Obligations stemming from places such as work, school and, family have a tendency to dominate our thoughts from day to day. It’s not surprising given the importance that most people place on those kinds of commitments.
The downside of managing responsibilities to others is that people often forget about themselves. The result is usually stress that works itself out as mentally as anxiety or depression, or even physiologically as high blood pressure.
If these problems are to be overcome then perhaps clearing the mind of worldly obligations is a good place to start. At least that’s what a yoga instructor would tell you.
“The mind for most people is very external. People are always thinking about what they have to do…I have to feed the dog, I have to pick the kids up from school. Yoga is an opportunity for people to shift the focus inwards and just be in their body,” says Lynne Bowsher an Iyengar yoga instructor at A Place for Yoga here in Lake Country.
Yoga as a discipline is a 5,000 to 6,000 year old practice that originated in India and the Far East. Since that time different variations on the core principles have coalesced into many different styles which are now practiced all around the world.
Here in North America most yoga practitioners focus on the physical benefits. Yoga is known to improve balance, flexibility and oxygenate the body, leaving it feeling energized.
The physical benefits are achieved by putting the body into positions that emphasizes proper alignment of the body. Instructors can modify the positions to suit the individual performing them. Young, old, sick or healthy, yoga is renowned for its adaptability.
“It’s not a competition to do the hardest posture, it’s about what works for your body,” says Sarah Fraser whose business Crave Fitness shares a space with A Place For Yoga.
Even medical professionals recognize yoga for its physical merits. Bowsher and Fraser regularly accept clients referred to them by physiotherapists, massage therapists and chiropractors.
Athletes are also starting to look to yoga as part of their conditioning regimen. With an instructor as a guide, practitioners are able to fine-tune an awareness of how their bodies work helping them to stay injury free.
Despite the benefits yoga is still somewhat shrouded in misconceptions here in North America. The most common one being that yoga is a religious practice. Bowsher says there is absolutely no connection to any specific religion but says that certain types of yoga may enhance any spiritual beliefs that a person may already have.
Another false assumption that people make is that yoga is only for people who possess superhuman flexibility. Bowsher and Fraser encourage people to look to yoga as a way to improve themselves and ask that people not blame a perceived shortcoming for not even trying. For that reason both Bowsher and Fraser offer a free first class to new participants.
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