My interest in yoga began many years ago when I tried a group class and instantly fell in love with the ambiance, specifically tailored to help get us in the mood: a darkened room, an instructor with a calm smile who gently guided us through our breaths as we balanced, often somewhat precariously, in strange poses with a song of wood flutes and rushing water in the background. Afterward, I felt a sense of peace from that hour ensconced in a room full of strangers, all attempting to gain something—calm, stress relief, balance, flexibility, one moment for themselves, weight loss. Over the years I have turned to yoga when I needed any and all of those, and now, as the world around me seems to unravel at the seams, yoga is where I increasingly run to gain a sense of myself within it.
While that may sound like New Aged hooey to some, others are nodding in agreement, as you, too, have gained mindfulness from regular or even sporadic yoga practice. But to those of you who have not, or perhaps would like to but are afraid it won’t work for you or isn’t worth the effort, or are afraid to try something new in a class environment, or don’t have the funds for a group class, I invite you to reconsider.
There are many ways to approach yoga—a group class, the way I experienced it, can be a good option for those who thrive in that atmosphere or already have a gym membership. Or a solo practice may be more your speed, and there are many options to decide between. In January several years ago, a friend introduced me to Yoga with Adriene, a yoga Youtube channel by Adriene Mishler with over 2 million subscribers. Mishler’s quirky, fun personality draws you in and makes even the most skeptical person a believer that yoga can be for anyone. Her (FREE!) channel contains hundreds of yoga workouts ranging from a few minutes to over an hour, from the most general total-body practice to the most personal and specific of areas to address. There is a yoga video for literally anything that ails you: “Couch Potato Yoga,” “Yoga for Anxiety,” “Yoga for Cyclists,” “Yoga for Weight Loss,” “Yoga for Migraines,” “Yoga for Stress Relief,” and so many more. She offers 7-minute videos to limber up before a run or stretch out a particular area, and short videos explaining how to do particular poses or breathing exercises. Mishler’s mission is to draw in “all levels, all bodies, all genders, all souls,” and to “FIND WHAT FEELS GOOD”—her oft-repeated mantra/slogan. Mishler offers single-use online yoga “classes” that one can take as they desire, or they can begin one of her many programs, which offer more structure for those who need a plan for each day. Her most recent program began in February 2018 and is aptly titled “Love Yo’ Self,” but there is a range to choose from: I began with “30 Days of Yoga,” kicked off in January 2015, and there have been several in between. Like all good yogis, Mishler stresses the breath, and has several videos dedicated to teaching breathing during yoga, but her unassuming and inclusive attitude put even the most novice yoga practicer at ease. She encourages her followers to do what works best for them, to follow her during a video or to veer off on their own paths, and most of all, to find connection.
Yoga obviously has many benefits; they have been written about for years—certainly an increased sense of calm, but also stress relief and relief from depression and anxiety. Physically, yoga can increase flexibility, cardiovascular and circulatory health, tone, muscle strength, and improved respiration. It is a great way to enhance an already healthy person’s workout schedule by adding variety and mindfulness, and since there are so many ways to practice yoga, it can be practiced by all skill levels. Yoga and meditation often go hand-in-hand—you can practice one without the other, but yoga cultivates that first understanding of mindfulness through the breath, while meditation is somewhat different in that it often does not center around poses, as yoga does. The differences between mindfulness and meditation, though, are often debated and confused. Mindfulness is often an informal daily practice, sometimes during yoga but also just in daily tasks. As Kathryn Remati, certified meditation instructor, writes “Mindfulness is NOT thinking really hard about something, which sounds stressful. And meditation is NOT about shutting down the mind like an off switch, which sounds boring. Both practices are life skills that give you the tools to access inner peace. . . [Mindfulness] is a way of being actively aware of what you’re doing while you’re doing it.” Meditation, though similar, is a “formal practice of finding peace within” through various types of practices (Remati). Both are beneficial and can be combined and intertwined with yoga to create a habitual practice that focuses on your personal needs.
No matter what type of workout, stress relief, or connection you seek, yoga can probably help you find it. The mind/body connection is a strong one and one that many of us need help cultivating; in the midst of a busy life, it can be difficult to step outside of our everyday tasks and really think about how it all impacts us, mentally, physically, and even spiritually. Yoga can connect all three and guide those of us who need a little push in the right direction toward a healthier outlook on life and a a healthier body.
Susan Swanson is an Associate Professor of English at Owensboro Community and Technical College in Owensboro, KY. She spends her time dabbling in various pursuits, from cooking to yoga to wine, and learning how to manage her curly hair (this takes more time than one might think). She believes in the sustainability of the planet as well as the self, and being conscious of those areas where we can improve in order to live healthier and happier lives.
