I've got a little yoga musings for you today. Not sure where this is going to go, but I am just going to write, so it may not make sense, but I'll try my best to get my feelings and thoughts across. Mondays are always really hard for me, not sure why, but emotionally I am a wreak. The good thing is Mondays are also a yoga day for me. I have so many thoughts during my practice, raw and real. All the turmoil comes out on the mat. So I'll lead you through something I've really felt lately and realized in my practice.
We all know yoga can be an emotional and mental release, as well as a physical one. It allows us time to connect with our inner-selves and be present in the moment. Some of us don't always get this connection every time we practice. If you fight it or you just ignore it and allow yourself to be distracted, you'll miss the opportunity. I don't get to this point every time either. That's okay. We don't have to. But in the practices I do allow myself to really feel this connection, I benefit so much more.
Lately, during each of my practices, I have been trying to fully "melt" myself into my movements. To really feel my practice and what my body is doing. As I've been doing this, I've come to realize that this is the exact reason I love yoga so much. I can feel it. None of my practices are gentle in any sense. I adore the power flows and vinyasa. I need the intensity. I need to be able to feel it. When I'm flowing through chaturangas, down-dogs, warriors, arm balances, and holds, I can feel this power just being released through my veins. It seeps into every part of my body and I feel alive.
I am connected to the Earth and to myself. I feel my raw emotions being utilized as the strength and power I need to perform my practice. The fire in my muscles and the rhythm of my breath. It's intense, but it's magic. The feeling of so much struggle, but so much release. So much hate and anger comes out. Everything I don't want anymore can be used and I feel it in my movements.
I love this feeling. I love being able to feel my body and this energy that consumes every part of my being. I imagine an aura of power surrounding me while I'm moving. This energy, this power, just takes over. All the nasty thoughts, the stress, the anxiety, the depression. It gets used and I can feel it and know that it is real. I'm able to acknowledge it, but also acknowledge that I can utilize it as power.
Yoga is just so many things to me. During each practice it can be something different from the last. But these practices, the ones where I can feel it, I love them the most. These are the practices that let me cry. I feel more "complete" by the end. I feel released and cleansed. I know I've used every ounce of emotion that I had in my practice. I can lay in savasana and just feel.
Yoga is a feeling.
So tell me:
+ What do you feel when you practice yoga?
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Brandon
I feel time slow down and worries wash away! A reminder I try to take with me off the mat 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, exactly!
Veronika
I wish I didn't feel so out of place in the yoga class my friend invited me to! I'm a total "newbie" and my lack of flexibility, and my inability to control my giggling, left the entire class glaring at me. I'll have to do one of those online courses to teach me the basics before I try going back. My friend is a natural at it, and I can tell I would really enjoy it, and I want to keep going with her, but I just made a total dork out of myself!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You don't think yoga is serious? Why would you laugh?
Veronika
Oh, that's not what I meant at all! Sorry if that sounded offensive, I'm just a really giggly person. And especially since I'm not very flexible, a little overweight, and I'm confident that I looked really silly trying to achieve some of the more difficult poses, I just feel that I needed a bit more training before I go back with her! I'm one of those people that, once I start giggling, especially around my good friends who make silly faces at me, sometimes it's hard to stop! I think I was more of a disruption to the class than anything, which is why I said I should probably do some online classes at home next time.
kimmythevegan
I can't say I've felt the connection with yoga. I've tried yoga several times in the past. I was told it was great for muscles and good for flexibility (and just variety in activity). I heard it would help with anxiety & depression... but I just haven't figured out to make it work for me. I love so many forms of exercise, but yoga isn't one. I'll keep trying though!
Thank you for sharing this Rebecca - I'm so glad you found something you feel so deeply about and helps you through negative thoughts & emotions.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's not all rainbows and sunshine or can even be "felt" every time. But when I am able to have a practice like this...it's amazing! But you have to believe yoga works and that you have the ability to feel it and that you want to feel it. Once you have a physical practice down, it's all about the mindset...something I still work on and struggle with!
Paula Kiger
I loved this (and I love yoga). Not sure how to define what I feel ... strength, focus (except the times when I don't feel strong or focused LOL) but intent on appreciating the present, I guess is the best way to phrase it. I recently wrote about yoga in business and would LOVE your comment on the post if you have time! Here's the link: http://spinsucks.com/communication/dharana-of-planning/
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is so hard to really put into words the feeling on yoga! That's why it is just a feeling itself!
Emily
What a beautiful way to look at yoga! I love how it always makes me feel more centered and grounded!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I love all the feelings yoga can give you!
Purelytwins
love yoga for those reasons - the feeling side. how we can reconnect with our inner selves!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's truly amazing!
Kristen
Ughhh your posts always make me want to try yoga! I swear I'm joining a gym this week and I'm going to start taking classes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Girl, you don't need a gym! Seriously just use online videos (doyogawithme.com is all free) and just start!
Kelli @HungryHobby
That was a beautiful post Rebecca! I love it and love that you reminded me the potential for mental, physical and emotional cure that yoga has!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!!
I wish we all could just stop, drop, and yoga sometimes 😉
Francesca
Yoga is my drug & religion! Love this 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It so is! Thank you 🙂
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie
Yoga makes me feel in charge of my body <3 Love this post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It does! You can feel every fiber of it and be aware of your whole being!
Thanks Brie 🙂 XOXO
Mar @ Mar on the Run
I've been taking a lot more yoga and I love it as a perfect compliment to my running. I still have a hard time being still and taking it all in but just need to practice more I guess. Beautiful post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It isn't always about being still. Like I said, my practice is very intense and powerful. That's where I find this "feeling". In the intensity and movements of the body.
