. So many wonderful blessings come into our life, and when we’re present, we see them. When we’re strong and disciplined we push away the garbage, and when we’re bold we make the big choice to light up the world around us, to celebrate…”
– Outlaw Yoga
Happy Friday & last day of September!
Speaking of September, it’s deemed National Yoga Month by the Department of Health & Human Services. It’s the month where the worldwide yoga community celebrates the practice. As a yogi, I think that every month is yoga month, but this month I’ve definitely been thinking about my motivations for getting my Om on most days.
Lately I’ve popped into a few yoga classes at CorePower in Encinitas to sweat it out in their heated classes. To commemorate National Yoga Month, the yoga chain launched a campaign called #WhyIYoga – which encourages yogis everywhere to share why they practice.
So what are the reasons that I keep coming back to my yoga mat?
One motivation is to find balance. I find that the practice of yoga gives me balance not only in the physical sense when I’m standing on my head and trying out more progressive asanas, but also mentally and emotionally. Yoga gives me perspective and centers my mind, body and soul.
It gives me the space to practice mindfulness. I can have so much going on, but when I hit my mat, I’m focusing my energy on the present moment. Even if I at first am not in the mood for yoga – which certainly is the case sometimes – after a couple of minutes of flowing through some poses, I notice that I’m more at-ease and relaxed. The stresses of life melt away a bit, and I always feel better after I’ve practiced. I never regret a yoga session!
“Go from a human being doing yoga to a human being yoga.” – Baron Baptiste
It also gives me the space to practice gratitude. I’m big on focusing on the positive and remembering what I’m thankful for each and every day, and I find that yoga allows my mind to hone in on that.
It gives me a sense of connection. Yoga is part of my spirituality – of feeling a sense of oneness with others, with nature and with all living things. It’s hard to put into words, but yoga enables me to feel more in-tune with the world around me.
“Venturing out of your comfort zone may be dangerous, yet you do it anyways because our ability to grow is directly proportional to our ability to entertain the uncomfortable.” – Twyla Tharp
It gives me flexibility. I love pushing myself to try new poses and gain flexibility. Yoga has also made me a more flexible person in another sense of the word: I feel like I am a more compassionate, kind person because of my yoga practice.
It makes me feel powerful. Yoga makes me feel strong. I push my body through the physical practice of yoga, and I feel powerful because of it. But yoga also makes me feel strong mentally.
To me, yoga is more than just a workout… it’s a lifestyle that has changed how I think, how I react, and how I lead my life. It’s helped me progress and evolve as a human being. I believe in soulful living, in living my life consciously and passionately, and yoga has been a part of helping to shape that.
As Rolf Gates said, “Yoga is not a work-out, it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice; to make us teachable; to open up our hearts and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are.”
Namaste to you all!
Disclaimer: CorePower Yoga has provided me with complimentary membership. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
Such pretty photos, and I love your reasons for practicing yoga!
Thanks so much, Jennifer!
I’m with you – I feel so much more balanced (both physically and mentally) after doing yoga! And it definitely helps with mindfulness for me as well!
For sure! The magic of yoga right 🙂