The Benefits of Yoga

If you have known me for at least the past 7 years you would know how passionate about yoga I have become. Not only have I practiced it for these 7 years but I have taken classes and read about it also. I have learned all the names of the different poses or asanas is what the real name for the poses are. One of my goals in life is to become an instructor. I have found the benefits of yoga to be so wonderful. Before I began yoga or any work out for that matter. I was high stressed, depressed, over weight, and yes I smoked. I quit smoking soon after I began practicing yoga over 7 years ago without any with drawl symptoms. I also do a lot of other work outs along with yoga. I spin, weight lift, kick box, and walking or hike as well. I have found it hard to find a good yoga instructor that works best with my schedule over the years of practice. You almost have to find one that you can create some sort of bond with. I have found this several times only to have the instructor quit or leave. My last instructor had to have been one of my favorites and she had to leave for some personal thing. I was so frustrated. So I took a month off of yoga and continued my other exercises I normally do during the week. I do spinning and weights once a week and switch pilates and kick boxing around once a week. I could feel in my body that something was wrong. My knees started to ache. My back was twisted. I was even having stomach problems that I have not had in years. I decided it was because I took a break from yoga. I went back to yoga last week and oh my heck...what was I thinking taking a break. It is the most wonderful thing ever. It is stress relieving and a great way to get in touch with how your body was feeling. I may not have that bond I feel like I need with my teacher right now, but until I find that one teacher again I will be visiting lots of classes and not taking a break ever again. I think this form of exercise is the most beneficial to my work out routine. It may not help me much in loosing these last ten pounds of baby fat but it definitely keeps my mind and body in balance.....NAMASTE