Power Monday #41 Ten Reasons Why I Love Yoga

Happy Monday friends! So right now I am off doing something fun in SC, well more like touring Wofford and sitting in on a microeconomics class! I can not wait to tell you all about it. We got down Sunday morning and I have been loving it since. So while I am soaking up the South Carolina sun and the Wofford campus, I have the beautiful and wonderful Janae Wise from Bring Joy here to talk to you about yoga! Janae was on of the first bloggers I started reading and I have always looked up to her inspiring and captivating writing. Her voice is so true in all of her posts on family, parenting, motherhood, debt and budgeting, frugal living, health, fitness, and delicious vegan recipes. Plus have you seen her blog design! I am always jealous of how beautiful it looks when I go to read a post, haha! Janae is also a wonderful mother of 5 with her newest addition Tyndale William in January! She is one strong and inspiring woman that I hope to actually meet one day! Let's welcome Janae for this special Power Monday!

My yoga story....

I discovered yoga sometime in my second year of college. They were 6 am classes, & I loved beginning my days with yoga. From that first down dog I was smitten. There was something about yoga that made me feel more alive, more aware & present.

After college I got married, had a few children, & through out it all I made time for a yoga practice, even if it was just 20 minutes, a few days a week.

Since I just had my fifth child & am in the process of losing the baby weight, I appreciate that yoga helps me to care for mind, body, & spirit, while helps to bring awareness to when I'm truly hungry & when I'm just craving things because I'm bored, stressed or tired.

My ideal yoga practice would occur in a yoga studio--I love the intimacy & community spirit that exists in group fitness classes.

But, due to time & financial constraints, I practice at home. Though I teach yoga & know the ins & outs, I still prefer to be guided by a teacher. Sure, some days I'll walk myself through a series of sun salutations if I'm short on time, but I think my practice is more centered, focused, with the guidance of a teacher. There are some fantastic yoga DVD's out there--I really like Shiva Rea & Kathryn Budig. I subscribe to Giam TV where you can stream over a thousand different fitness & yoga workout videos. It's the most comprehensive yoga workout site I've found, & all of their instructors are top notch. (If you're interested, you can try it out for free for 10 days, by going here.)

As a teacher, & why I think yoga is not going away any time soon...

After a few years of doing my own yoga practice, I decided I wanted to teach. So I became yoga alliance certified in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. My personal style of yoga reflects that training, but in my classes I always liked to the practice to reflect an infusion of power & flow yoga principles as well.

I taught yoga for six years. Currently, I'm not teaching yoga, but I hope to again someday. Though I have neglected my practice from time to time, it always something I know I can go back to. There's no judgement. It's just me, the breath, the poses. And it's because of this simplicity that despite my falling away from my practice at times, I always come back.

I was a fitness instructor in my twenties & I became familiar with, & taught all sorts of styles & types of exercises. Zumba, kickboxing, Turbo Kick, step, Pilates, water aerobics, HIIT (high intensity interval training), strength training, & sports conditioning. Though many exercise fads will come & go, I know that yoga is here to stay, & here's why.

10 Reasons Why I Love Yoga | Strength and Sunshine

It's for these reasons that yoga is an exercise that has stood the test of time. It's been around for thousands of years. Though it's gained popularity in last decade or so, it's not a fad exercise. The practice of yoga will continue to be relevant as long as there are people.

Do you have a yoga practice? Do you do it home? At a studio? Gym? What are some of your favorite yogi's, books, DVD's? I'm always looking for great yoga inspiration!

Thank you so much Janae! Never knock-off yoga as something boring, time-wasting, and never call it "just stretching". Yoga is so much more and once you start you will be hooked. Believe me, believe Janae, believe any yoga practicer. Every one of them will tell you that it has improved their life in some way, shape, or form. To get started, try out Janae's yoga video she has on her blog!

So tell me:

Why do you love yoga?

How has it changed your life?

Before you go, connect with Janae:

Bring Joy

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Comments

Sarah Day

April 19, 2014 at 12:24 pm

I've been practicing yoga through most of my adult life. It has gotten me through pregnancy, work stress, long winters, times where I had to make some crazy decisions. It's exercise for both your body and your mind.

- Strength and Sunshine
  
  April 19, 2014 at 2:04 pm
  
  That is exactly right Sarah! Not only can your build your fitness and strength, but you can build your mind and inner-peace!
  
Heather

April 14, 2014 at 10:30 pm

I was actually going to ask you for DVD or video recommendations when I started reading this and you beat me to it! Thanks!

- Strength and Sunshine
  
  April 15, 2014 at 5:07 am
  
  Have fun!
  
Julie

April 14, 2014 at 10:36 am

I love yoga because it surprisingly calms me and has given me a challenge - my own bodyweight!

- Strength and Sunshine
  
  April 14, 2014 at 12:39 pm
  
  That is one of the best parts! It enabled you to do it anywhere no matter what level your at. It is all about your mind and body!
  
lorahogan

April 14, 2014 at 9:52 am

Isn’t yoga the best? I love savasana. 😉 There’s a tee-shirt that says “I’m just here for savasana” and I keep joking I will get it!

- Strength and Sunshine
  
  April 14, 2014 at 10:22 am
  
  Haha! It is lovely but it is also one of my greatest struggles in my yoga practice.
  
- janae @ bring joy
  
  April 14, 2014 at 1:51 pm
  
  I need that t-shirt!
  
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa

April 14, 2014 at 9:00 am

Love this. Yoga is, hands down, the thing that helped me learn to love and appreciate my body more and more.

- Strength and Sunshine
  
  April 14, 2014 at 9:55 am
  
  Same here! It is absolutely incredible 🙂
  
- janae @ bring joy
  
  April 14, 2014 at 1:51 pm
  
  I agree, Melissa!

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