I count yoga among one of those life-changing practices.  While I can see it benefiting anyone, I know it might not be for everyone, but I don’t know what I’d do without it.

Since I first experienced yoga (ashtanga yoga, for those of you knowing the different styles) eleven years ago because a fellow grad student dubbed a Rodney Yee yoga video (yes, VHS) for me, I have regularly maintained this amazing practice, mostly in my home.  I don’t feel complete without my regular yoga practice.  Time isn’t an issue because I’ve let go of any time limitations; even if I have 10 minutes instead of my typical half-hour or 60 minutes for yoga, I do it and notice the emphasized balance and peace in my day.  I also don’t force myself to any one certain routine; I know enough about yoga and enough forms to often practice organically and in free form… but I started with and have returned to some excellent instructional yoga videos (now DVD) or CDs.

I’ve never really been a gym person, but I’ve included regular exercise in my lifestyle since I was young, partly due to my mom’s regular attendance of aerobics in the late 1970s and early 1980s, where I sometimes joined her in the back of the class, leotard and tights and all.  I especially remember Olivia Newton John’s “Let’s Get Physical”  and Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff.”  In college, I did step-aerobics at least three times per week, sometimes more; after that, I got a treadmill for when I was in the corporate world and beyond.  The treadmill went when I adopted my dog Harley because I walk him at least twice per day, rain or snow or sleet or shine.  In-between, I’ve tried spinning classes, belly-dancing, running and weight training.  And different types of yoga classes: Power yoga, ashtanga, pi-yo (pilates-yoga mix), bikram (the hot yoga–not for me), hatha and kundalini.  I take a yoga class from time to time to expand my skills and knowledge and check my pose accuracy.

But yoga is not just exercise for me; even more so, it’s a way of life.  I’ll continue to stay active in multiple ways, but yoga has always been a constant because because because.  It strengthens.  It reminds me to breathe.  It offers opportunity for intention and meditation.  It slows me down and keeps me in the moment.  It reminds me of what is important.  It keeps me healthy and well.  Yoga Journal has a wonderful newsletter and tips that offer poses to help with certain life conditions and experiences and also connect the yoga philosophy to daily life. Oh, yeah: And we have a bit of  “doga” (apparently, there are actual classes for doga: yoga with your dog) in my home because Harley has actually mimicked me several times when I’ve done the downward dog pose.  He also likes to be nearby, watching me or napping, or even having a mere paw on my mat.  I’ve sometimes awoken from savasana to see him staring at me, big brown eyes and all, inches away or to some loving licks on my face or toes.  He’s part of my practice the last five years, too.

From http://www.healthtree.com/articles/yoga/philosophy/:
According to BKS Iyengar, proponent of a popular yoga form that bears his name, yoga is “the method by which the restless mind is calmed and the energy directed into constructive channels.” Indeed, the Indian sage Patanjali, who is revered as the Father of Yoga by all practitioners, defines purpose of the eight limbs of yoga as “yogas citta vritti nirodhah.” This Sanskrit phrase translates as “Yoga begins when thinking stops.”

The calm, the slow breaths and the flexibility seem to allow me to proceed more gracefully and calmly even in the midst of a rather nutty day.  Physically, I am grateful for the muscles in my arms I never had, pre-yoga, and the stress release, focus and reminder to BE.  When I went to Germany and Switzerland in May 2009, I brought a travel yoga mat and practiced every couple of days wherever I was staying.  The benefits of yoga are plentiful, and integrating the yogic tenets are powerful, as with other spiritual practices like reiki.  And I love that I don’t need any equipment for it, just my body, which I always have with me; I’ve done yoga without a mat, if needed.  What practices can’t you be without?  Are they lifting you and improving your life?

Inhale.  Exhale.  Breathe.  Focus.  Be.