why yoga?

why yoga?

Why Yoga?  This is a question asked of me, quite often.  What made me decide this was my path?  Why...Yoga?? 

Yoga embodies your entire being-body, mind, spirit, and soul.  So often we are so stuck up in our head space that we need something that connects our head to our body-literally & figuratively.  Yoga can do that.  Not only can it strengthen the body physically, it strengthens the mind as well.  There are so many different types of yoga-there's always something for everyone.  Sometimes it takes trying different ones to find the one that fits you best.  You can explore Yoga for a really intense workout, one to help you relax the entire body, Yoga to make you sweat (a lot!), one specifically for intense meditation, one for just adding flexibility, aerial Yoga and many, many more.  It gives you time to really understand how your body moves and what feels good-deep down. 

In an hour of Yoga, you will learn so much about yourself.  I find that it is during my time on the mat that I have the best conversations with God/Spirit, and with myself.  It's some of the most profound 'spiritual' time that I have experienced outside of deep meditation and nature.  When my doctor told me that I shouldn't do Yoga anymore due to an issue that I have in my joints, I was determined to become a Yoga Teacher because I need that there would be profound healing through it.  It took me a year and a half to get my RYT-240 Teaching certificate in Hatha Yoga.  I experienced so many obstacles along the way, many different situations that tried to make me believe that I couldn't do it-but I did it! And, it has been so incredibly healing for me.  I know that it can do the same for you.

Many people stay away from Yoga because of the appearance of what Yoga looks like via social media sites.  You see Yogis standing on their heads, twisted up like pretzels, looking perfect in the newest trendy Yoga clothing or holding handstands for an abnormally long time.  This is not the reality of what Yoga is.  This is a perception of reality that many Yogis try to present that is not entirely true.  What you don't see in those difficult poses is what it took for them to get there, the straining that is taking place in the body during it or even a truth of the number of years and practice that it took them to get there.  You see a quick snapshot in time of a perception.  Yoga is about your relationship with your body and a practice to create a deeper connection to Self and Spirit.  It doesn't always look clean and crisp.  Sometimes it's awkward and uncomfortable as you are trying to learn new poses, or even just to teach your body to move into the 'easy' poses the correct way.  

Don't let your perception of what Yoga is 'supposed' to look like, keep you from attempting it.  It takes persistence and daily practice to really learn what Yoga is, but it's so worth it.  Everyday, when I come to my mat, I learn something new about myself.  I often make up my routine as I go.  I'm not a by-the-book kind of Yoga teacher or student.  Using your creativity to come up with a flow that feels amazing in your body is part of the inspirational process of learning Yoga. 

I urge you to try out a Yoga class in your neighborhood or city!  It may take going to several different places before you find a Yoga teacher that you like and connect with.  If you don't feel comfortable going to class, find a YouTube video or online class that you can do.  If you need a little extra assistance, I offer one-on-one private instruction, as well as Yoga Class by Skype.  Each session is a case-by-case decision, so there is no set pricing structure, as of yet.  Please email me if you are interested so that we can set up a time to chat and come up with a plan that works for you.  I love teaching Yoga and helping others to find the joy, peace, strength and inspiration that it can bring them.  If you follow my Instagram account (@raiseyourlight) you will see many videos of my Yoga practice.  Soon, I will be uploading class videos that you can follow along with at home.   Give it a try-see if Yoga is right for you!  

Namaste~
Mandi