Yoga for All
Yoga's 10,000 year long pedigree has almost nothing to do with today’s fleeting fascination with fitness fads and everything to do with the practice’s continued ability to provide undeniable results decade after decade, century after century. In other words, it's stood the test of time for a reason: it works. But, how, exactly, does it work? We're going to explore the benefits of yoga in a three part series with the aim of helping you understand the power of this practice, and why you should do it.
Most of us have already heard the usual virtues of a regular yoga practice: increased strength and flexibility, reduced risk of injury and mental and physical stress, weight loss, increased focus, improved sleep, and -- as a result of many of these perks -- decreased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. But like we said, you've probably heard all about these frequently touted benefits. What we want to discuss is the lesser known (but equally important) advantages of yoga.
Yoga for All
Yoga is a holistic practice, so you're not just focusing on developing your mind or body, but both. The result is an almost instantly visible elevation of your mental and physical health. Yes, even after just one session -- and that's what we're going to discuss today: the easy accessibility of the yoga practice.
There are a lot of types of exercises that claim that anyone of any fitness level can do them, but arguably, there isn't a single type that can back that claim up like yoga. It’s not just adults in good physical health that can enjoy the rewards of yoga.
- Babies and children can benefit from yoga
- Pregnant women can benefit from yoga
- The elderly can benefit from yoga
- People with serious mental or physical diseases can benefit from yoga
- People recovering from massive injuries can benefit from yoga
More importantly, all these people can do yoga.
Beginner Exercise for Actual Beginners
Check out our New Beginner Vinyasa Flow!
Unlike stepping into a cross-fit studio or starting a running regime at a beginner level, where you may spend days recovering from that first session, the beginner level really is beginner. You’re likely to feel energized from your initial encounter with beginner yoga, as opposed to feeling crippled to the point of never wanting to try it again. This is because yoga encourages you to work at your own pace, and to honor yourself and your body above everything else. It’s a practice that asks that you explore the boundaries of your comfort zone, and push them gently and mindfully. Yoga is not a shock to your system: it’s a pleasant acclimatization into increased physical and mental awareness and power.
This means that while you may have good reason not to step into an advanced Vinyasa Ashtanga yoga class, you have no good reason not to do some kind of yoga. And there are many kinds.
Which one is right for you?
That’s what we’re going to talk about tomorrow!