Even as a yoga beginner, I've gained a wealth of knowledge from the practice. In each asana, I have found peace with my circumstances and with myself. This article is for everyone whose lives yoga has touched and those who have yet to begin their journey!
1. Your practice is unique.
What you do between the very first breaths and final shavasana is completely up to you.
In the majority of my experiences, beginner and advanced students have practiced side by side without judgment. The beauty of yoga is that it is not a performance. Even when practiced with others, it is entirely individual. Whether you need a second (or a few minutes) in child’s pose or want to take your relationship with gravity to the next level with inversions, you have the freedom to do so. Your practice is exactly what you need. On those sluggish days, it is gentle invigoration. On the days in which you conquer the world, it is fuel to your fire.
2. What a difference an hour makes.
Warning: yoga has been known to cause health and happiness!
During my battle with a stubborn bout of depression and anxiety, yoga was a way to center myself and create a space free of disordered thinking. When I felt apathetic and self-pitying, I sacrificed my ego. When my passions drained out of me, I was reenergized by the challenges yoga presented. Let it be known that yoga cannot cure depression, but can act as an extra tool in your recovery tool belt. It is a fantastic supplement to unlearning harmful thought patterns and behaviors.
3. You are stronger than you think.
Mentally and physically, you are powerful.
Yoga has positive implications for strength, flexibility, and mobility, but the most important aspect lies within. Because its roots are based in spirituality, is important to ground yourself in the sanctity of the practice. The breath, or pranayama, is just as important as the movement itself. It is in the blend of breath and movement that you become mentally strong, gaining an unshakable peace of mind through non-attachment, and a return to childlike joy in flowing through the movements.
4. There is a light in each and every one of us.
Yoga fosters a sense of community in shared spirituality.
"The light in me honors the light in you." Yoga brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and creeds. I love “yoga culture” because it is founded on love and inclusivity. There is no weight requirement or pre-screening exam. You are accepted simply because you have chosen to practice. I have experienced a rich positivity from all of the classes I've attended at UD and in studios at home. I've been inspired by passionate teachers and willing students, and am eager to continue deepening my practice alongside them.
Namaste.
