Are you ready to plunge into yoga?

Walking into my first yoga class I was nervous. I had no idea what to expect aside from images I had seen on TV. Would I fall? Would I look stupid? Would I be flexible enough?

I think the teacher could sense my intimidation and told me "if you're breathing, you're doing yoga. That's all I want you to focus on today, just breathing.".

I've held onto those words to this day. Despite this "westernization" of Yoga, at its core Yoga is truly just about the breath. It is to be practiced not just for the 60 minutes or so you are on your mat, but throughout every aspect of your life.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word which literally means “to yoke,” or to join together. Yoga is about connection. Connecting the breath to the body, the body to the mind, the mind to the heart. Yoga is about the meditation and connection with the body that comes with blending breath with movement. The asanas (or poses) are a preparation for the body to be in a calm state to allow for this union of breath to body. The flexibility that we think of with yoga will come with practice but it is not goal.

So don't let intimidation keep you from gaining all the benefits that come with a yoga practice. Remember if you can breath you can do yoga.

The light within me honors the light within you.

Connect with your light.

Namaste.

#beginnersyoga #yogapractice #namaste #breath