Why Yoga?

Why should you take your “fun” time after work and come to a yoga studio to do a mind body practice like yoga when you could be hanging out with your friends sipping the latest and greatest Pinot, or you could be at home helping your kid with their homework, which is hard enough to follow, given the memory loss thing.

Yoga is a hidden jewel in the “modern day fitness smorgasbord of possibilities”. But why not just go to body pump or boot camp? The main reason is yoga offers strength as well as a deep stretch in all aspects of our being. Some styles of yoga offer an aerobic component as well.

The emphasis in a yoga class, taught by a seasoned teacher, is on the presence of breath. Engaging in each pose with the support of the breath allows the body to open more, and with greater flow of oxygen the mind tends to soften from the inner chatter and underlying anxiety.

Most importantly students find an inner calm from yoga that is often called “the yoga glow”! This state of peacefulness begins to settle our nervous system. It is much like walking through a beautiful forest. As we persevere through poses that are new to our body we focus on coordinating the breath with body mechanics to achieve the fullness of the exercise. The training begins when we stay calm during a challenging moment on our mat.

Often we run or distract ourselves from difficult situations. Yoga builds our muscular strength as well as anchors our emotional body. Yoga trains us to maintain an open and peaceful mind in the midst of difficult situations. The ability to remember to pause and breathe carries us when challenges arise. Instead of running, getting aggressive or blaming we just pause, breathe, center, and feel.

The benefits of a regular yoga practice are in the inner calm, which slowly becomes part of our everyday mind body. Staying present in a moment is the real practice of yoga.

Oh and I forgot the most sellable part, not only do you feel great you look great too…… from the inside out!!!

Be the Change You Want to See!!

Darcy Elman

Owner Blue Iris Studio

3485 El Camino Real

Palo Alto, CA 94306

(650) 858-1440

www.blueirisstudiopaloalto.com