Why consider yoga?

Yoga is a broad umbrella term encompassing many different practices. From vinyasa to hatha to yin yoga, there truly is a type of practice to suit every individual out there and meet them where they are. In a typical hatha or vinyasa class the teacher will instruct movements through various poses and stretches matched to the rhythm of the breath and offer nuggets of affirmations or meditative moments.

For me yoga is not just about moving through various poses incorporating my breath, but ultimately and more importantly it offers the chance to slow down a racing mind and feel present in that moment for what feels like the first time that day. It creates a moment of pause in an otherwise overstimulating world. The final relaxation in yoga, also called Savasana offers a respite from the real world in which you can connect deeply to yourself and your body.

A practice that meets you where you are

Yoga unlike many other sports truly begins from whatever place you show up in. Whether you have exercised every day for the past five years or it is the first time you have stretched in months yoga is designed to be accessible for all. A sign of a great yoga teacher is one that can adapt classes to any level and any individual, making space for modification, rest and choice. Yoga can be rehabilitation for injuries (it is important to tell your instructor your injuries beforehand!) and is also suitable for individuals of all stages of life. All the way from children to older adults, yoga can offer something valuable to everyone. Yoga offers a chance to slow down, listening to on your own body and moving from a place of respect and care for your own body.

Why is it biologically good for me?

Yoga is a useful tool to switch our nervous systems from fight or flight into rest and digest. This can support individuals to feel less stressed or anxious and can improve wellbeing overall. Beyond supporting the mind, yoga can also benefit general digestion, sleep overall, posture and inflammation levels. Yoga helps to improve self-esteem and encourages a kinder relationship with your body. Research shows that women, on average, report higher levels of stress and anxiety. This difference isn’t about emotional weakness, but rather a mix of biology and lived experience. One contributing factor may be hormones: testosterone, which is typically higher in men, has been shown to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. Hormonal influences, combined with social and environmental pressures, help explain why stress and anxiety can be experienced differently across sexes. We all know that stress can take a toll on the body, but yoga offers a practical way to change how we experience it.

Menstrual cycles and yoga

Yoga offers a rare opportunity to ebb and flow with your monthly menstrual cycle rather than against it. Every month hormonal levels fluctuate, affect energy levels, mood and the nervous system. Modern day exercise does not take into account the different stages of the menstrual cycle an individual may be experiencing. Yoga with stronger, more challenging poses may feel best during high energy phases. However, slower more grounded and rooted poses may feel better during lower energy phases such as during menstruation. By encouraging awareness as an alternative to performance, yoga helps to cultivate a deeper understanding of what your body needs each day. This helps to reframe movement as a form of care rather than a punishment. It is important to listen to how your body feels in that moment on the mat and not compare yourself to those around you or yourself, a pose maybe easily done one day but challenging the next day, listening and respecting your bodies boundaries is a great lesson from yoga.

How yoga can help you build a better relationship with yourself

Introducing awareness into a movement practice can be life changing. Watching your body intentionally move you through challenging poses offers a new perspective of admiration, love and acceptance. For many of us, a yoga class is the first time that day we shift our attention from everything going on in our outside world inwards, towards our breath, the sensations in our body and the emotions we feel. Often teachers will ask questions that make you really think. Such as ‘how are you feeling today?’. It’s a simple question we hear every day yet rarely take the time to answer truthfully. Noticing that sometimes the answer to this question is an enthusiastic “great” and other times this question brings up unexpected emotion. Awareness of how I feel and how my body feels in a certain moment is a very special gift that yoga gives me.

More than a workout

With the modernisation and commercialisation of yoga in the Western world comes this idea that yoga can be turned into “yoga sculpt” or “iron yoga” emerge, moving away from ancient traditions focusing on matching the breath to the body. In my opinion, this movement has really started to take away the essence of yoga. For many individuals, yoga is all about the mental impact and less so about the physical. Yoga is really a very different form of movement to the classic high intensity forms. Unlike modern exercise regimes, yoga is not rooted in productivity, punishment or aesthetics. Yoga supports recovery in overstimulated and overtired bodies.

Carrying yoga off the mat

Benefits of a great yoga practice show up in moments of your everyday life. Yoga teaches you a calmness and patience I have spent my whole life trying to find. For example, what happens when you miss a train and have to wait ten minutes? A non-practising individual might get upset or annoyed, but yoga often helps you process moments like these in life knowing you can breathe through it and everything will be okay. It helps you reinforce slow breathing and activation of your parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system. Yoga offers you a unique superpower to be adaptable in real life, something I know I had none of before.

How do I begin?

If yoga sounds like a new practice you may enjoy, it is definitely worth checking out any local classes in your area. Often yoga studios offer beginner-friendly classes to get you acquainted and familiar with the poses, the breathing and the general flow of a class. Starting with slower practices such as yin, hatha, or gentle flow classes allows you to move at your own pace and build confidence, while giving your body and nervous system time to adapt. Vinyasa and more physically demanding styles can be a great next step once you feel comfortable with foundational movements.

It’s normal to feel a little intimidated at first. But everyone starts somewhere and yoga is about meeting yourself where you are and not comparing yourself to others in the room. Looking on YouTube for beginner friendly videos is also a great way to try it out without huge cost or expense. The most important thing is to approach yoga with curiosity and patience, letting yourself enjoy the practice rather than focusing on “doing it right”.