The Yoga Life: Regular Practice
Posted January 29, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Alexandra Haller
Section: Her Fitness, Athletics, Her Health, The Yoga Life
B. K. S. Iyengar is one of the most famous yogis in the world. He is credited with the development of Iyengar yoga. I start this piece by mentioning his name because I want you to think about something he said. “Regular practice of yoga can help you face the turmoil of life with steadiness and stability.” Regular---that is the key word.
The benefits of consistent yoga practice have been touted for centuries. Science is just now beginning to investigate what exactly happens to the body after prolonged practice of yoga. A 2005 study conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center discovered that routine yoga may prevent weight loss in the overweight and help protect against the “middle-aged spread.” It is linked to an ability to lessen the severity of allergies, help in pregnancy, lower stress levels, enhance your immune system, and improve digestion, core strength and flexibility, and on and on and on.
While I cannot stand accountable for all the numerous and varied claims that yoga is reputed to provide, I can attest that regular practice will have a more powerful effect than you can imagine. In a previous article, I talked about my love affair with Bikram yoga. While I have been practicing on and off for about four years, the truth is that practice has been more “off” than “on.” Recently, though, I have attended five classes in less than three, weeks and am amazed at how I feel.
It must be said that the number one obstacle (for me) to consistent practice is the cost. One walk-in session is $15. To put that in perspective, my gym membership at Planet Fitness is $10 a month. At a gym, the hours are flexible. You can show up when it’s convenient, and stay as long as you want. With yoga, classes are only offered at certain times, and the class is always 90 minutes long. Thankfully, I lucked out at the start of 2008 because I have the world’s best mom, who bought me a 10 class package for Christmas. (Thanks again Mom!)
The other night I attended my fifth class and had a breakthrough. It was 6:30 on an unordinary weekday. My last class had been three days prior. And then...everything clicked. I was going deeper into poses that had previously baffled my twisted body. I could hold postures longer before falling out or giving up. I have always found Bikram to be well, eh, brutal. It’s cardio, strength training and flexibility all rolled up into one whopping, strenuous 90 minutes in an easy-bake oven. This time it was, dare I say, easier. I finally found myself riding on the highway of the mind-body connection, and it was exhilarating.
Oh, to be sure, my hamstrings cried out when I tried to jam my forehead tightly to my shins. My shoulders nearly popped out as I tried to suction my palms together over my head and force them behind my ears. My back still inched towards the boundary of complete spasms in camel pose, but that’s what yoga is about! (Assuming you are practicing wisely and with caution.)
Yoga is about going to the edge and peering over. It is about saying “This time, I will go farther.” It is about taking risks in your head and in space for what your body is capable of. I believe that regular practice will be infinitely rewarding. As Iyengar said “Illuminated emancipation, freedom, unalloyed and untainted bliss await you, but you have to choose to embark on the Inward Journey to discover it.”