​Admittedly I did not love yoga after my first class (or my 5th class; it was a gradual acceptance). The chatter was nonstop in my head but I did come away more challenged and more relaxed. The more I came back, the better I felt. So I kept coming back. To me it became a moving meditation; moving the body with the breath; being connected and in tune with oneself. During that first class, though, I found it was NOT as easy as I had imagined, but the true surprise was the sense of peace and joy / bliss that I felt once class was over. That feeling lingered with me.

​The more yoga classes that I took, the more I discovered that yoga had the ability to meet all of my physical, mental, and spiritual needs. I was only thinking of this moment right now, which is always changing and always evolving. This moment, this moment, now this moment… There is no regret or guilt of the past to haunt my thoughts; there is no worry of the future to distract me. There is no more chatter, there is just now, being in this moment right now. I was bringing balance to my mind and body with yoga. Detaching from distraction and expanding my awareness through this moving meditation.

​Why do I bring this up? Because we all start from somewhere.

​"You are not just a person whom we see with our eyes. There is an unlimited source within you, which you can unfold, little by little. The unfolding of the real you, or the Divine you, within the ordinary you is called Yoga. The potentiality, the divinity, is there, and you try to unfold it." ~ Swami Satchidananda

​How do you get a yoga body?

​You have a body and you do yoga! Sounds too simple but yoga is for everyone! Yoga is beneficial for people with tight muscles and joints. Through yoga, we strive to find that balance between strength and flexibility. Being mindful to correct alignment and with the use of props, stiff muscles and fascia are safely stretched and aligned.

​If you are new to yoga, you may feel that it is difficult, or that you don't fit in because your poses look different than others, or that you are uncomfortable. We all started in this same place; slightly self-conscious, in the back of the room, looking around making sure that we are doing the poses "right", hoping the teacher won't focus on us. Maybe you had a bad experience at the gym or in a studio; it happens. The beauty of yoga practice is just that. It is practice. We strive to improve ourselves for ourselves. To "stay on our own mat", meaning to not compare yourself to others; to be focused, to have no judgement and to be kind and understanding to yourself. That is a skill worth developing and carrying with you through your day. Can you imagine how less triggered or reactive that we would be?

​We all have different bodies and carry around different hurts that need healing in different ways. If you have any concerns regarding starting a yoga practice, or injuries or conditions, please inform your teacher prior to your first class. Teachers can modify the poses to help you practice safely and intelligently. We can help you, if we know your needs. Together we can make practice safe and effective. Sometimes this requires the ok from a doctor prior to practicing. Sometimes certain yoga poses might make the situation worse. Just because a yoga teacher instructs you to do something but you know that something will hurt your fill in the blank (joint, back, tendon) then it is best to listen to your body and take a safe pose (maybe child's pose, maybe not) instead until you can join in class again. Your body and your breath are your best teachers.

​So if you are new to yoga, then congratulations! You are about to embark on a journey to build strength, flexibility and balance. Be compassionate and patient with yourself. And great place to start is with at the beginning. Learn your foundation and build from there. If you are in doubt that this is for you, then I suggest that you find a teacher that you like, try a class to experience the benefits for yourself and then decide. How do you feel before class? After class? The next day?

​One of my favorite things about yoga is that it is accessible to everyone, no matter your starting point. Yoga has changed my life for the better in so many ways. I'm stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally. I've accomplished poses that I had never imagined I would be capable of doing.

​How often should I practice?

​It is said that practicing yoga once a week will help you maintain what you already have. Practicing 2-3 times per week will help improve functionality and flexibility. But to really see improvements it is best to do something each day like my gravity yoga challenge before bed.  Do something each day. Perhaps a yoga class every other day for the first month. This will give you a solid foundation. After that, a consistent practice of 2–3 classes per week will, over time, help achieve the changes you desire. For life-changing results, come 4–6 times per week. Remember, this is yoga practice, not yoga perfect. The biggest comment I get from clients is that “I am not good enough to do yoga”. This is why we do yoga! We are all self conscious and self critical of the things that we are not good at. That is okay. Do them anyway, this is how we improve; how we change; how we evolve.

​Props to you!

​The use of props to help open and deepen your poses. The use of props allows the yoga student to access the benefits of the postures regardless of physical condition, age or number of years you have practiced. Props provide stability and access to safer and deeper poses that one could not achieve without the bodily extension and added support of props. The use of props allow the mind to relax and the body to move deeper into poses. I love my props as a tool not a crutch. Props to you if you use props too!

​The benefits of yoga:

​Yoga is the relationship that is built between the body, the mind and the breath. Yoga is creating a space, free from obstacles in your own body, to live. Yoga is freedom and release. Yoga is finding this release so that you can move your body with  better functional movement and stay stronger throughout your lifetime. A consistent yoga practice can help to create change: improved flexibility, increased strength, balance and emotional well-being, deeper relaxation, better sleep quality and relief from stress and pain. A regular practice provides the energy and peace of mind that we may need in our hectic lives.

​I am grateful for the guidance of my mentors who inspire me to find my space in my body and own voice as a teacher. I want to share this joy of yoga with others, so that we can all gain inner strength, balance, flexibility and peace uniting our whole body, mind, and spirit…and eventually finding inner bliss!

​Namaste explained:

​"I honor the place within you where the entire Universe resides; I honor the place within you of love, of light, of truth, of peace; I honor the place within you, where, when you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

​Namaste,

​Michelle

​

​Disclaimer: This is for entertainment purposes only. This information and musings above are not medical advice and should not be substituted as medical teachings or medical advice. If you need medical assistance seek your functional medicine doctor or call 911. I am a yoga instructor, not a doctor, if you have yogic questions or comments about any of my newsletters, please email me at GratitudeYogaWithMichelle@gmail.com