World Yoga Day

​Happy World Yoga Day! Yoga is my go to for a stressful day. Once I am on my mat, the world around me fades away, things that stress me are no longer important. I set an intention for the class, a word or mantra to focus on (peace, release, love) and center my mental focus around it.
 
Yoga is not perfect, it is a practice. As your journey with yoga starts, it is easy to get caught up in looking around the class/studio and comparing yourself to your neighbor. Do not compare yourself to the next person, each body is different and as you practice yoga more your body will become more flexible and each pose will become easier. Instead compare yourself to yourself. Notice what areas in your body are tight or sore, notice if you have been able to improve a pose or hold a pose longer then before. 

I love yoga because it benefits your mind and your body. It is a great way to engage in self care and promote your overall well being. For me yoga is the perfect combination between exercise and meditation, it is a way that I can relax my mind and body all at once. It is an opportunity to shut the world out, focus on your breathe and body. As you change the way you breathe not only do you reduce muscle tension but you also improve circulation, digestion and immunity. When you slow your breath you lower stress and provide your brain with more oxygen. By engaging in yoga poses you increase muscle strength, improve posture and decrease muscle and joint pain. Yoga is just so awesome and anyone can do it! Have you tried yoga?