When Yoga Is Not Competition But Challenge To The Body And Mind – SheThePeople
Posted: February 26, 2020 at 8:43 am
Joining a group fitness activity can be very intimidating, especially when you are a late bloomer with questionable fitness levels, like me. In the initial days after joining yoga, I often felt a childish happiness at the possibility of being able to bunk a class. Every time I looked around, from the way people carried and placed their mats to the way they held their postures I got overwhelmed. I could not hold my own body weight. The conversations around the journey from XL to L to M were even more discouraging. I never felt the high that people claimed exercising gives.
Nobody I know will ever consider me as remotely athletic, I have never had any misgivings in this regard either. However, I was at a point in life where fitness had to be embraced, there was no other way out. I have been practising yoga regularly, more or less, for the last two years now. In the last six months, my relationship status with yoga has undergone a metamorphosis. We now have a love-hate relationship.
Also Read:Padma Shree Awardee Yoga Grandma Nanammal Passes Away At 99
I have realized you are as strong in yoga as your mind is. The epiphany first came on the day I could feel a Khumbak (retention or holding the breath, a state where there is no inhalation or exhalation) and enjoyed it after Kapalabhati (pranayama). As you sit with your eyes closed it was a happy place to be in, what needed to be accomplished was accomplished and what was to be achieved next was away. Since then it has been my favourite zone. A friend had once compared this state to the time you take in deciding between two books, especially when you have just finished reading a very good one. You want to savour that aftertaste.
Now yoga classes have become more about me and my mind, the outside is not intimidating anymore. To achieve a posture all you need is a pact with your mind and I realized this on the day the eldest person in my yoga batch did a headstand. She was the first one in the group. It also brought back the joy of celebrating together and admiring each others journeys. I have learnt to look beyond the competition and push my body. Of course, none of this can be attained without a good teacher who opens your mind first and then literally handholds you through this journey.
So, am I a changed being? I definitely feel better in my own body. However, I still have days when there are aches and pains which make it impossible to get out of bed. I succumb too. But I also take my body and my mind more seriously. I am still learning to know the difference between my mind giving up and saying no, not today. I am more in sync with myself and try to achieve a Khumbhak in most things I do.
Also read:Govt Institutions, Corporate Bodies May Introduce Yoga Breaks
At the end of a yoga class, you always do a Shavasana when you lie down after a rigorous session, you relax and rejuvenate and are ready to brave the world. You have earned that brief time to yourself because you have sweat it out and that has been the best lesson I have learnt in self-love. I now pat my back whenever I think I have outdone myself.
The views expressed are the authors own.
Excerpt from:
When Yoga Is Not Competition But Challenge To The Body And Mind - SheThePeople
- Yoga Has a Diversity ProblemBlack-Owned Studios Are Changing That - Glamour - January 5th, 2021
- Malaika Arora nails this balancing yoga pose; heres how you can do it too - The Indian Express - January 5th, 2021
- Did 2020 mark the demise of yoga in America? - Salon - January 5th, 2021
- The Art of Yoga - outsmartmagazine.com - January 5th, 2021
- I practiced yoga every day for a month, and I learned a valuable lesson about listening to my body - Insider - INSIDER - January 5th, 2021
- Three ways the Yoga industry can thrive in our Covid-19 world - Stuff.co.nz - January 5th, 2021
- Malaika Arora kickstarts New Year workout with Yoga inside pool and we are in awe of her balance - Hindustan Times - January 5th, 2021
