To all of the yogis out there, it is not necessary for me to explain what yoga is and what the infinite and individual benefits the practice can offer during the various phases in one’s lifetime. You don’t have to be a particular type of person to engage in the different types of yogic practices. Yoga and all accompanying practices is for everyone. Yoga is a 5,000-year-old wisdom of the mind, body, and soul. It is an individual art that can be practiced in a variegation of ways.
The practice of yoga, regardless of the type, can be modified to fit one’s specific needs, abilities, and present state of mind. While yoga is known for increasing flexibility, building strength, improving posture, upping heart rate, booming blood flow, and decreasing blood pressure, among quite a few other physical benefits, there is another side that even science is beginning to accept as equally important.
The mind is a powerful entity. It is capable of producing feelings of happiness, peacefulness, creativity, love, acceptance, spontaneity, curiosity, confidence, gratitude, and all other positive emotions. However, like yin and yang, the mind is also capable of producing feelings of anxiety, stress, fear, restlessness, worthlessness, dispassion, insecurity, envy, loneliness, and this list goes on and on. What causes these feelings, whether on the positive or negative end of the spectrum, is totally personal and different for every individual. Happiness can come from taking your chocolate Labrador for a long walk on the beach, while anxiety might come from going to a doctor’s appointment; there is no end to the possible catalysts for what makes us feel certain ways.
Living mindfully teaches us not to judge ourselves based on what we are feeling, but rather accept how we are feeling and why we are feeling a certain way in that present moment. Through yoga, which also includes meditation and controlled breathing, one can learn to practice mindfulness in one’s everyday life. Through the practice of yoga, meditation, and conscious breathing, it is possible to lighten the strains that anxiety, stress, fear, and any other heavy emotional or physical sensations cause, whether on a regular or sporadic basis.
You might be surprised how powerful an effect a few short breathing exercises or a couple of yoga poses can have on your overall wellbeing, especially during stressful or anxiety-producing moments. Everyone has at least one trigger for anxiety and stress, whether it is giving an important presentation at work, preparing to take final exams, going to the dentist for a procedure, driving at night, or swimming in the ocean; it literally could be anything. Reaping the benefits of yoga doesn’t mean you have to be a completely committed, spiritual, and full-on yogi. There is something for everyone to take away from this 5,000-year-old body of knowledge. Parker Wellness would like to share these things with you as we continue this journey together.
In 2014, Honi earned her RYT 200-hour yoga certification. What started as a personal quest to improve her practice, turned into something much greater. Since completing her certification, she has shared her gift with a lot of people, including some of the staff members at Parker Dentistry Facial Rejuvenation and Wellness. She used to host a once-a-week, all-level and semi-private style class in the office. Just ask any of the staff how beneficial this once a week class has been to their daily lives. Honi can share with you a wealth of information and inspiration regarding the art of yoga and how to incorporate the practice into your life.
If this has made you curious, and you want to further explore this practice, Parker Wellness encourages you to seek out a yoga class and give it a try.
These two short videos are great introductions to the practice of yoga and conscious breathing techniques. I highly recommend you check them out! If you would like more suggestions, please don’t hesitate to email Parker Wellness at [email protected] .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9jmO6xwFfs (7-minute video on three breathing exercises that you can do anywhere to help overcome moments of stress and anxiety)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn8TOat-3Cg (4-minute calming yoga sequence)
Thank you for sharing a smile with us!