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet
I don't quite experience this with yoga, since I don't practice regularly enough, but this is exactly how I feel when I run! I always feel the best after tough runs that require a lot of mental focus. All the negative stuff goes away (or seems a lot better than before the run).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's because we use those emotions and let ourselves "feel" it come out in our practice/run! Isn't it simply amazing!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
I do practice yoga and the feeling you are talking about is what I am searching for...I find it so hard to shut off and just focus. I am hoping with patience it will come in time. Have a good day!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's really just about focusing all you energy and emotion into your muscles and the movements of your body! Feeling the strength, the stretch, the fire within you!
Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete
Beautiful feelings! Love it!
I feel so closer to myself when I do Yoga. It doesn't have to do with the complexity of the poses I'm doing, or the ambiance I've produced, but the breath within me and how my muscles and joints move together. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! How everything just works together, everything was meant to be and flow that way. Using every ounce of "presence" in your body at that time!
Annmarie
Any time I have ever done yoga (few and far between) I have really loved the feeling I get from it most more so than the physical benefits (NOT FLEXIBLE). It definitely is on a different level than a lot of other workouts I do.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, you are so right. Yoga always end up being "more" than what people think. It truly is an amazing experience!
Annie Brees
Ya know one of the first yoga class I took I almost cried. It was at the end of the class and the instructor was going over our intentions we set at the beginning and how thankful we should be for the people in our lives and the ability to be here, present, is amazing. His words just spoke to me. In any other setting I think I would have agreed but moved on quickly but because I was so relaxed and present in the moment I was able to fully appreciate it. Great post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, yes, yes! That is so it! To feel it all! To allow ourselves to feel every emotion, pain, twinge we have within us!
Rebecca
Thanks for sharing, Rebecca! Such a great reminder.... & yoga is awesome!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It so is 😉 XOXO
Emma @ em-poweredwellness
This post resonates with me so much. Power vinyasa classes make me feel alive and in love with life, rather than just living.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! I'm so glad it resonated! Whenever I write these posts about yoga (that are a bit out there) I try so hard to make them make sense and get my point across as best I can!
Thank you! XOXO
Kate
I love this! Yoga is a huge part of my life. I use it to help manage my physical health (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia) and my mental health (anxiety). I just love that yoga feeling!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The benefits we can get from yoga are endless!
Johnna
What a beautiful post. I feel so many things in yoga. It is my reminder to actually tune in, to be present with my body without judgment.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Exactly! It is so hard to even describe all the feelings yoga brings out!
EA-The Spicy RD
Lovely post! I have not incorporated yoga in to my life (yet), but maybe one day 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Make that day today!
Shashi @ runninsrilankan
I feel the same way about running as you do about yoga!
Happy Monday lady - and happy Thanksgiving!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I knew all the runners would say that 😛
Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Great post, Rebecca! That was one of the things I struggled with most during TT - there was no science to the poses - everything was "well where do you feel this pose most"? I'm like what? You want me to feel everything? You mean you can't tell me where I'm supposed to feel this pose? It's still a challenge for me to really feel every second of every yoga class - I often catch my mind wandering. But this is a great reminder! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We get so much more when we can tune-in to the "feeling." I think it is perfectly fine not to feel it all the time, but it can be so much more powerful and beneficial for our minds and bodies when we can!
Natalie
I completely agree! I can absolutely tell the difference between those "feeling" practices and the more thinking practices. Somedays it's hard to shut the brain up, but when I can it is an amazing experience!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I live for the feeling! It is so hard to put in to words, but I just know I love it!
jess meddows
Great post, Rebecca. I used to do Hatha Yoga with Yoga Nidri every Monday night in Toronto. Since we moved to Thailand, I haven't been doing any and I really miss how good it was for my emotional well being!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can still do it! Just roll out the mat!
Linda @ Veganosity
Absolutely! The same goes for running, it's a mind cleanser for me. I feel my feet pounding the pavement, the fresh air in my lungs, my heart pounding, and the sweat releasing toxins from my body. If you don't "feel" you're not really living. Great post Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Yoga makes me feel ALIVE! It reminds me that I am here on this Earth! It is just so powerful!
Thank you!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
So beautiful and true. Although I don't do yoga, I feel the same way about running. But you are inspiring me to actually take the leap and finally try yoga. It's been "on my list" for years!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you 🙂
I know running is the same way for so many people!
And hey...I think it's the perfect time for you to get on the mat! Post-marathon recovery? 😉
Farrah
Augh! This post made me want to start doing yoga again. I've never actually done it regularly, which is sad, because I've always liked it. 😡 Thank you for the inspiration! 😛 This'll be good for me! 😛
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Please get back into it! If you love it, you have nothing stopping you! It is one of the best things anyone can do for themselves...I totally believe that!
Farrah
Agreed! I think I'll work it either into my morning wakeup routine or (more likely) for winding down at night!
Ali the Skinny GF Chef
I've been trying to find time to learn yoga forever. I have the mat but never use it. Thank you for the motivation! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just take a few minutes from your day right when you wake-up or go to bed! Once you get started, you will want to do it more and more and will make the time!
Ali the Skinny GF Chef
I will Rebecca. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog
I used to do yoga and I'm really missing it. I really want to get back into it, thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You should! Yoga is always welcoming 😉
Carla
YES
you nailed it for me too
connected to the earth entirely.
yoga and the ground.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yoga = Connections!
Kelly
I love this! I do not practice yoga, but I feel very similar after a workout with my trainer. I have so much more appreciation for what my body can do and I love seeing the progress as I get stronger. Great post, Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Kelly. I love feeling the power and beauty my body has and how yoga releases that!