This past Monday, I got the privilege of attending a yoga class through my SBU Dance Team, and I realized that it’s something I couldn’t live without.
I have always loved the art and beauty that yoga brings, and I think more people should attend classes. Since I can remember, I have known what yoga is, and I have always been interested in it because my aunt was a yoga instructor. I always thought that it was the coolest job!
Ever since I was young, I would have yoga classes through the dance studio I was affiliated with from childhood until I graduated high school. We would have different teachers from yoga and dance studios come in and give us a yoga or Pilates class every now and then.
For my first classes, I was quite young, and I found it really fun to do all the silly poses like “happy baby” or the “tree pose.” I especially loved it when the instructor would call us her “yogis,” meaning we would be comfortable and confident in yoga because of how often we practiced it!
As I got older, I recognized and appreciated the more spiritual and mental side of yoga. There were times when I was having a difficult week or stressing about an upcoming dance competition, and having a yoga class would take away all that stress and allow me to have a safe space to take a breath.
In my typical dance classes, I was so used to the routine of always coming prepared at 110%, trying to remember all the moves, and perfecting them for the stage. But for these yoga and occasional Pilates classes, I could just have fun and explore more of my spiritual side.
Pilates is another spiritual and strengthening fitness practice that can be similar to yoga in many ways. However, Pilates typically focuses more on continuous movements rather than staying in poses. It is a more modern practice that sets goals of deep core strength, muscle toning, and energization.
While yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that sets goals of stretching the body, mindfulness, and focusing on balance. Yoga is great when I want to feel calm, relaxed, and in touch with my own thoughts.
I love both practices a lot, and you can get the same accomplished feeling in two different styles! I have more experience in yoga, but I definitely want to try to get into Pilates more!
Yoga is a very common resource that is given to where one may live or attend school, which is so convenient. However, it comes at a price, literally. It can be quite expensive, just like going to the gym, but they do typically provide one or two first classes for free plus a membership option.
What I love is the alternative option to yoga, as well as many other fitness exercises, which is being able to do them for free. In this modern time, we have the ability to watch videos and take classes online at no expense. There are only so many activities you can do for free, especially those that have such a great impact.
The social aspect of taking these classes allows for a more positive routine in one’s life. Whether you watch videos at home by yourself or go take classes with your friends and family, yoga is a place for people to come together and bond through a mental, physical, and spiritual experience.
Personally, yoga has motivated me to enjoy the little moments in life where you get to take a breath and just be at peace within your own mind, body, and soul.