Why practice yoga?
Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, why are more people turning to yoga for support?
We’ve had to adapt to a new way of living with a heavy reliance on technology, and increasingly blurred lines of personal-life and work.
We’re struggling… increasing demands for our time and, more often than not, less movement of our bodies mean we feel out of balance, overwhelmed, stressed and anxious.
Almost one in five adults (19.2%) experienced some form of depression during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in June 2020 (almost doubled from around 1 in 10 before the pandemic) [1].
Yoga offers physical and mental practices to help mitigate the challenges of modern life. There are so many incredible ways this ancient practice can positively influence your life, so we asked A Fine Balance’s students and teachers to share their reasons for practicing yoga. Below is a round-up of 6 ways you may benefit from adding yoga to your life.
1. A framework to navigate life
Yoga offers the full package! As Hannah Noble, Yoga Teacher and Founder of A Fine Balance, says:
“Yoga offers me a framework to live my life in a better way. The philosophical elements of yoga help me think and act from a better place which helps my mind let go of attachments and aversions. The yoga asana and meditation practices help to stretch and strengthen my body and mind. This gives me the space to connect to my true self - beneath all of the noise of life (and my mind). I need this space to understand what’s truly important to me. It’s a practice that helps me reflect, and from this place I can develop and find more fulfillment in life.
Lindsey Grantz, Content Marketer, Yoga & Meditation Teacher, and Reiki Practitioner, adds to this about the incredible integration of the physical exercises with support for the whole body, mind and soul:
“In my opinion, the top reason to practice yoga is because it's the best form of inner and outer exercise that will strengthen you during the practice, as well as after. It's a true way of life that integrates the most abundant form of balance for your entire body, mind, and spirit!”
2. It supports my decision making
Yoga will help you find answers and solve the challenges you’ve been grappling with. Yoga tools like the physical exercises (asanas) and meditation refocus the mind, which creates space away from incessant thoughts. This enables you to connect to your intuition and inner wisdom which can get buried underneath the busyness of life. Lauren Coppen, Physiotherapist, Sports Massage Therapist and Yoga Teachers, says:
“For me, the absolute best part of yoga is its ability to completely alter my day and my perspective. If i’m struggling with a big decision, a beautiful flow can bring a calm clarity.
I like to add inversions and twists, especially when I’m feeling a little anxious or down. These poses give a fresh burst of blood flow, increase my productive energy and instantly lift my mood making a happy Lauren once again.”
3. It helps me to let go
Yoga teaches us important values in life. It helps us to be kind and compassionate towards ourselves and others. It encourages us to seek gratitude and let go of feelings of lack or unworthiness. Yoga Teacher, Shanel Nolan, tells us why she loves yoga:
“I practice yoga to do life better. Yoga taught me how to love and be grateful for the little things. It’s taught me to let go of things I can’t control - no matter how big or small they are! It’s taught me to love myself!”
Hannah Jago, yoga student, also finds it helps her to let go:
“The spiritual and grounding side of yoga help me: understand past decisions; enables me to let go; and gives me faith in the future.”
4. I’m a better human being
Yoga’s a practice of self-development for the service of others. It teaches us to be conscious of the way we think, speak and act. This awareness helps us to develop as human beings. Life Coach, Nutritionist and Yoga Teacher, Cory Sydee explains her love of yoga:
“I practice yoga because it helps me become totally present and keeps my ego in check. Nothing like balancing on your head to keep you focused and nothing like falling out to remind you you’re not invincible. It’s a constant practice and every day it’s different because the body and mind are so changeable. Yoga has helped me marvel at what my body is capable of doing instead of focusing on my ‘flaws’. Ultimately, I practice yoga because it makes me a better person to myself and to others.”
Women’s Yoga Specialist, Hayley Ely, also adds:
Yoga it’s a way if life.
It allows me pocess feelings and emotions and rise above all the craziness to become a better version of myself.”
5. I feel calm and present
One of the great things about yoga practices is that it help us to be in the present moment. We focus the mind on an anchor like the breath or when we become a witness to our thoughts. The goal of yoga is to find peace of mind, which happens when we’re fully present as we’re no longer ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. Pilates teacher and Senior Publishing Manager, Anna Reyburn, explains:
“I love yoga because...it’s a moving meditation, and always leaves me feeling more present, peaceful and calm.”
Marketer and Yoga Teacher, Tanya Ashfaq, adds:
“Taking it slow with a regular yoga practice can inspire you to be more patient in life. You’re calming your energy, quieting your mind and learning to be present.
And when you’re patient, and not travelling at 110mph, are you more likely to be a nicer person to others? YES!”
6. It’s the gift that keeps on giving
Yoga can often be thought of as just being like the images of bendy people on social media. Yoga’s so much more than the physical asanas – you don’t have to touch your toes to practice yoga. It offers something for everyone at whatever stage in life. Yoga teacher, Louise Foglia, says:
“Yoga is a never ending journey that keeps on giving! Whatever age or stage of life you’re in there’ll always be something for you - be it the benefits of physical posture practice; those of meditation practice; even pranayama our breath practices; or those of self (and indeed spiritual) discovery.”
So there we have it. 6 reasons why yoga could change your day and life for the better. If you want to start yoga or get back into yoga, at A Fine Balance, we offer yoga classes 7 days a week. There are three ways you can practice with us in-studio, live-stream and on-demand. You can book a class with us or sign-up to our newsletter.