- Yoga, Sicily, and wine-tasting among library's offerings in January - The Local Ne.ws - January 5th, 2021
- Love doing yoga? Here are six winter practices to incorporate into your everyday life - The Indian Express - January 5th, 2021
- Yoga- The scientific approach to religion - Daily Excelsior - January 5th, 2021
- Mayo Clinic Q&A: The health benefits of yoga - Reading Eagle - January 5th, 2021
- Yoga Instructor Gives Tips for a Healthy New Year - FOX 21 Online - January 5th, 2021
- 14 New Years Eve Meditation and Yoga Classes You Can Stream Online - Well+Good - January 5th, 2021
- Afro Yoga Allies Is Launched to Support BIPOC - PR Web - January 5th, 2021
- 10 Useful Naturopathy And Yoga Tips For Diabetics in Winters - India.com - January 5th, 2021
- Topeka yoga teacher will start 2021 by offering 21-day meditation series - The Topeka Capital-Journal - January 5th, 2021
- Jessica Alba Swears by Pilates, HIIT, and Hot Yoga for Strong, Sculpted Abs at 39 - Prevention.com - January 5th, 2021
- Astro Yoga Combines Astrology and YogaHeres How To Practice It - Well+Good - January 5th, 2021
- From goat yoga to professional play, these people took risks and found their purpose through passion - Upworthy - January 5th, 2021
- We asked an influencer, yoga teacher, and others how their pandemic pivots went - The Verge - December 17th, 2020
- A FeetUp Trainer To Invest In Yoga and Mental Health At Home - The Daily Beast - December 17th, 2020
- How to ease stress with eye yoga: Celebrity yoga teacher Koya Webb - Insider - INSIDER - December 17th, 2020
- The New You: The many benefits of yoga - WKYC.com - December 17th, 2020
- New Fitness Businesses That Opened in Philadelphia Amid the Pandemic - Philadelphia magazine - December 17th, 2020
- Benefits of embarking on a yoga retreat - Travel Daily News International - December 17th, 2020
- Here's Everything You Need to Know About Yoga Bolsters - Longevity LIVE - December 17th, 2020
- Its never too late to start, says Shilpa Shetty as she aces Sirsasana - The Indian Express - December 17th, 2020
- Topeka yoga instructor to host winter solstice hike - The Topeka Capital-Journal - December 17th, 2020
- Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 1 review: A compact and flexible business 2-in-1 Review - ZDNet - December 17th, 2020
- 5 Yoga Asanas To Try At Home To Get Rid Of Belly Fat - Femina - December 17th, 2020
- Published Together: A guide to 2021 health goals and supporting local economy from home - Rapid Growth - December 17th, 2020
- We Tried Them: 8 Yoga Mats That Are Actually Worth the Investment - Yahoo Lifestyle - December 17th, 2020
- Changa Bell Explains Why He Created the Black Male Yoga Initiative - menshealth.com - October 27th, 2020
- Twin Cities yoga instructor part of special network for Black men - KARE11.com - October 27th, 2020
- 17 Best Yoga Gifts for the Yoga Lover In Your Life - Self - October 27th, 2020
- New beer-themed yoga class a hit with beginners, says instructor - SooToday - October 27th, 2020
- Where to buy the best yoga pants a k a Gen Z's 'flared leggings' in 2020 - New York Post - October 27th, 2020
- Just breathe - how yoga can help you get through the pandemic - WFMYNews2.com - October 27th, 2020
- Art Exhibit, Meditation, and Yoga in Sag Harbor - East Hampton Star - October 27th, 2020
- Student helps campus restore inner balance with virtual yoga class | Texas A&M University-San Antonio | TAMUSA - The Mesquite - October 27th, 2020
- Studies show how yoga may help boost age-related areas of brain - Atlanta Journal Constitution - October 27th, 2020
- Yoga helps mind and body to become and stay healthy - The Killeen Daily Herald - October 27th, 2020
- Yoga Clothing Market 2020: Potential growth, attractive valuation make it is a long-term investment | Know the COVID19 Impact | Top Players: Alo Yoga,... - October 27th, 2020
- 4 expert-recommended yoga poses to relieve shoulder and neck pain - TheHealthSite - October 27th, 2020
- Pilates Yoga Studios Market 2020 | Know the Latest COVID19 Impact Analysis And Strategies of Key Players: Pure International, Rainbow Kids Yoga, Shiva... - October 27th, 2020
