By Bronwyn Ison
By definition yoga means, union. Yoga is union of the mind, body and spiritual science of self. The genesis of yoga refers to India with Indian sage, Patanjali. Yoga is a 5,000-year-old practice. People tend to think yoga is a series of exercises. While this is true the practice of yoga is far enhanced. Yoga happens to be one the fastest growing forms of exercise in the country. Yet, it is important to not disregard the mind and spiritual aspect of the practice.
More than twenty million people in the United States are practicing yoga. Fortunately anyone can commence yoga at any stage in life. It is never to late or to early to begin a practice. Approaching your mat for the first time may render apprehensive feelings. To ease your mind you should know there is no judgment and competition is obsolete. The beauty of this practice is that you will immerse your mind, body and spirit. The physical and moving part of the practice will challenge your muscles and bones to work in ways that will be unusual to you at first. Your mind will calm and your spirit will open. One should be drawn to the mat knowing you will encompass so much in one discipline. As a yoga teacher and practitioner of 14 years I simply could not imagine not incorporating yoga as a part of my life. Physically I feel amazingly strong and healthy. Mentally I feel confident. Spiritually I am grounded. There are so many moving parts to the practice that it never tires. One continually grows each time you approach your mat.
The health benefits of yoga are beyond temporal. Health practitioners are beginning to prescribe yoga more and more to their patients. As a studio owner new students repeatedly tell me, “my doctor recommend I take up yoga.” While you don’t have to have a health concern to lead you to a yoga mat, it is refreshing to learn doctors are referring their patients. Yoga reaps benefits to just about every health concern. Most commonly I hear of high blood pressure, arthritis, stress, back pain, and the list continues. Once you adopt a practice you will likely see the world from a different perspective. You may change your diet, your mindset, how you conduct yourself, how you approach your personal life and this list continues.
You will never regret stepping onto a yoga mat. It is gratifying in so many ways that you will be drawn to your mat over and again. You will continue to step foot onto your mat because you will soon begin to feel the mind, body and spirit connection. Once you step upon a mat, you will never go back.
Bronwyn Ison ~ Owner of Evolve Yoga in La Quinta. www.e-volveyoga.com or (760) 564-YOGA (9642)
