In the midst of today's seasonal changes you may be noticing the direct correlation between the leaves gracefully falling off the trees as the temperature drops, to the summertime high energy regimen that is so easily falling out of our routine as the chill fills the air. I love that this seasonal transformation from summer to fall allows us a beautiful opportunity to swap the “busy” and “always on the go” lifestyle to a new, slower paced and more relaxed routine that can allow us to focus on our inner attention. The idea of “inner attention” for some, may feel foreign.... after all, many of us have been taught to ignore the warning signs of fatigue, stress, emotional or physical pain and injuries as: life must go on! or, it's just too uncomfortable to quiet the mind and listen to your body's needs.
With the combined elements of “inner attention and awareness” along with a recent reader's question on “how to effectively implement a healthy and balanced fitness routine as we transition into the fall season,” I am inspired to share with you the topic of yoga! There are so many amazing benefits to the practice of yoga! And what better time of the year to incorporate a quiet practice that allows you to connect with yourself and gain flexibility and mobility along with the many overall health and wellness advantages to go along with it! To educate you further on the subject of yoga, I introduce to you, yoga instructor Jane Howell of Moksha Yoga! With Jane’s abundance of passion, knowledge and grace she is one of our community's most respected and loved yoga instructors. Jane talks to you about the benefits to the practice of Hot yoga.
Yoga is rooted in ancient teachings but offers us tools for our modern lives. It is a diverse and ever evolving system with many layers and styles. One teaching within the practice of yoga is to ‘Stay calm in a stressful situation’. It can be as simple as teaching us to keep other parts of the body relaxed and calm while ‘stressing’ the muscle in a stretch or strengthening hold so that the targeted area can open in a safe and effective way. It can also translate as the ‘stress’ or nervousness that might come over you thinking about the idea of hot yoga. But once you can wrap your head around the ‘why!?’ the benefits can be endless.
The environment of a hot yoga class can most definitely be overwhelming. The reasons behind the heat will lead you to personal breakthroughs physically, emotionally and spiritually. The added challenge (stress) of the heated room means that you will work harder, leading you to be stronger.
Hot yoga will raise the heart rate. The body will be working, sweating and detoxifying. This can happen without having to take on an overly active and (advanced) dynamic yoga class. This approach really is about keeping bodies safe. Many styles of yoga offer a very fast paced and physically demanding practice which is awesome for experienced practitioners and is a fun way to stay fit. It just doesn’t work for many people at the start of their yoga journey or if they have physical limitations from injury, age or ability. It takes time and work to build the strength and awareness. Our bodies want to be active. We know we want to move energy and information around, it’s just about finding a way to do it that feels right and can be sustained for years to come.
The heated space invites the muscles to release tension and relax as soon as you step into the room - just like using a heat pack! Tight and stiff bodies experience movement with more ease and ability. Of course overstretching is a possibility, but like any physical activity there needs to be awareness, and if done carefully this will not be an issue. Suffering pain in your everyday life does not have to be accepted as ‘normal’ and regular yoga can help.
Learning to breathe effectively will aid your body to function more efficiently, and it’s in a heated yoga class that this tool can really be developed. To stay ‘calm’ in the ‘stressful’ moment of challenge, you can use your breath. Long, deep and rhythmic breathing sends the message of ‘calm’ to the nervous system. You will learn to harness and use the breath to support the movements, while working hard, sweating and strengthening.
Next, there is the mind. Simply having to stay focused on what was happening in the room and on your mat is all that the mind needs to take on. You find the space to quiet the internal dialogue, agenda and chatter that we all carry around through the day. Find some peace in the chaos of a hectic world. Basically stay calm, move and breathe. This leads us to peace and clarity, even if only for the hour-long class, it’s enough to create some space between the go-go-go.
The qualities that can be cultivated on the mat and during the yoga practice do begin to ripple out into the rest of your existence. Staying calm in a stressful situation is an attribute that can support you in so many aspects of daily life. And that’s just the beginning. A yoga mat is a safe space to develop many qualities that you can carry off into the rest of your life. Work hard and the rewards and learning are all yours for the taking.
Jane Howell
Moksha Yoga
(778)-478-0933
If you are looking to reap the many benefits of yoga into your routine, whether it be to gain or maintain flexibility, strength or connection and awareness to self, finding the right practice for you is essential. Discover how yoga can benefit you by learning about the different styles and classes, whether it be hot yoga or not, finding a studio that best suits your needs is essential in keeping you on your journey to a healthy and a happy you!
If you have any questions, comments or training enquiries contact me directly at 250-859-2431 or learn more about me at www.profilefitnesstraining.com
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.