I have been practicing yoga at Hart House for about a year and a half now, and I love it! Not only is yoga a great source of physical activity, it can also help bring a better sense of balance to your everyday life. Below are just some of the benefits you can get from your yoga practice:
1) Better breath: yoga teaches you to slow down and really concentrate on your breathing. In the process, you learn to observe how your body is feeling, without passing judgment.
2) Better mind-body connections: your yoga practice often acts as a reflection of your present state of mind. For instance, if your body is a bit shaky when you do a particular pose or balance, this may be a sign of inner stress or tension. By contrast, if you’re feeling really steady, this could be an indication of your self-confidence coming through.
3) Improved strength and flexibility: yoga isn’t all quiet meditation! Exercises such as downward dog, cobra, and lunges are great ways of getting a workout during your practice.
I’d say that the best thing about yoga is the fact that anyone can do it. Yoga is not meant to be a competitive sport; rather, it allows you to practice at your own pace, and to find certain poses and stretches that work for YOU.