The Benefits of Yoga … Just Breathe

Yoga is a unique activity which benefits the body both physically and mentally.  To begin, I would like to share with you that there are an enormous amount of benefits to yoga, both on and off the mat. What is yoga? Why practice yoga?   Most importantly how can yoga improve your life?   Practicing yoga helps get me to that place of peace, calm, serenity and happiness. 

 Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means, “to yoke” or “union, connection or relationship.” Through the process of yoga, one connects to the mind, breath, body and spirit to become “whole” and attain a higher level of being. When you practice yoga, you connect to your own innate power to improve your life. 

The practice of yoga has many different interpretations. Today, I would like to focus on the benefits of the breath.  When we practice yoga we connect the breath to our posture (asana).  Controlling your breathing is an important part of yoga because your breath signifies your vital energy. Yoga teaches that controlling your breathing can help you control your body and quiet your mind. During yoga your focus is on the breath providing more oxygen-rich air for your body and also more energy with less fatigue. Breath control also helps to strengthen the nervous system. 

I’d like to give you an example of taking this practice off the mat.  Let’s say you’re in the grocery store which means you’re in a hurry and yes the person in front of you in the checkout line has 12 items in their cart in what is supposed to be a ten items or less line.  Tapping into our yoga skills, and instead of letting my frustration get the best of me, I’m going to take this time standing in line to connect to my breath, deep inhalation followed by deep exhalation.  You might want to add a mantra, say to yourself “I’m breathing in calmness,” (inhale) “I’m breathing out stress,” (exhale).  Guess what, it really works; yoga is called a practice because we are constantly practicing, moving in the direction of tranquility.  Consider starting your yoga practice the next time you’re frustrated in the grocery line, think of all the positive energy you will be vibrating. 

If you would like to learn more about yoga, please feel free to join us Wednesdays at 5:45pm at Jacobs Well in Evergreen Park.  Starting September 6th I will be offering a 9:30am class at Jacobs Well. 

Joan Zigulich is a Certified Hatha, Children and Family Yoga Instructor.  My mission is to introduce the wonderful benefits of yoga allowing the student to practice both on and off the mat. I teach classes at Jacobs Well in Evergreen Park. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss how to incorporate the practice of yoga into your life, yogapathway@yahoo.com   or "LIKE" Yoga Pathway on Facebook.