A calm mind and a healthy body seem to be unattainable these days. The world came screeching to a halt in 2020, but now we find ourselves busier than ever.

What is Yoga?

Many westerners flock to yoga as a form of exercise to lose weight, improve flexibility, and strengthen their core. Yoga is a great workout, but it’s so much more than physical exercise. The practice has been used for over 5,000 years to improve mental clarity, increase flexibility, and connect the body and mind.

Today, some yogis still practice yoga as part of their spiritual journey, but it has become a wildly popular exercise trend. Unfortunately, potential students turn away from yoga because they “can’t do it.” Biggest. Excuse. Ever.

Meditation and yoga are for everyone. Every body type, every level of physical fitness, every busy schedule. Everyone.

The Benefits of Yoga

Yoga isn’t just poses and contortion. Sure, the incredible balance and postures are impressive, but there is much more to yoga.

Mental Clarity

I started practicing yoga 10 years ago. I am by no means an expert. In fact, sometimes, I’m pretty damn awful. But I keep at it.

The relaxation that comes from spending a few quite minutes meditating, stretching, and balancing restores my focus. It’s really hard to think straight when you have five thousand, billion things cluttering up your brain.

I usually search “Yoga Music” on Spotify and move in whatever way feels right. (I typically use this playlist created by Endless Horizons). If I need a flow that is more structured, I will find something on Pinterest to suits my needs that day. For example, I’ll use this flow for a morning wake up stretch (Illustrated by Brian Russo, based on his children’s book Yoga Bunny, which, of course, I own).

Typically, I will only practice yoga once a day but alternate between morning and evening depending on how my day is going.

Flexibility

Am I flexible after all these years of practicing yoga? Not so much. I can’t do the splits, I can’t put my foot behind my head, and I can’t bend over backward (physically, I mean. I bend over backward mentally all the time).

However, I am more flexible now than I have ever been. Practicing yoga lengthens the muscles, releases the tendons and ligaments, and helps joint mobility.

I will never stay in a pose that physically hurts me, but a few seconds of being uncomfortable helps me in the long run.

When I’m standing in the back of my cramped ambulance while we are driving, trying to start an IV or performing CPR, squeezing into tight spaces, or straddling a patient gets really uncomfortable really fast. Improving my flexibility allows me to stay in these positions longer without pain – and without losing my balance.

Posture

The first impression you make is not about your smile or the types of shoes you wear – it’s how you carry yourself. Posture says so much about a person.

Imagine a confident person. Man, woman, or other. Black, white, brown. Tall, short, thin, heavy. Rich, poor, middle class. With so many variants what could possibly make us all envision the same thing: posture – shoulders back, head held high.

Good posture reduces back problems, which my EMS fam knows we all have. We need to work on carrying ourselves tall and taking care of ourselves in the very simplest of ways.

Breathing

Ever heard an instructor on TV say, “breath in and hold for five counts.” Some of that is real, and some of that is just for show. Yoga focuses on the body and the mind. The best way to connect the two is through breath.

Try this exercise with me.

Come on, just do it.

Slowly, take a deep breath in while you count to four. One. Two. Three. Four.

Hold that breath for three seconds. One. Two. Three.

Now slowly release the breath for five seconds. One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

Now do it again. Omg, just do it.

How do you feel? You might notice your shoulders dropped a little, and your mind is a little less busy. This isn’t a cure-all for anxiety, depression, or a busy schedule, but it can give you a moment of peace.

Combining breath with physical movement is more than just burning calories – although that is the added benefit. Controlling my breath helps me feel more in tune with my body. I notice when something is off or out of balance. Then, I can focus on those aspects. Give them time. Accept them for what they are. Change what I can and let the rest disappear into the abyss.

Conclusion

I would never want to steer someone away from yoga. The benefits it has brought me outweigh the 20 minutes I take to roll out my mat and practice. If you think yoga is not for you, think again. There is a yoga for everyone. You don’t have to master crazy poses, sit in meditation for 36 hours, or travel to India and live in an Ashram to practice. There are yoga styles for every body, mind, and soul. You just have to find yours.

For a great gentle yoga practice, please check out my friend @breoutside.yoga.running on Instagram or her YouTube channel BreOutside Yoga, Running, Fitness