- The Best Yoga Mat Options for Workouts and Stretches - BobVila.com - October 27th, 2020
- A day in the life of the social media star behind Yoga with Adriene - Telegraph.co.uk - October 27th, 2020
- Yoga and Exercise Mats Market Changing Dynamics Of Competition With Forecast To 2026 - PRnews Leader - October 27th, 2020
- Global Yoga Clothing Market 2020 Industry Key Players, Trends, Sales, Supply, Demand, Analysis & Forecast to 2025 - Aerospace Journal - October 27th, 2020
- Global Fitness and Yoga Mats Market 2020 Trends, Market Share, Industry Size, Opportunities, Analysis and Forecast To 2026 Wall Street Call -... - October 27th, 2020
- My life in sex: the woman who found yoga helped with orgasms - The Guardian - October 27th, 2020
- Global Yoga Apparel Market Expected To Witness The Highest Growth 2027 | Gaiam, Jade, Outdoor Voices, Liforme, Beyond Yoga, La Vie Boheme - The Think... - October 27th, 2020
- The Only 7 Yoga Poses You Need to Build Muscle - LIVESTRONG.COM - October 27th, 2020
- Southbury Happenings: Yoga, Books, Scarecrows and Pumpkins! - HamletHub - October 16th, 2020
- Baba Ramdev's yoga act on elephant draws lawyers' notice, saying it was an act of cruelty to the animal - India Legal - October 16th, 2020
- Feel Good Friday: Support a Local Yoga Business, Buy a Bottle of Wine, and Listen to New Tunes from a Local Musician - southsoundmag.com - October 16th, 2020
- What Is Face Yoga and Does It Work? - Everyday Health - October 16th, 2020
- 'Outdoors, animals, yoga all good things' - The Times - October 16th, 2020
- Benefits of yoga and meditation The Elm - Washington College Elm - October 16th, 2020
- Five meditation and yoga techniques to calm your soul and help you sleep better - The Indian Express - October 16th, 2020
- Yoga Bags Market Size, Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts to 2026 -... - October 16th, 2020
- 10 Best Workout Mats 2020 - Best Yoga and HIIT Mats for Home Gyms - GoodHousekeeping.com - October 16th, 2020
- Finding My Focus in the World of Virtual Yoga - The Connecticut College Voice - October 16th, 2020
- Oct 17 | Sanctuary Yoga Adventure with YogaSpace | Bethel, CT Patch - Patch.com - October 16th, 2020
- Southeast athletes participate in Mental Health Awareness week with yoga - The Arrow - October 16th, 2020
- Celeb Favorite Alo Yoga Is Already Releasing Their Pre-Amazon Prime Day Deals - Women's Health - October 16th, 2020
- Yoga teacher and practitioner, Iti Jain shares ways to beat anxiety through yoga - Times of India - October 16th, 2020
- 3 Form Mistakes That Are Preventing You From Nailing a Perfect Headstand - Well+Good - October 16th, 2020
- 10 things to do this week: Sunset yoga, immigration dialogue, more - CU Boulder Today - September 4th, 2020
- Kent Recreation Introduces "YOGA @ THE PARK' A Level 1 Yoga Class for Beginners - HamletHub - September 4th, 2020
- Sep 5 | Yoga in the Park | Barrington, RI Patch - Patch.com - September 4th, 2020
- Research Report: Global Yoga Accessories Market 2020-2024|Introduction of Smart Mats to Boost Market Growth | Technavio - Business Wire - September 4th, 2020
- Impact of Corona on Yoga Apparel Market : What will prove favorable for Yoga Apparel Market? - The News Brok - September 4th, 2020
- Yoga Mat Market 2020 Will Surge to $23.2 billion by 2026 Scientect - Scientect - September 4th, 2020
- ViacomCBS to sponsor Festival of Licensing's Community & Wellness track with yoga and and MTV workout - Toy News - September 4th, 2020
- First City Art Center returns to class with Yoga and Arts for Kids - Pensacola News Journal - September 4th, 2020
- Drive-in movie marathon, goat yoga: 13 things to do in CNY - syracuse.com - September 4th, 2020
- Guide to the weekend: First Sunday Arts Festival, free outdoor yoga class, history lectures and more this Labo - Capital Gazette - September 4th, 2020
- Mindfulness on the Move: Andrea Bridger Brings Yoga and Sound Therapy to You - Southern Pines Pilot - September 4th, 2020
- Tested: Lenovo's X13 Yoga Is a 2-in-1 ThinkPad Fans Will Love - ExtremeTech - September 4th, 2020