on: Try Yoga

Yoga has been my saving grace for three years. Before you close me down, scroll to another account, or put down your phone - please hear me out. I want you to love yoga the way I do.

Three years ago, I fell pregnant with my third baby. I developed a condition that caused severe pain in my lower back early in the pregnancy. I frantically searched for relief, knowing I couldn’t depend on painkillers all of my pregnancy. But was at a loss for how else to deal with the pain. I stumbled upon pregnancy yoga videos and my body was redeemed with long, fluid stretches. Not only did my muscles experience relief, but my mind quieted from the daily practice. If you have followed me at all, you will know that I had overwhelming panic moments that the baby in my stomach would die before birth. When I found yoga, I learned the art of breathing and mindfulness. Emptying my lungs of negativity and filling them with positive thoughts. Slowing down each breath in an effort to calm my pulsating body. Yoga saved my pregnancy.

Once a habit is made, it is easier to keep up with. I found that as I had practised yoga regularly, I was able to jump right back into it after I had the baby. It has continued to be a source of calm, strength, and focus.

A body spinning out of control. Tension creeping into every crevice. Heart that cannot stop racing. Stomach cramping. Thoughts running wild. I often feel these “panic type” attacks recently. No amount of logical reasoning or distraction seems to still the waves crashing inside.

And then I remember yoga. Child’s pose – curled into a ball, with outstretched arms. Downward facing dog – blood rushing to the top of my head. Warrior – gaining strength as my legs tremble. Savasana – each muscle melting into the floor. Countless poses and flows. Married to gentle breath. Bound to mindfulness. Emptying of anxiety. Reprieve from trapped angst. Only thirty minutes of practising yoga remedies a body ill with tension.  

Why don’t you try it? Just give it a go. You don’t have to be skinny. You don’t have to be a woman. You don’t have to have lots of time. You don’t need money. You don’t have to be flexible. All you need is a device that can stream YouTube. And an open mind to try something new.

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My Favourite Yogis.

1.       Yoga with Adriene. Adrienne practices yoga with her pup and quirky conversation. She is great for beginners as she provides lots of clear instructions for how to get your body into the poses.

2.       SarahBeth Yoga. Her voice is honey. Sweet and smooth. Her yoga is simple. And often succinct and short.

3.       Fightmaster Yoga. These videos are slightly more complex, but I would say she is my favourite yogi at the minute.  She includes a slightly more “spiritual” bend to her practices.

Just play around. See how it goes. And please let me know about your experience.