Yoga; The Hidden Secret to a Vibrant Life; What it is and Why You Need it

Cover photo for Allison Rachael Yoga that features the title of the blog and a photo of yogi in a downdog positon

Have you ever heard any of these statements before?-

- "I can't do yoga, I'm not flexible enough"

- "Yoga is just stretching, isn't it?"

- "I'm not in shape for something like that"

- "Yoga is boring. It's not a real workout"

If I had a dollar for every time someone said this to me, I would honestly have a ton more dollars in my bank account. Over the years of being a yoga instructor and student, these phrases have been thrown around constantly without much thought. But the one thing all of these statements have in common, is that they're just simply not true! Yoga is a great way to exercise, reduce stress and improve mobility. Basically, it's one of the best ways for you to practice self care! We'll go over a few basic benefits and how you can start adding it into your life, but first we've got to answer a simple question.

What is Yoga?

So what exactly is yoga? The most common answer I get is that it's just stretching, nothing special. Yes, it's a form of stretching, but it's a whole lot deeper than that. The basic definition of yoga is " a type of exercise where one moves their body into a variety of positions for the purpose of becoming more fit or flexible, and to improve breathing, all while relaxing your mind". Seems pretty simple enough right? (If you're looking for a more in depth analysis, THIS is a great resource). Stretching mixed with breath work and elements of meditation? That sounds like more than just basic stretching if you ask me.

Photo of a yogi on a blue mat in a downdog position. Her back is to the camera and there are plants in the background

Adding Yoga to Your Life

If you're curious about adding yoga into your daily/weekly/monthly routine, there are a ton of different ways you can sprinkle it in. You don't need to start do

ing hour long sessions or go to a studio every day. A little yoga a few times a week or even a couple of times a month can be incredibly beneficial- even 15 minutes is better than none! If you're brand new, start small and find a class that is labeled beginner or is limited in time so you don't feel overwhelmed. Find a few different poses that you like and take a couple of minutes to practice them. You can even set a time for 5 minutes , and if that feels comfortable start to gradually increase that amount over time. If you're familiar with yoga, but you've taken a break or haven't practiced in awhile, take it slow working your way back in. Between online classes and videos, as well as in-person studios, there is a time frame and level that works for you. Trust me on this one :)

Debunking Excuses

Let's go back and look at those excuses from the beginning but this time I'll add a counter argument:

-"I can't do yoga, I'm not flexible enough"

- One of the main reasons to practice yoga is to INCREASE your flexibility. You might start your yoga journey barely being able to reach your toes, but after a little while, you'll find that you have more mobility in your joints to help you find that flexibility you didn't know you could have! Once you start to notice you have more range of motion, you'll wonder why it took you so long to start practicing!

- "Yoga is just stretching, isn't it?"

- WRONG. See the above statement on what yoga is and why it's not just stretching. It's the combination of movement and breath work, plus mediation that makes yoga much more than just basic stretching. Yoga joins all of those magical elements into one beautiful practice.

- "I'm not in shape for something like that"

- Like any fitness journey, when you start out you're not going to be at your peak fitness levels. Start off slow and gradually over time with some consistency, you'll notice that your fitness and flexibility levels have increased. Before you know it, you'll find yourself more in shape than you realized.

- "Yoga is boring. It's not a real workout"

- First you need to define what a workout is to you- ask yourself what you're looking for. There are so many different styles of yoga, different class types, different teachers. Find one that you like and that excites you, and that meets your workout needs. There is a type of yoga that works for just about everyone- if you're looking for a slower class, or one that will leave you in a pool of sweat, there is a class for you. With all of the choices out there, you're bound to find a class that is just perfect for what you're looking for. Instagram and Youtube are also amazing places to find a variety of classes and teachers within the yoga community, helping you find a class that is anything but "boring".

Top 5 Benefits of Yoga

If you're still not convinced that yoga is for you, or you're looking for a little something extra for why you should be practicing, let's take a look at five additional health benefits other than a good stretch.

Better Sleep: Raise your hand if you're not getting enough sleep, or have trouble falling/staying asleep on a consistent basis? Yoga has been known to help participants experience better sleep, due to the relaxation aspect. Exertion, both physically and mentally, can help you feel more tired, and can help you find sleep easier than those who don't partake in any from of exercise.
Improved Breathing: One of the key components of yoga is the breathing methods used throughout. Yoga focuses on the practice of deep breathing- taking bigger inhales and deeper exhales mixed in with body movements. The breathing methods taught in yoga can teach you how to breathe better and more efficiently, allowing for more oxygen to get to your lungs. Who doesn't want to experience better breathing?
Increased Joint Mobility: Stiff joints or limited flexibility can improve with a continuous yoga practice. Yoga opens your muscles and joints, decreasing that "stiff" feeling when you move and allows you to work on improving your body's flexibility levels. By increasing your levels of flexibility, you are helping to open your joints, which in turn will help you find more overall movement in your body.
Reduced Stress & Anxiety- Yoga is known to be a great way to reduce stress. The meditation aspect of the practice can help you calm your mind and decrease the production levels of stress hormones in the body. Lower levels of stress goes hand in hand with lowering anxiety levels, and can help create a more relaxed state of being.
Cardiovascular Health: Working up a sweat in a yoga class can increase your heart rate, while simultaneously being low impact on your joints. Even if you're only participating in a beginner or restorative class, you're still working your heart muscle and getting in a workout. Great news if you're trying to get a heart pumping activity but working through an injury or joint pain. Keeping your heart healthy is incredibly vital to your overall health and wellbeing . Yoga = Exercise = Good for your ♥️ .

These benefits speak for themselves, and I hope you all know that yoga is for everyone, no matter where you're at in your fitness journey. You don't need to be at a certain fitness level or age to practice, and that's the beauty of yoga! Yoga really can do so much for your overall health and well-being, and there are many different types and styles, so you can find one that works for you and get started.