Photo Credit: Logan Weaver
1 – Improved brain function
2 – Lower stress levels
3 – Alter gene expression
4 – Increased flexibility
5 – Improved sexual function
And these are only after the first session.
I worked in an industry that was quite strenuous and hard on my body, sometimes you don’t even feel the muscle pain until you go on days off and have time to sit still.
Waking up in bed one morning not being able to move because of the severe pain my body was in was a real eye opener. I wasn’t getting any younger. Refusing to go see a doctor because I was on enough medication as is, suffering from Ulcerative Colitis.
I decided to go see a Biokineticist for a sport’s massage (which is extremely painful) and some explaining, as their primary function is to improve physical functioning and health care through exercise. He told me that the muscles around my spine were overdeveloped on the right side and were pulling everything in that direction causing the pain and discomfort.
After the massage I went to see my Sangoma (traditional healer) and she suggested I try Yoga but because of work commitments it’s hard to attend an actually class and the internet, being as resourceful as it is, came to my rescue.
I found and settled on Yoga with Adriene on Youtube and she had a 30 day Yoga challenge which I chose to use and challenge myself to do 30 minutes of Yoga a day for 30 days as an introduction into Yoga. Not gonna lie – Yoga is hard but it totally relaxes me and my back pain was almost no existent. Adriene is a brilliant instructor, quirky at time, but she makes you feel like it’s your buddy you grew up with from the neighbourhood teaching you Yoga and she doesn’t push you, she allows you to push yourself and remain comfortable.
When I got too day 10 I had a new found respect for Yogis. I was actually working up a sweat during my sessions. But my back felt good, I was totally relaxed and sleeping better at night. All I needed was a positive attitude and a Yoga mat. After 30 days I can confirm I was hooked and will be continuing my journey into Yogihood (made that up but it sounds cool).
Benefits after my sessions were brilliant but sticking with it I’ve notice some other results like:
1 – Lower blood pressure
2 – Improved lung capacity
3 – Reduced chronic and back pain
4 – Anxiety relief
5 – Lower blood sugar levels
With years of practice I would also be able to benefit from:
1 – Improve sense of balance
2 – Stronger bones
3 – Healthier weight
4 – And a lower risk of heart disease
5 – Improve mental health
I’m not into attending scheduled classes so I’ve subscribed to Adriene’s Youtube channel to have access to a Yoga classes at anytime of the day but I also found Bre and Flo from the Breathe and Flow Youtube channel.
They’re an amazing couple/pair of Yoga instructors who have shown me the importance of an ‘all rounded’ yoga practise that includes Yoga, Breathe work and Meditation.
There’s a so many other instructors but I’ve used these guys and I suggest you subscribe to their channels, it’s good channels for beginners like me and the benefits are endless.
Remember
Yoga is a journey through the self to the self
Never say Yogis are crazy hippies doing stretches and calling it exercises until you’ve actually tried it yourself.
If you have, leave a comment below as to how Yoga has helped you in your life.
