10 Sweet & Simple Tips for New Yoga Students.
- By Stacie Dooreck
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- 16 Aug, 2019
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When I was in high school in New York I had a neck injury that caused great discomfort.
When suggested to do yoga, I tried it from a Lilias Folan VHS tape, since this was before the days of seeing yoga studios all over. Within one 30 minute video session my months of prior neck pain as well as other tensions and anxieties completely vanished.
I was hooked right away and continued to practice daily 30 minutes after my high school classes.
Although my neck pain had vanished, I felt a deep peace after each practice session so when I was in college I continued to practice daily in my dorm room, memorizing the video sequence I practiced in high school and then using the Sivananda Companion to Yoga book, where I learned my first 1.5 hour sequence. Eventually, because my father was practicing yoga already, by the time I was in college I knew where to go to attend my first class: the Sivananda Yoga Center in NYC. This included the full aspects of hatha yoga, which started each class with mantras, chanting and breathing techniques to create energy and balance the nervous system.Read More >
Inhale: 1-2-3-4-5. Exhale: 1-2-3-4-5. If you’ve been doing breathing exercises to feel calmer, happier, and more focused, you know how soothing yoga is.
Despite being an ancient practice, yoga has become increasingly popular, and for good reason. It is suitable for people of all ages and effective for treating chronic conditions.
Interestingly, scientists have discovered that this practice has several mental health benefits. Let’s explore the relationship between yoga and well-being, as well as the evidence-based benefits of yoga.
Winter is here, it is that time of the year again when waking up early and practicing yoga becomes a difficult task and mostly ends up compromising it for an hour of extra sleep. But there are lesser-known facts about why we should practice yoga during winters and how it benefits us.
Spring is nature’s rebirth. Every year, when the soft green buds and the delicate pink blossoms appear on the cherry trees, we are given the opportunity to renew ourselves. In our yoga practice, this can be through a physical detox, a mental reboot or both.
So, it’s THAT time of year again. The cards are out, flowers and chocolates in the shops, and the candlelit tables are all booked up weeks in advance. With good reason, many of us find it all rather superficial and insincere. Perhaps some of us might join the cynical chorus asking why we need a specific day to express our affection for someone else. We may even go as far as to accuse the the forces of capitalism of driving demand for “stuff”. But I’m not here to monologue on the meaningfulness of St. Valentine’s Day, and I’m certainly not here to criticise anyone for wanting to express themselves or to show affection for someone else (we all need to be doing this more, not less).
Can yoga reduce anxiety?Yes! Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of yoga in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. In one study, women who participated in a three-month yoga program experienced significant improvements in perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. In another study, ten weeks of yoga helped reduce stress and anxiety for participants.
Happy New Year yogis! I’ve often found this time of year to be especially powerful in enhancing my yoga practice. Of course, yoga is always a powerful practice, but the gift of the new year brings deep reflection and introspection that can amplify processes of self-inquiry, expanding our spiritual awareness and commitment to yogic living.
