Working out always seems so monotonous to people who generally don’t work out at all. If you’re like me, you have to be either really bored or dragged along by a friend to even place foot in a gym. But, to me, yoga wasn’t like this at all, so here’s why.
1. Yoga is relaxing.
There are so many different ways that instructors choose to run their yoga classes and it all depends on the instructor’s preference. But the main focus of every instructor is for you to feel relaxed, not judged and relieved of stress when you leave the class that day.
2. It's not your normal workout.
As I’ve said before, every class is different, there are some classes in which you will spend most of your time doing sun salutations. But, then again, there are other times when you will be asked to bring a blanket and pillow to class because that class will be focused on revitalizing your mind and body for the rest of your day.
3. It actually builds muscle.
Surprise! Yoga butts are real. Before I joined a yoga class I had trouble with cellulite along my legs, as well as on my butt, but believe it or not, it’s gone! This is with only taking a yoga class two days a week, imagine how much someone could do to change their body if they did poses for at least half an hour every day. Yoga works wonders people.
4. Stretching is wonderful.
Stretching is one of the best things you can do for your body. My yoga instructor this semester constantly told us how important it was to stretch your body every day. Not only does it help with your posture, but it will also help you when you’re older. Don’t we all fear getting old and not being able to use our bodies in the same way we used to?
5. There's no pressure to push yourself farther than you can.
Something else that my instructor emphasized was that you do not have to push yourself any farther than you felt you should. Now, at first I was like “ha, yeah right. Everyone will laugh at me if I move from one leg in the air in downward dog to child's pose.” But that’s not true! Of course, the instructor will notice that you changed positions, but no one else bats an eye. The main focus of the instructor is to show you what you can do and the instructor understands that not each and every body is built the same way.
6. Relaxation time is the best.
At the end of each class period the instructor would allow is to lay down and turn off all of the lights for about five minutes. During this time you could actually feel how much good you have done for your body during the class. The deep breathing and soothing music actually put me to sleep a few times. Who doesn’t like a quick cat nap?
7. Deep breathing.
Yoga classes aren’t just taken for the work out, in some cases they are taken for singers to learn to control their breath. It also helps you to focus on your breathing rather than the difficulty of the pose that you are in. Which will later help you in different work outs to push yourself the extra mile during cardio.
8. Lifting your body is better than lifting weights.
You never realize how much you can do to help your body with your body. The only things I ever needed to bring to yoga class were my mat and tie. The instructor actually provided me with a tie and we grabbed a yoga block before class began.
9. You have an excuse to wear yoga pants at least one or two days a week.
Do I really need to explain this one? All of you should understand this on a spiritual level.
10. Yoga is fun, relaxing, and worth every second.
My yoga instructor would always say “your body will thank you later in life for what you do during yoga class.” I believe 100 percent that one day it will; yoga helps not only to build health physically, but also mentally. Once you’ve finished a yoga class, you can always take home what you’ve learned and continue outside of class.
Contact your local Life Center or schedule a class next semester (that’s what I did) and give yoga a shot! You won’t regret it.
Namaste.
