10 Reasons Why Yoga REALLY Is For EVERY Body!
By Alexandra Wescourt
In a culture that has us overstimulated, moving faster than ever, addicted to our devices and in desperate need of a reboot….the ancient Practice of Yoga is needed now more than ever!
I’ve put my body through it all, with nearly 20 years as a professional dancer, a decade in theatre, TV and film, constantly in the gym, endless spin classes, tennis, hiking, cycling, and the list goes on. During all those years, Yoga was always in the background, but it wasn’t until I allowed it to take centerstage that everything fell into place. And when I integrated a more healing approach into my Yoga practice, and stopped treating it like just another way to exercise, my life truly transformed. Old injuries became a thing of the past and I gained a renewed relationship with my body, my breath, my mindset, and my habitual everyday movements.
I was fascinated, and needed to share everything I was learning, so first step, I became a Yoga instructor. It didn't stop there, not by a long shot. I continued to dig deeper, reading every anatomy book I could get my hands on, seeking masters on the subject and study with them, and eagerly attending week long dissection workshops where we dissected the human form layer by layer. I could not, and still can’t, get enough. Simply put, I am in love with the body, it’s innate intelligence, how it works, and it’s ability to heal itself. When given what it needs, it is truly miraculous. Unfortunately, we so often overlook this gift. We move day to day, without thought, completely on autopilot, and our bodies take the beating. Yoga gives us a chance to rewind the clock.
Here in the West, Yoga has many different styles to choose from. However, the emphasis is typically on the exercise aspect. It often intimidates people with an exaggerated focus on the perfect “Yoga Body” and the idea that we need to possess the flexibility of a Cirque de Soleil performer to even step onto the mat. I would like to take the opportunity to de-mystify this perception. There are, in reality, dozens of reasons why I believe Yoga is a fantastic fit for anyone who chooses it, but here are my top 10.
1. YOGA DOESN’T DISCRIMINATE: One of the fundamental philosophy’s of Yoga is that “Yoga meets your body, where your body meets you!” In simple terms you can start a practice right now, regardless of your flexibility, age, experience, ethnicity, religion, body type, or pre existing health conditions, AND without the notion of needing to be “good” at it. I have clients that fit every mold, many who came to me while working through injury or illness, and I can assure you, every(body) is welcome!
2. PRACTICE MAKES FUN, NOT PERFECT: Yoga should be fun. Sure it can be challenging, but it’s your practice, and no one else’s. It’s your body, your mind, your breath, your aches, your pains, your time, your day, your week…and it’s different each and every day. So make it fun. Explore your edge playfully, and don’t take yourself so seriously. It’s called a Yoga “practice” because it will never be 100% perfect. Even the most advanced practitioner is constantly challenged from one day to the next, and that’s the beauty of it all…so feel free to lift the corners of your mouth, and smile.
3. IT’S ALL IN THE APPROACH: Western mentality can heavily emphasize the physical part of Yoga. Also referred to as ‘Asana’, the physical practice is just one aspect of Yoga. Yes, Asana improves muscle tone and mobility, burns calories, improves circulation and has cardiovascular benefits as a result. However, in approaching it as not just another way to work out, we get to discover more of what Yoga has to offer and it becomes more meaningful. Our breath begins to lead us, we slow down, we move with intention, honoring our body and what it needs, reducing our chance of injury, while cultivating a sustainable practice.
4. ONE STEP AT A TIME: Everything we desire in life starts with a plan, and the most successful plan begins with a solid foundation. Yoga teaches us that foundation is everything. It begins with our state of mind and our breath, followed by the the pose, literally building us from the ground up, creating a solid base from which we can expand. This mindfulness helps us meet our goals on and off the mat. Do you strive to feel better in your body, to bounce back from an injury or illness, to maintain optimal weight, to improve your posture, to sleep better, to elevate your mood and state of mind? Yoga will give you a leg up.
