But what are the benefits?
You know that yoga is "good for you." But what does that mean?
I tend to think of the basics, like better balance, muscle tone and flexibility, along with ease of mind, solid sleep and menopause management (maybe that's just me ;).
So it was fun to look through my special email folder of comments from members and see how diverse and personal the benefits are...
Here's a handful of the many comments that have been shared with me in the past year:
I've been having neck pain for the past week, and after class today, it was gone!
I feel more confident in my body because I've tried things I never would have before... and I surprised myself that I could do them!
I love the videos so much. It gets me to set aside the time, ask myself at that moment what I need, and find what I need in the videos.
My little lavender eye pillow was soaked with tears as you read the just-right poem. How gentle and warm you have been when gentle and warm have been exactly what I have needed. How welcoming, how open, how compassionate during what has been for me the hardest of times.
Yoga has made a big difference to what I can do now in retirement - such a difference in my posture after spending years over a laptop and this is the first year since my 40s that I will be able to ski the whole mountain because of the strength and range of motion I have!
In a typical class, people have to look the same. But here I have permission to do what's best for me. It's not simon-says.
On zoom, I'm not looking at what other people are doing, and that gives me permission to do what I want to do.
I've been able to grow without hurting myself.
I can turn around in the car to look over my shoulder in my blind spot -- I couldn't do that before.
This yoga is mental, emotional and spiritual -- not just physical.
Over time, my practice has changed -- how I push my body or not -- and practicing with you has evolved with me. I feel nurtured here.
Thank you for creating this community! It wasn't something I thought I wanted, but seeing the same faces and having a diverse age range is so great and I love it.
This reminds me to be more mindful in my other practices like spin class. They don't always remind you about form - you get in, you work hard and you leave. Versus the mindfulness that I get here. It carries into other parts of my life.
Before IAY, I was doing "some" self care and tried to exercise with varying success. Now I meditate daily and exercise -- with excitement! -- multiple times a week.
I look forward to exercising and coming to class. That's completely new for me.
Do you relate to any of these? Which stand out for you?
Now a couple of questions for you:
✨ What type of practice/exercise are doing consistently?
✨ What are the benefits or effects in your life?
✨ What does your mind/body/spirit need this season?
These may seem like basic questions, but I find we often don't take the time to ASK if something is actually working.
Or to be honest about what our body really needs.
Or appreciate the full effect it's having in our lives.
Happy November to you 🍁,
