When you think of summer, you usually think of family vacations cross-country, bar-be-que, beaches, swimming, birthday parties and the usual running around on weekends to get all the chores done.
Between family, work and planning, sometimes you have no time left for you. This is where yoga can benefit the entire family.
Many people think of yoga as some ancient, Indian form of exercise that is nearly impossible to do. As not only a writer, mom and employee, I am also a yoga teacher who hears this belief the most: “I’m not flexible enough to do Yoga.” However, yoga is not about flexibility as that will come with your practice. Yoga is about breathing, which is something so many people have forgotten how to do.
In these rough economic times, three brave women have dared to open yoga studios in the Central Florida area to help people weather the emotional storms that consume the mind. Dr. Dacia Milescu has opened Serenity Now Yoga, Health and Wellness at 1385 West State Road 434 in Longwood, Amy Johnson-Chong opened Mindful Body at the corner of Horatio Avenue and 17-92 in Maitland, and Holly Hussey has opened Om Lab at 37 North Orange Avenue, 11th Floor, in downtown Orlando. All three women know the importance of what yoga can bring to the mind and body, both medically and emotionally.
Job stress, family stress, economic stress, and all the things that pile up on our shoulders every day affect the mind, which then affects the body. Stress builds up in our arteries, in our joints, in our ligaments, and in our muscles. Our breathing becomes shallow, denying our lungs the oxygen it needs, and when that happens, thinking and rationalization is directly affected when not enough oxygen is able to get to the heart and brain. Yoga is an hour away from everything. Yoga can guide you to a path that brings a happier, healthier you and when that happens, your life can be changed to a new path. Yoga is not about religion, nor is it about twisting yourself in to a pretzel to find enlightenment. It is about learning to breathe and learning to bring flexibility to the body.
It is important to take this time away from reality, even if it is just for one hour a week. Many yoga teachers tell their students to use this hour as their personal vacation. Your mind can take you anywhere as you energize from the asanas (positions) and relax into your yoga nidra (relaxation) at the end. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, or how you perceive yoga. There is no judgment in your practice, and there is no ego to worry about.
Take the time to try yoga out, not just for you, but for your family. Learn to breathe, explore your love, and find happiness in the smallest things. Imagine yoga as a smile on
Comments
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