3 things you learn in yoga that better your life

Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise. Most people begin a yoga practice to relieve pain, decrease stress, or to tone the body. Whether it’s a restorative, hot yoga, or yoga sculpt class, we seek to improve our physical state. However, with a consistent practice we begin to tap into the mental and emotional benefits of yoga. In the busyness of everyday life, these 60-90 minutes of yoga are like a time-out on Life. There are three lessons learned in yoga that not only improve your physical flow but also your life off of the mat.

1. Breath
2. Balance
3. Flexibility

1. Breath

On the mat At the beginning of class, we are instructed to acknowledge the breath. As the internal heat rises and the poses deepen, we are reminded to breathe – fully without holding it. Class ends in savasana. We return to our normal breath and release any tension. Off the mat The lungs are beautiful muscles – providing both an involuntary and voluntary action. Our body continues to push air in and out. During stressful situations, like a work deadline, negative encounter with a friend, or deadlock traffic, we tense up and our breathing shallows. Practice your yogic breath throughout the day and especially when you are feeling overwhelmed. By breathing deeply, you oxygenate the blood and your brain releases endorphins. So not only will your body relax, your mood will also be elevated.

2. Balance

On the mat The standing series of yoga provides the opportunity to challenge your strength and grace. Create a sturdy base by spreading your five toes and then find the sweet spot of effort and ease in each standing pose. Think about everything that goes into Dancer’s Pose (Natarajasana). Balancing on one leg, you hold the free foot and kick while your arm reaches forward and the body arcs. Balancing effort and ease with each physical adjustment takes focus so you don’t fall. Off the mat Apply the yoga principle of balance between effort and ease (Sthira Sukha Asanam in Sanskrit). Pay attention to your breath, your thoughts, your emotions, and your physical state. Where are you out of balance? Understand that too much effort in one aspect will burn you out. Too much ease and you will never realize your full greatness.

3. Flexibility

On the mat Each yoga class is different. One day your hips might be tight and the next day they are open, or your left side just doesn’t fold into the pose the same as your right side. Physical flexibility develops in yoga as you get stronger. That doesn’t mean you will become a bendy pretzel. Instead, you are more aware of your physical state so you learn to bend and not break. Off the mat Life throws you curve balls. It’s how you handle these obstacles that defines you. Practice mental and emotional flexibility off the mat. Before reacting, take a moment to scan the situation just as you would your body. Where do you need to let go and where do you need to hold on – to ideas, practices, emotions? The next time you are flowing through a yoga series, pay attention to how you feel in that moment. Then bring that awareness into your daily life. After all, yoga class is the practice – the real yoga starts the moment you step off your mat.