The Emotional Benefits of Yog-ahh!

In this article, I wanted to share with you one of my greatest passionsand recommendations

for all of my clients to help them de-stress, findbalance, and get in shape- yoga. I have been practising this ancientform of fitness, meditation, and relaxation for over half my lifealready. I was introduced to Kundalini yoga at the tender age of 19-a form of intense, sweat-producing postures and very fast breathingtechniques, which literally changed my life. At the time, I wasexperiencing really bad bouts of depression an anxiety and afterlearning the poses, movements, and proper breathing techniques, I feltmuch happier, lighter, and much more relaxed. I was completely blownaway by this simple workout', which was also deeply rooted inspirituality and mindfulness.

Over the past 20 years, I have tried every type of yoga I can get myhands on via taking in-person classes and listening to CD's andwatching videos. I can honestly say that I love everykind of yoga Ihave tried from the slow, meditative kind called 'yin yoga' where youhold postures for roughly seven minutes to the more vigorous flowingdance-like series called 'ashtanga'. But the one type of yoga that Iprefer the most (and have practised for over six years now at leastthree times a week) is Bikram's hot yoga- a series of 26 hatha(beginner) postures done twice each in a super-hot room (average heatis 105 degrees). I know it's not for everyone, but I am a completeaddict and actually look forward eagerly to 'sweating it out' in a hotcrowded room with others who are often grumpy, smelly, and irritated.Some days are harder than others and I really don't feel likestretching and being instructed loudly by a yoga teacher who talksnon-stop for 90 minutes, but in the six years I've been practisingthis yoga, I have NEVER regretted doing a class once it's over.

For me, yoga is so much more than simply exercising the body. I findthat it's a great way to cultivate self-discipline- especially ofone's mind. There is nothing that will trigger your irritability morethan being stuck in an incredibly hot, humid room full of other peoplewhile being expected to perform an entire 90 minutes of challengingexercise. Sometimes I actually feel murderous and want to screamobscenities at the teacher or the person next to me, wrigglingaround, and most definitely, not contributing to my inner peace. As a psychotherapist, Iconsider this release of extreme feelings as an 'emotional cleansing' andfind it incredibly therapeutic.

Let' face it- we all go through major stressful events in our lives- often on adaily basis-and don't have time to process them emotionally. We justmove ahead with our lives- going through our routines- simply gettingthe job of living done. Where do these feelings go? Inside! We stuff,suppress, ignore, and deny what we're feeling underneath until thereis a large 'emotional stew' bubbling away inside us, just under thesurface. And when we don't acknowledge and express these feelings,they just compile; one on top of the other until our emotional cup' runneth over and we end up exploding in rage, crying jags, or succumbto physical illness.

That's where yoga can be a real lifesaver. The word "yoga" actuallymeans, "union of body and mind"- it's purpose being to balance us outphysically, mentally, and spiritually. I recommend yoga to nearly allof my clients as a method to:

release traumas held in the cells of the body Get some much needed 'me time' Learn how to relax and meditate Relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety Improve body awareness and body image Relieve various forms of physical illnesses in the body which are tied

to emotions

Happy stretching!

The Emotional Benefits of Yog-ahh!

By: Esther Kane

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