I love to practice yoga!! I'm not an expert, by any means, but I do appreciate the way I feel during and after a yoga class. I guess it has to do with the fact that my mind focuses on the poses, my breathing, and listening to what my body is telling me. As I focus on these things, the stresses of my day melt away.
Many people think of yoga as just a relaxation or meditation technique. My experience is that it can also be a means to gain strength and lose weight. By practicing regularly, my shoulders and arms are stronger and my back feels better. By honoring my body's restrictions while gently asking my body to do more, I have come to respect the good and focus less on what I cannot do. Funny thing, though - as I keep practicing, I find I can do more each week.
As my mind's connection to my body increases, I also find that I am more appreciative my body in general. Not in a conceited sort of way, just grateful for its functions. An example: In one of my yoga classes, we were at the end of our practice, stretching and rejuvenating our legs. Rachel, our teacher (who is WONDERFUL, by the way), asked us to hug our legs and tell them thank you. This struck me as funny, because I have always hated my legs; they are one area of my body that I cannot seem to slim down - ever! In that yoga class, though, I had an epiphany. Even though I may not appreciate the size and shape of my legs, I do appreciate the fact they bear me up during the day. They carry me up steep hills in my neighborhood, they help me rush across campus on my way to work, or up and down the stairs on my way to class. They really ARE amazing, and I have come to appreciate them for their function.
Anyone still reading this post will think I'm off my rocker... I might be, since it is the end of the semester. :) But, I have found that the more I focus on the positives, the happier I become. That's exactly what I am trying to do!
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