What is a yoga practice? by L.A. Wison

L.A. Wilson is a writer, editor, and marketer living in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a dedicated yoga student, practicing Hatha Yoga several times a week in Arlington, Texas.

What is a yoga practice? Is it exercise? Meditation? Just a bunch of stretching? Yoga is whatever you make it to be. It depends on what you bring to your practice and the intention that you set. Just as with any physical exercise, yoga provides far more than just fitness.

To complement means to complete, make whole. With that in mind, yoga is a complement to everything we do. It challenges limits and improves performance in other fitness activities, accelerates weight loss, deepens meditation and heals the body. It brings a sense of calm and purpose to the mind.

Each yoga practice is unique. I have practiced with body builders who swear by the flexibility that only the deep stretching of yoga can provide. Working with weights and yoga have a lot in common—using the breath, correct stance, and discipline. Runners also benefit from the breath work, stamina and flexibility obtained through yoga.

The most inspiring people with whom I have practiced are women who are trying to reclaim their bodies after years of neglect. They are usually the hardest to persuade to take a class and end up being the student who never misses. They think yoga will be easy and are surprised not only by how much effort is required but that they enjoy the work. They are also amazed at how calm they are after their practice and have learned to carry that peace into their daily lives. For these women, the hour on the mat is time dedicated to themselves, a pause in their life of caring for others.

For me, yoga practice is not only exercise but necessary physical therapy to relieve chronic tight muscles caused by a short leg and resultant scoliosis. But what I really enjoy about yoga is the mental exercise it provides. Not only do I learn something about my body during time on the mat, I also see what tricks my mind is up to as I bring my awareness back to the practice and follow my breathing. I always emerge either very calm or energized, depending on the session. Another bonus is that I shed inches faster when I’m actively practicing yoga than when I do only aerobic-type exercises.

Yoga complements life. Learning to connect breath with movement creates more awareness. Taking that off the mat, you will bring more unity to your daily activities and your life.

L.A. Wilson can be reached at lawilson0525@yahoo.com.