"Yoga is not about touching your toes. It’s about what you learn on the way down." – Jigar Gor
In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get caught up in goals and focus on results.
We often measure our success by tangible outcomes, like how far we can reach or how flexible we are. But yoga offers us a different perspective, one that has the power to radically transform your relationship with yourself and your body.
“Yoga is not about touching your toes. It’s about what you learn on the way down.”
This quote by Jigar Gor accurate reflects the ethos of Yoga Circle’s Online membership.
Each time we come to our mat, we practice letting go of perfection and embrace the sometimes-messy process of “being human”.
Yoga is a time to connect with your body and your mind. To lovingly listen to what your body is telling you and to practice honouring its current state. Which often involves letting go of our ego, or what we wish is would be. Which makes every movement and every breath a steps toward greater self-awareness and self-acceptance.
For those of us who spend our days sitting at a desk or tending to physically demanding jobs, or feel torn between our roles, yoga becomes a sanctuary. A time in a day to “red rope” and protect. A time to invite more movement, to tend to the sore or stiff bits and a time to connect to our breath and steady our minds. And when we do this we are open to learning.
Here’s what you might learn on the way down:
1. Self-Compassion: We learn to be kind to ourselves. It’s okay if we can’t touch our toes right now. What matters is that we keep the promises we make to ourselves and we keep showing up”
2. Patience: As we move through the postures, we learn to be patient with our bodies. We come to understand it is a yoga practice we are doing not a “yoga perfect”
3. Body Awareness: We become more attuned to our bodies, recognizing the areas that need more attention and care. This awareness helps prevent injuries and promotes overall well-being.
4. Breath Awareness: We notice our breath and are the able to move from shallow breathing to deeper, more mindful breaths that ground us and enhance our overall well-being.
5. Mindfulness: Yoga brings us into the present moment. It teaches us to focus on our breath, the alignment of our bodies, and the sensations we feel. And gives us plenty opportunity to practice stilling our “monkey minds” This mindfulness extends beyond the mat, helping us to be more present in our daily lives.
Inner Strength: Each pose connects to find our inner strength. We discover that we can “breathe and feel discomfort”, and this has the potential to empowers us in all areas of life.
So, whether you are an office worker dealing with stiffness from sitting, a nurse tired after a long shift, a gardener with a sore back, yoga is for you. It will help you move with ease.
If you want to age with strength, flexibility and balance, so you can play with your grandbabies on the floor or simply clean the bottom of the shower without difficulty then a regular yoga is for you. It will help you invite more movement and increase functionality as you age. It is a side effect of a regular practice.
Join Us! Ready to start your yoga journey? For only $45 (NZ) Our online yoga membership offers 10 live classes a week and access to over 100 pre-recorded sessions, perfect for busy women like you. Let’s embark on this path of discovery and wellness together. Comment ME below and I will send you the details for a FREE trial so you can see for yourself the difference it can make in your life!