Yoga Yourself!

I’ve been doing yoga on and off for a few years. So probably about a year and a half in total. I’m definitely no where near the splits! But I love the challenge it gives me and I can see the progress I have made.

I currently go to one yoga class a week and it is a Kundalini class. This focuses on your core and your spirituality. It’s a workout for sure and I always leave feeling energised and know my stomach muscles will have been well used and will be a wee bit sore by the end of the day/the next morning.

I do yoga to relax me and get in the zone. I love when I can calm my mind and focus on breathing and the sensations in my body. I walk to my yoga class early on Sunday mornings and the walk itself is great, its 20ish minutes of calm and quiet, looking around and watching the peace of the streets as most people are still indoors. I meet dog walkers and runners. I walk towards the water and the sun is bouncing off it. It’s truly a lovely way to start my day. By the time I get to the yoga class I am ready to go and feel chilled.

During the class, I do what I can, sometimes I struggle and my right leg/hip is stiff and I’m not able to move it as much as my left, it’s like it gets stuck. But I push myself to try. It’s a brilliant class and I enjoy it. The others in my class are great, we are supportive and have a laugh too. There are just four of us, but we really get on well and help each other, we did the Bow Pose and one of the girls had to help ‘pass my legs to me’ which was funny, but once she did I totally enjoyed being in the position….until the next day when oh me….how sore was I? But it was worth it, as I knew my muscles had been well worked!

I walk back from the class with a smile in my heart and know my Sunday has started in a positive way. During the week I try to do 2-3 yoga sessions in the house, after work and before dinner, I do anywhere from 30 – 60 minutes and I find the classes on Amazon Prime or online. it is usually Hatha Flow Yoga I do. I love the stretching and Down Dog is my favourite, well I do love Eagle Pose and Warrior 2. I like them all really! Too many to chose from! They all push me and I find my shoulders loosen, my neck eases and I generally feel aligned once again.

Doing this in the comfort of my own home, means I can pause the video and continue in the pose, rewind it if I want to do more or focus on a particular area. I have been to Hatha classes before so I know the basics but I also prefer to be in a class as it’s great when you get adjusted by the yoga teacher. Time at the moment just isn’t permitting me to do other classes which is why I do it at home.

If you aren’t sure if yoga is for you or you feel you aren’t flexible enough, then I urge you to give it a try. Beginner classes are the way to go, but you go at your own pace, and do what you are able to do, no pressure. I find Easy Pose hard…ironic eh! But my right hip just wont go down, and it can hurt sometimes, so I sit on a cushion or on a block which helps. Just do what you can and enjoy the progress you make, and be proud! So go out there and give it a go. It has been one of the best exercises I have ever done! I love it and would love to think I will still be doing it in 40 years time! Ooo imagine, I could be a flexible old wifey. 🙂

A yoga mat can be bought from supermarkets cheaply or you can go online and pick up some fantastic deals there, but most classes will have some extra mats for you to use, so you can try before you buy!

I use blocks at home to help me in some poses, but these are not necessary. you could use cushions or even books instead.

Yoga is not for everyone but you wont know unless you try and you may just fall in love with it.

Have a wonderful week and don’t forget to always be you.

Look after you. 🙂

Love Emma

xx