5. BACK OFF AND LISTEN: It’s been said that first the body whispers, then it whimpers, and then it screams. The habitual way we sit, stand, walk, sleep, and even exercise are the perfect recipe for compression and screaming back pain. Yoga thankfully shows us how to move our spine in a variety of ways that helps create extension, space, and a vital awareness. It helps us understand how slight adjustments in our everyday movement can translate to a healthy spine and alleviate most chronic issues that so often hold us back.
6. ARE YOU BREATHING? Hopefully if you have read this far then the answer is a resounding YES! We so often unconsciously hold our breath or generally pay very little attention to it. Yoga asks the question, how and what is the quality of your breath and how connected to your breath are you? To learn some breathing techniques and to redefine our relationship with breathing is profoundly beneficial once we bring more awareness to it. So… “Breathe In. Breathe Out. Repeat”
7. TAKE YOUR TIME: We are great at convincing ourselves that “I just don't have the time!” or “Once I get (fill in the blank) done, I’ll find the time.” But for most, that time never comes. Weeks turn into months, months turn into years, and still we just haven't found the time. “But I’m going to”, we keep telling ourselves, and then another year passes. Start taking time for yourself today. Yoga, in a subtle way, can help you carve out the time, and unplug from your daily to-do lists. Quite frankly, it’s hard to think about anything else besides the task at hand during a Yoga practice. There’s just you, your mat, and your breath, and some pose that may sound impossible. Once you get a chance to experience an hour unplugged, you’ll crave more. You’ll find yourself making the time. A couple of hours a week, then a few more, and before you know it, taking time to connect with yourself on a daily basis will be as important as everything else, maybe even more so. Yoga is like the mask that deploys from the ceiling on a plane offering you oxygen, and reminding you..you’re no good to anyone else, if you don’t take care of yourself first.
8. THE BALANCING ACT: Yes, Yoga helps with our physical ability to balance, but I’m going a little deeper here. The Sanskrit word “Yoga” by definition means “to yolk”, “union”, “to unite”. Fundamentally, it’s teachings will bring us back into balance on a completely wholistic level. In time, Yoga helps us observe, recognize and ultimately bring into balance all of our strengths and limitations. Hallelujah!
9. IT’S NOT A COMPETITION: Yoga looks different for everyone. Whether you want to turn your world upside down and experience a handstand or to simply sit still and breathe, Yoga provides the opportunity to explore it all and much more along the way. Each person I have worked with this past decade came with their own set of needs and unique history. My 90 year old client, having been wheelchair bound with MS for 50 years just wanted to sit up a little taller, have fun wiggling her toes, and to find more space to take a deep breath. Another client, recovering from a head injury, wanted relief from his persistent headaches, so finding time to slow down, unwind and move on his Yoga mat was a time the headaches were noticeably less bothersome! Everyone’s Yoga journey is personal and unique for each and every one of them.
10. TAKE IT INTO THE WORLD: Only 10% of Yoga happens on the mat, the other 90% is what we take into the world. It doesn't take long before Yoga has this magical way of appearing in every part of our life. We begin to have more patience with ourselves and others. Our ability to manage our expectations and limitations improves. We start saying goodbye to choices that don’t serve us and begin choosing those that do, almost effortlessly. We begin to rewire. Whether its diet, relationships, work, or finding time to do the things we love, the positive effects of Yoga reach far beyond our time spent on the mat.
Thank you for letting me share my passion for a practice that has given so much to me and those I share it with. It is a constant gift, that comes in many forms. Public classes can be the perfect setting, inspiring you with the energy and support of fellow students. Private instruction with personal attention to your individual needs might feel more appropriate. This is your path. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. For some this might be the first step in a new direction. For others, it might be a return to the practice. To both, I would say… “Welcome!”
*Alexandra Wescourt is a Yoga Alliance Registered and Certified Instructor. She lives in Thousand Oaks with her husband and daughter and through her business Meet You on the Mat enjoys working solely on a private one to one basis with her Yoga clients. Any inquires please feel free to email her at Alex@MeetYouOnTheMat.com
