Are You Avoiding Yoga? – Discover The Life-Changing Power Of Doing It Right
- Brainz Magazine
- Nov 28, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Natasha King is passionate about encouraging others to approach life from a soul led perspective. Certified & expericened in Yoga, Trauma Release and more she guides her clients in person, online or on retreat from burn out & disconnect into calm, presence and vitality, empowering them to thrive.
Start today and in 3 months you could have your own, soul supporting practice! Are you avoiding yoga because: you are not flexible enough, you don’t have enough time, it’s for women, your religion does not support it or another of the many excuses used perhaps due to a lack of understanding of what yoga is and why you should try it.
Yoga is for all. It is a science that works from the physical to the subtle: move the physical body with asana (postures) to release stuck energy, connect with the breath – pranayama (energy control) and quiet the mind with meditation and access the 'soul'. The soul has no gender, no race, no sexuality. It is your pure essence. Gender, ethnicity and sexuality are part of our human nature, we are all unique and therefore yoga is a practice for all.
What is the true purpose of yoga?
Yoga translates as ‘Yoke’ or ‘Union,’ and is an ancient science of turning inward, yoking together or creating union of the body, mind and soul.
Did the ancients know that future modern life and technology would create a disconnect from self so powerful that it would create a distinct culture of separation and externalization? Where the mind was so occupied with outside stimulation that people had very little connection with themselves. Where burnout was becoming the norm and purpose was linked to material success, creating suffering both physically and mentally. Relying on self-medication via our many addictions; from prescriptive drugs, pain killers, alcohol and food, to shopping and social media as a plaster to their society and self-inflicted wounds?
The purpose of yoga is to find yourself, journey inward and meet your soul. With time and practice you can discover your true purpose and inner peace.
A fundamental text for all yoga teachers is the Yoga Sutra by Patanjali, the ultimate guidebook to the soul. The second sutra ‘yogaś citta vrtti nirodhah’ translates in brief as ‘Yoga is the complete mastery over the roaming tendencies of the mind.’
The first chapter is a handbook for those already prepared and able to still the mind with ease. The second chapter is a guide for those whose minds spin on repeat with no sign of stopping.
Body: I can’t do yoga I’m not flexible, I’m not fit enough, I haven’t got the right body for yoga!
Many are under the misconception that flexibility, strength and/or a fit healthy body are a prerequisite to practicing yoga. However, these are by-products of regular practice. It doesn’t matter how fit, how old, what you weigh or what you wear, you don’t even need a mat to begin your practice. You simply need a willingness to try and to give yourself a little time to explore this phenomenal science.
How
When we move our body into an asana (posture) and pair this posture with conscious breath (pranayama) it has an energetic value – that is, it stimulates energy in the body. Depending on the type of posture (forward fold, twist, extension, back bend, lateral, inversion) and space into which we direct the breath, we can ground, calm, cool, stimulate, heat, enliven and balance our energy and the body. This in turn will affect the mind.
For example, abdominal breath paired with a forward fold draws you into the parasympathetic nervous system and thus into a state of calm in the body and subsequently the mind.
If this example of just one asana and breath pairing can create a discernible change in your body and mind, imagine what an intelligently sequenced class could do! With practice, you can calm the nervous system, develop awareness of positive energy in the body and drop into meditation with ease. Understanding that to be advanced in yoga is NOT to master asana (postures), but to sit in meditation and find inner peace.
Benefits
Becoming more grounded and feeling safer in your body, calming the nervous system, improving lung capacity, a quieter mind and a greater sense of intuition. Over time with dedicated practice, you will also become physically stronger and more flexible.
But be cautious – many popular, modern, dynamic yoga practices while fantastic for the body from physical perspective, creating gymnastic strength and flexibility miss the purpose. The postures and continuous momentum can often over stimulate the mind and nervous system, and whilst your body may release endorphins creating an ecstatic feeling in Sivasana (a period of meditative integration after the postures) with the body stimulated into the sympathetic nervous system accessing meditation will be very challenging if not impossible as the body and mind are prime for action not calm.
Time: I just don’t have time for yoga!
Creating new habits when life seems crazy full already can be a challenge. But take an audit on how you use your time and energy, and you will soon realize that there is time to be had to start a self-care practice that can change your life.
Do you
Make time for a coffee break, cigarette break, tea break?
Doom scroll – how many minutes a day do you spend on social media scrolling/posting?
Binge watch TV?
Play online games?
Say 'yes' to things you don’t want to do.
Go to bed late and wake up feeling tired? Struggle to get to sleep?
Could you
Go to bed 30+ minutes earlier, get up 30+ minutes earlier.
Cut down screen time before bed.
Halve your scrolling time. Gaming time.
Say 'no' to what you don’t want to do.
Find a space in your day to move your body, breathe and quiet your mind for 10-60 minutes. You’ll be surprised how starting small with 10 minutes at the start of each day becomes a powerful new habit that supports you in many ways.
Yes, some days it is hard to fit it in, you are tired, others are demanding from you, you want to revert to old habits (that often made you feel bad) you really don’t feel it. But you do it. Self discipline improves, your day begins calmer, your coffee (or tea) tastes better, you re-find you and more time appears, you become more productive and at ease with yourself.
It takes on average 21 – 28 days to create a new habit and 60-90 days for it to embed and become a permanent part of your life. The bigger picture: in 3 months you could have a daily yoga practice that supports your life far better than other habits you have that create challenge in body and mind.
Start today with this simple exercise
For 2 minutes sit quietly and notice your breath, don’t change it just observe.
Notice all the different aspects:
where in the body you are breathing to (chest, abdomen)
through the nose or mouth
is the breath smooth or laboured
are there long pauses/breath holds
does your mind find it hard to concentrate on the breath for 2 minutes?
Now sigh a big sigh and relax your belly, then breathe deep smooth abdominal breaths:
Bring your hands to your navel and begin to breathe downwards into the bottom of the lungs pushing the diaphragm down and the navel into your hands. If this is a challenge and the breath is caught up in the chest this is a sign that your nervous system is caught in fight or flight. Don’t worry, just explore breathing lower in the chest towards the upper abdomen.
Breath in for 4 and out for 6.
Breathing through the nose if possible.
Keep this breath rhythm for 3-5 minutes. Notice a gradual calm in body and mind. Repeat as often as possible.
If you can do this you can do anything.
Example practices coming to @natashakingyoga YouTube channel soon!
For 1:1 online mentoring packages curated to suit your needs visit here and get in touch.
Natasha King, Yoga Teacher / Wellbeing Mentor
Natasha King is dedicated to encouraging others to TRANSFORM & THRIVE. She leads classes, workshops, curates & delivers retreat programs & tailors private sessions to suit her international 1:1 clientele.
Struck down by viral encephalitus in 2014 the healing benefits of yoga aided her journey of recovery, study & evolution kickstarting an unexpected career. Transforming her own health & well being and a unveiling a passion to help others HEAL & EVOLVE.
