While the practice of yoga has been around for 5000+ years, continued popularity and awareness have brought increased attention to the benefits of yoga with diverse groups of people.
In the 1980's, yoga became a popular form of physical exercise and has evolved into a wide variety of styles over the years.
Yoga can help with our strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and stability.
Additionally, yoga may contribute to decreased stress and anxiety. By focusing our awareness on breath and mindfulness, we can calm our tissues and nervous systems.
And there is a sense of belonging within a group when we practice yoga with others.
All of these benefits can contribute to an improved sense of well-being and quality of life. These blend so beautifully with the calming benefits of Craniosacral Therapy.
A few weeks ago, I began my regular Monday evening yoga practice feeling a bit "off". After several minutes, it was clear that I could not comfortably or safely do the poses in the class. I chose to do what I've always kind of wanted to do in a yoga class...
I settled onto my mat in Shavasana (corpse pose), resting comfortably on my back with my arms by my sides, palms facing up. I began to focus on slow breaths. I started to feel calmer.
When the instructor checked in with me, I felt her compassion through her pace and breath. Then I felt compassion from the other yogis in class. The foundation of yoga is breath. We were breathing together and practicing yoga together even though I wasn't doing any poses. I felt so much better afterwards! We were in Community.
How do we benefit from being in Community?
We can share our concerns, our experience, strengths and resources.
Yoga can vary greatly from style, temperature, use of instruments, like crystal bowls or voices united in chants. There are almost an overwhelming amount of choices.
Here's a great way to navigate some choices, find ways to practice yoga with friends and be a part of a new and growing yoga community committed to mindful living.
One Breath Connected is a web-based application designed to create a global yoga community.
Participating yoga studios provide 1/2 price drop in rates once a month.
It's free for studios and yogis to join
OBC.
You can use this
link to easily sign up and start taking advantage of the benefits of the
OBC Community. Pass on this email and link to
your community.
One lucky community member will win
a
One Breath Connected
t-shirt by registering by
August 5, 2015.
