Yoga: The Perfect Practice For The Pursuit Of Your Authentic life
I just completed my 118th class of hot yoga and I can say it is the most impactful workout practice I’ve had–I’ve done p90x, Insanity, CrossFit, Globo gyms, TRX, Peloton, and Tonal (that last two, along with traditional weightlifting are still in my routine). I haven’t done them all but I’ve experimented with many, have enjoyed them all, and have had great results, but yoga has impacted me on a deeper level.
It wasn’t always this way, especially in the beginning, but yoga has become the perfect combination of a spiritual, mental, and physical workout, which just happens to line up with the connection of spirit, mind, and body that is vital to the pursuit of our authentic lives.
If you’re like me, you might struggle to make the connection between spirit and mind when you are first getting started. The names of the poses are new (and sometimes difficult to understand), your lack of mobility will quickly be felt, and while the poses may look easy to hold you’ll realize immediately the workout yoga really is. And if you go the hot yoga route, adjusting to the heat might be a challenge (I love it).
Early on there will be a lot of thinking, watching, and second-guessing but just like with all things, you will see improvement with more reps and eventually arrive at a point where you think less, are present with poses, and are able to just focus on your breath… this is when yoga begins to become meditative along with physical.
Every 60 min class is a tremendous workout but it is also another opportunity to meditate and find a still mind. I’ve heard running can bring the same meditative state but I’ve never enjoyed running–I’ve committed to rewiring my subconscious to become a runner this spring, so there might be a pro-running post later this.
Yoga is one of the few practices anyone can do–it doesn’t matter your level of fitness, activity level, or age.
Every pose can be modified allowing the practice to meet you wherever you might be, and with the physical combined with the spiritual and mental benefits, yoga is the perfect practice for the pursuit of your authentic life. It doesn’t have to be your only physical routine–I still ride our Peloton and either do a Tonal workout or lift weights as the benefits of weightlifting are undeniable as well–but it should be a part of your routine.
If you are serious about the pursuit of your authentic life, I encourage you to give yoga a try.
There are plenty of great videos and programs on YouTube for free, low-cost online programs, and studios in your community. You will get a great physical workout, improve your flexibility and balance (important for your later years and avoiding falls), be challenged mentally to push further or hold longer in your poses, and eventually connect to the workouts spiritually as you find stillness in your poses.
Namaste!
See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,
JC
