Hello Beautiful Souls,

Yoga is a practice of the mind and body, it is all about bringing awareness to the present moment through breath and movement. Yoga actually means “connection”. Many people do yoga for various reasons, some for exercise and others for mental health. I recently picked up the practice to help combat and build a relationship with my anxiety. I’ve tried a few yoga classes prior to officially joining and committing to the practice.

After bringing the practice into my everyday life, I have realized it is so much more than just an exercise or breathing. Many people believe you have to be flexible or super fit to be “good” at yoga. If you’re one of those people, you’ve got it all wrong. If you think yoga is all about being “good”, then you’re in it for the wrong reasons.

I only began my committed practice just over a month ago and I feel it changing me already. Not just physically, but also mentally. I want to share all the things I have discovered through my yoga practice and how it has helped me. You’re story may be different but here is mine:

Patience

One of the main lessons I have gained from yoga is patience. When I started yoga, I was not able to hit every pose, and I still can’t. You must be patient with the practice; you will have good days and bad days. Your body may react differently in each class. One class your half moon pose might be legit and not wobble at all, the next class you may not be able to even lift your leg off the mat…be patient. This piece of the practice has carried over into other parts of my life as well. I’ve noticed my patience grow in stressful situations, relationships and other life stuff.

Spirituality

I wouldn’t consider myself a super religious person, however, yoga has allowed me to create a connection with spirituality in my own life. It cleanses my soul and resets my mindset. Each class allows me to calm my mind and refocus my energy to what’s important. I have become much more mindful since starting the practice. I am able to focus my energy less on my anxiety and stress, and more on the positives in my life.

Awakening

Yoga has awaken my mind and body to new sensations and thoughts. I have become more aware of my body, my energy and my mental state. The focus of breath carries your mind in a way we do not usually experience in day-to-day life. In general, it has made me more mindful in my everyday life, even beyond my mat.

Inner Peace

Ultimately, yoga has helped me gain a sense of inner peace. Anxiety is an internal, mental battle that can conquer you, if given the chance. Yoga and meditation has created a space for me to let go of these worries and consciously become more aware. This is and will be a constant part of my practice, my point of starting yoga was to build a better relationship with myself. I constantly fight a battle in my mind, due to anxiety, and this practice allows me to release some of that tension and worry.

In conclusion…

This is just my point of view on the practice and how in just a short amount of time, it has made a serious impact on my life. It is my escape from the hectic world, it is my place to let go of my worries. I wanted to share this with all of you because you all have been a part of my health journey. Although I have not been as active in hitting the gym or eating as many greens as I would like, yoga has been my step towards those goals again.

The end of last year was a struggle for me; I felt very lost in my school/career path and I was overwhelmed with anxiety. I had lost sight of my goals and I let negativity take over. Yoga was my commitment to becoming my best self again. I have learned that in order to accomplish any goal in life, you must be in a healthy place with yourself, mentally and physically. If those two things are not aligned, your goals will be really tough to manage and navigate.

So, after some thought, I decided integrating a yoga practice into my routine was what I needed. So far, it has been one of the best decisions I have made. The studio is great and they really have worked with me to make my practice possible (financially). The instructors are badass, they inspire and empower me every class. And of course, the practice is life changing. It has completely changed my perspective and daily mood. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to better myself, holistically.

Thank you for reading PYM today. I hope you find this article valuable and feel free to ask me any questions regarding it.

Namaste, Lyss