Mind, Body, and Soul: Benefits of Yoga

It has been nearly 8 years since I set foot in a yoga studio, but last week I did just that. Part of the get back to being me lifestyle change this year I suppose, that and sleeping 8 hours a night, which by the way I have been pretty good about so far. When I first decided to take yoga I really had no idea what it was. I thought everyone sat around relaxing and meditating.

Boy was I wrong but in a completely wonderful way. Yes, yoga is relaxing but it also strengthens the body, makes it more flexible, and like most forms of exercise is a terrific stress reliever. It does all this through a series of asanas or active poses, breathing exercises or pranayamas, which are passive poses.

What I like best about taking a yoga class however is that I feel like I am back in touch with my body. Instead of feeling hunched over from sitting at a computer all day, I'm sitting straighter and standing taller. My stomach is more taut, my legs stronger, and even the face peering out at me from the mirror appears more relaxed than it was before class.