Yoga is an astonishing act. It's in its own category of art and physical movement. Blending together the imagined, the dreamed, the impossible, and the real. It is much more an act of release and emotion than anything else. The beauty of the body and mind expressed on the canvas that is the yoga mat. Flowing, pushing, struggling, but expressing and conquering all that we have within us.
Yoga has healed me, has taught me, has shaped and changed who I am. I needed something to take the place of the graceful body movement I had been so accustomed to for years, but would no longer have. I needed something to show me the strength, mentally and physically, that I did truly hold. I needed to find the confidence I once had and a way to combat the chaos in my head. Yoga provided that and still grants me those powers. It allows me to show myself the strength I have. The poses and asanas I can hold and flow through, for minutes, for hours, demonstrate that. This strength brings me through each practice, but extends past those designated times and into my life.
Yoga is my time, my private space, my moment in the day to acknowledge what is really happening inside. What am I feeling and why am I feeling this way. I can practice angry, sad, stressed, happy, tired. I can take my emotions out and use them in my practice. Ultimately I am left healed if I'm hurting, relived if I'm stressed, or simple over joyed more than I had been before I started.
Three years of a completely self-devoted practice. My own will and drive have been incredible forces. This drive has allowed me to learn by myself everything I needed. Everything to heal and grow from where I was. Yoga has taught me that I can do anything I want. Anything I need can be accomplished when I give my all, my inner being, fully and completely. That's something only yoga can teach you. It's not something you can learn in school or from your parents. You can't read it in a book or online. You have to learn it from the physical and emotional act of yoga.
By finding and keeping the will and drive, the pure determination, to maintain my own yoga practice has taught me more than I could put into words. It has taught me more than I knew I even needed to be taught. I know the process it takes to heal physically and emotionally, to grow strong and mentally, to accept and acknowledge, to give and receive.
I would not have made it here in my life today without yoga. Without these lessons it has taught, the changes it has brought. The powers and knowledge I now have will keep me grounded even when I am struggling through the next big storm of chaos. I am not a wondering helpless soul any longer. I am the woman I should have been all along. I am the daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, cook, blogger, fitness-lover, and yogi, with a head on her shoulders full of knowledge and power, strength, and courage.
I take my yoga lessons that I've learned by myself, through my life and through each and every moment of ache. It's something only yoga, that physical, emotional, and beautiful art form, could teach me. And could teach you.
So tell me:
+ What has yoga taught you?
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Ludhiya Parker
Yoga is the best relaxant in the world . I mind feels refreshed whenever I do Yoga .
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It sure does!
Laina Turner
Yoga has been such a blessing to me
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Same here!
Jennifer
I go in spurtz with my yoga. I currently am 'off' right now and it's been talking to me to get back into it. I really need to do this. But...I need to also be better about scheduling my time...yes...time management. I'm going to start blogging about both of those things today. Starting Monday I hope to post my first attempt at a vision board, too, which is actually going to be a goal book - but same idea! LOL 🙂 I hope to include yoga as one of my first visions or goals to get back into - I haven't decided if I'm going to do 3 or 5...yet...goals that is. Time will tell.
Anyways...I found you thru Katharine's Corner's Favorite Things Thursdays and I totally LOVE your blog! Hope you will swing by mine when you have time! Thanks so much!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sounds like a plan! Even if you just fit in a quick session before you go to bed or right when you wake-up! Just savoring a few minutes on the mat can be incredible!
Thank you for stopping by! XOXO I hope to see you back here 😉
Erlene
I've never tried yoga for some reason, but I would like to do Tai Chi for some mental relaxation.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
TRY YOGA!
Alex
I don't practice Yoga, but I've learned a lot of the same things practicing karate for 4 years now (and hopefully many more). Infact I don't think my blog would exist without karate.
Alex - Funky Jungle
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think all forms of fitness deepen our growth and knowledge of self! Fitness and moving the body is a powerful thing, much beyond the physical!
Lara @ Methodical Living
I love yoga. Its one of my favorite exercises to do to just get away from everything! Unfortunately, I haven't been practicing as much since I got pregnant. But I plan to get back into my usual routine soon! Thank you for sharing!
-Lara
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Prenatal yoga girl!
Kristy @ Southern In Law
I love yoga! The biggest thing that it's taught me is that it's okay to be still - and in fact, it's a mandatory part of life! I'm someone who loves to be busy but I often forget I need rest too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You do! You always need to make it a priority to take time for yourself. It allows you to heal and grow!
Emma @em-poweredwellness
Love, love this post. So well-written! Yoga taught me to trust myself; learning to push past my perceived limitations on my mat helped me gain self-confidence and take action to improve myself in other areas of my life. I also wouldn't be where I am or who I am today without yoga <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Ah yes! Spoken like a true yogi 🙂 That makes me so filled with joy to hear!
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy
This is beautiful, Rebecca. I have never tried yoga, but this makes me want to give it a try.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Gaye 🙂 And you really must!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
This is exactly how I feel about yoga, too. I always feel so empowered afterwards! Happy Monday to you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, empowered! That's a perfect word to describe it!
Right back at you love 🙂
Nicky
Yoga has helped me with flexibility and correcting a back issue
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The physical benefits can be magical 😉
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
So glad I stumbled upon your blog today. I went through a really rough summer - my whole world turned upside down. Luckily I was able to unplug and start doing things like reading, reflecting, and doing yoga. I still don't have a dedication to yoga in the way that I really wish I did (I honestly just lose track of time during the week) but I almost always practice once a week. I'd love to get your advice on how to get stronger and realistically get better at yoga 🙂 thanks - your photo is gorgeous. One day maybe I'll be able to do that 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Shoot me an email girl! I just stalked your blog for about 15 minutes 😉
Are you in DC? Or not anymore?
Payton
Ahhhh, I just started yoga a few weeks ago, and I'm already in love! I totally get where you're coming from, even as a total yoga newb!
This makes me so excited for class tonight!
xx: Payton Sartain
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I love to hear that! Keep it up and yoga on! XOXO
Jennifer F
Yoga is really helping me with my running! Love the Scorpion photo!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's my favorite! I take savasana in it 😛
Erin
Do you have any online yoga resources (lead classes) that you recommend? I try to go to a studio 1x per week but the budget doesn't allow for much more and am looking for something to lead me through a practice at home.
Thanks, I really enjoy your blog.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Check out my yoga page! I have links to all my favorite videos!
Pure Grace Farms
I have not tried yoga yet. My daughter has been pushing me to give it a whirl but I always make excuses. Maybe it's time.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is beyond time! Start now! Don't delay!
CARLA
to change my physicality (stand on my head) to change my perspective.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is a powerful concept 😉
Meredith
Beautiful ode to yoga! You completely got me in your words: "Yoga is my time, my private space, my moment in the day" -- that is how I feel about yoga. It is me-time, it is private, it makes me feel good, it makes me take a step back, it forces me inward for a brief pause. When I go a while without it, my body and mind both notice; I am better off when I practice regularly.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! I need my solid 3 long practices each week.I would feel like a jumble of chaos if I didn't take those hours of practice for me, my body, and my mind.
Linz @ Itz Linz
yoga has taught me that itz a practice no matter how experienced you are... which i love.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's why I always way...yoga is for everyone!!!!
Kate
Yoga has taught me how to be super relaxed and the importance of being in touch with your body. Before discovering yoga I definitely didn't realise all the things my body could do!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's amazing to see what it can teach you. And it doesn't have to be the obvious stuff. It wasn't for me...it was so much more!