How Has Yoga Impacted Your Life?
Oh my gosh, I LOVE this question!
I have been practicing and teaching yoga for so long that it has become such a huge part of my daily life and I take for granted how it has impacted me. So when someone at a networking event asked me this very question a few weeks ago, I was so excited to reflect back on all the positive changes throughout the last 20+ years!
To sum it up … I am …
Less anxious and more focused…
Less irritable and more patient....
Less judgy and more understanding (of myself and others)...
Less prone to injury and more flexible …
Less stressed and more happy!
And the list goes on and on!
But you don’t have to take my word for it (I mean, after all, I do teach yoga for a living!).
Here are a few amazing responses from the students at Serenity Yoga & Wellness!
“I feel so good and refreshed after each class. After starting I immediately recognized a big difference in my knees and other joints having less aches and pains. I’m performing better in sports too. Yoga has definitely helped me feel better, perform better, and look better too.” ~ Chris D.
“I have only been going to yoga for a few months. I am 70 years old and I am concerned about my balance. After attending several classes, which I love, I am beginning to see an improvement with my balance! I truly love the way I feel after a class; just a deep down good feeling, body and mind!” ~ Karen C.
“Yoga has impacted my life by increasing my flexibility, strength and helping to improve my overall issues with chronic back pain. I also feel more relaxed in general when I am able to practice on a regular basis.” ~ Alison G.
“How HASN’T yoga impacted my life?! For over a decade, yoga was just exercise - something to do on Tuesday morning when I wasn’t in an aerobics, boot camp, step, or weight class. A couple years ago, it turned into “my yoga practice”… a mindful, slow-your-roll, box-breathing, meditative practice. Recently I shared with new yogi friends that I am now a calmer person. They all laughed and I had to clarify “calm-ER, not calm”. My old friends can see that I have changed, that I’m less high-strung, less neurotic, more at peace, trimmer. Overall, I’m in a healthier place - mentally, physically, emotionally. Yoga has helped me quiet the noise and din. Squirrels still run around in my head. But less chaotically and fewer in number. They scramble around more playfully now. Sometimes they stop and practice yoga with me, even if only for a moment before they dash off!” ~ Donna F.
“I feel as though yoga has enhanced and extended my life for years. My muscles are stronger and more supple and remain so in my senior years - even with arthritis. An added benefit is the community of like-minded people, some of whom have become personal friends.” ~ Sandra D.
“Yoga isn't just a practice for me, it's a way of life. It helps with stress, balance, strengthens body muscles, feels relaxing and makes me happy. The after effects of yoga and the camaraderie of yoga people are perfect.” ~ Nancy G.
“My journey began about 16 years ago as I was preparing to retire. Yoga always sounded like something I would like to try and so I did! The physical benefit from my practice has been so important to my health as I have aged. However, that is not the only benefit. The people that I have come to know from all walks of life have been such a joy. Our brief encounters on our mats is always a pleasure. Each and every teacher has their own way of expressing their love of yoga. They always bring us to a calm and peaceful place before we leave our mat to go out and face our day. That is how yoga has impacted my life.” ~ Maureen D.
“I feel a sense of community, acceptance and love being around others that want to be present with their body, mind and spirituality. Everyone creates an atmosphere of love and healing at Serenity. I have loved everyone I have interacted with, students and teachers.” ~Vanessa F.
“ I had always been curious about yoga, but not sure how to start. When I was placed back into a kindergarten classroom, after years of teaching older elementary grades, I was concerned that my body wouldn’t be able to handle it-the constant bending down, the need to be on my feet. Then my dear friend invited me to a class over the summer where I was welcomed by the instructor, and she showed modifications for all the poses with kindness and compassion. After taking several classes with her, I branched out to other instructors, each accepting me for who I was and encouraging me to take risks. I was hooked and started practicing 2 times a week, eventually expanding my membership to unlimited. My husband noticed an immediate difference in how calm and “zen” I would seem after practice. My colleagues noticed that I appeared slimmer and that I was stronger. I found that I was able to do difficult things and have more patience with those around me. But what I was most surprised at, is that I found friends; people I could meet with at the Thirsty Mind for a smoothie, or go out with on a Saturday night. Yoga has not only changed my physical body, my spiritual mindset, but impacted my social life. I am so thankful for such an accepting studio full of friends who support me in this journey called life.” ~ Lisa L.
So tell us, how has yoga impacted your life? Leave a comment below! We’d love to hear about your experiences too!