Why is Yoga good for everyone? Because it can be practiced is a multitude of different ways from modification for physical asana, to conventional and contemporary mediation practices, breathing exercises and through Service to others and Spiritual dedication if so chosen. In fact there are 8 different ways to practice Yoga and three of them mentioned above vary within themselves. For more information on the Eight Limbs of Yoga I recommend reading Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar or visit www.expressionofspirit.com William Doran does a pretty good job of breaking it down for you.

Specifically though for this blog post, I would like to talk about the Asana or physical poses that you know as "yoga class" ;) The main reason people don't start Yoga is, " I'm not very flexible...." To that I say, that you can't become flexible if you don't stretch. First, let me say that there are SO many classes to try that the possibilities are endless! Chair Yoga, Laughing Yoga ( Yeah it's a thing!) Face Yoga, Vinyasa flow, Asthanga, Prenatal, Kids, Partner, Gentle, Yin, Hot, Paddle Board, Goat, Swing and For Athletes Yoga.... to name just a few;) I mean you name it and you can design a Yoga class around it!

Yoga is not about the tight pants, being skinny or selfies for ultra cool poses(though there might be classes for that too lol!) --the truth is that not many of us in the non-yoga circuit will achieve these accolades without complete devotion and targeted practice. Yoga is about finding your breath, you know...the one you hold all day, somehow plowing through all the stress to go home to more stress. It's about finding that breath, with movement and sometimes without movement. It's about not fearing the silence, challenging your body to stretch and strengthen in a safe way and using your breath to support you through the difficulty of any of or a combination of the above.  Modifications are made because our bodies are different from each others. There is no such thing as being "too big", " too tall", "too short", or for God sakes "not bendy enough"--lol!

In my classes we joke, " It's a Yoga thing..." and through practice this phrase will come to make sense to you. Most people begin Yoga as simple exercise that 'does not require a lot of exertion...' Well a few things happen once they start....First, they find out that they are misinformed...lol! Holding poses is not difficulty, but not as easy at it looks either. The biggest part of this is the stillness and the lack of strength they never knew they had and the breathing....oh the breathing! At the end of class, "Oh that was easy or I don't feel any different...." said no one EVER! In fact most look like that have just woken from a nice long nap or sipped happy juice.

So the second thing that happens is that people are equally surprised at how relaxed and uplifted they feel at the end of class--and this leads them to come again...and again... and again. People want that "aahhh" feeling--that, "OMG I feel so chill right now." feeling. The,"Wow, My________(insert body part here) doesn't hurt or feels better."

The third thing that comes with Yoga practice is that this "good feeling" carries past the class, past the hours after class, and into people's everyday life!--Yes, it really does happen.

This is the peacefulness that is experienced and manifests within those who practice Yoga and this spreads to the world via the light that ignites in those who practice. Think about it. When you feel balanced and peaceful within, you effect those around you and the behavior of other affects you less. You learn self-care and realize the importance of your practice. You love your self and in turn spread that love to others(without eve trying). This is the " It's a Yoga thing..." and the only way to experience it is to practice. The physical and emotional benefits of Yoga are AMAZING and endless.

My classes are 1 hour and 30 minutes to incorporate community. We decompress and put all that doesn't serve us (aka the BS) at the corner of our mat. You can share or just listen. No pressure. We create the energy of the class together as we move through our shared practice. We never judge, we breathe through our discomfort and trustand listen to our bodies. We strengthen muscle to help us heal our weaknesses. We honor our bodies and at gentle with them. We do become more fit, healthy and calm minded. And we never take ourselves too seriously!--we laugh and have fun while cultivating our practice.

There is no prerequisite for Yoga. It is a Practice you build on from where you are when you start. YOU are a beautiful soul candle and Yoga lights your flame, then you shine--just shine!