Hi, it's Joyce from the YMCA of Laurel Highlands.
It was a cold and rainy weekend, you know normal for late April here in Western Pennsylvania. I had nothing special planned so I signed up for a Yoga Certification program online. I would be spending 16 hours in two days with people from across the country learning about Yoga.
I have already been certified to teach Yoga through SilverSneakers and YogaFit, but I needed to get recertified in order to move forward in my practice and become a better teacher.
There were 17 women and one instructor signed into a Zoom meeting at 9:00 on Saturday morning. Some of these women were instructors like myself and some had taken yoga classes and had hopes of becoming an instructor. Now there were a few who had no idea what yoga was but wanted to learn something new. (I say, good for them.)
Just in case there are a few of you that don't know what Yoga is, let me give you a quick rundown. Yoga is an ancient practice that originated 5,000 years ago in what is now known as India.
It was a cold and rainy weekend, you know normal for late April here in Western Pennsylvania. I had nothing special planned so I signed up for a Yoga Certification program online. I would be spending 16 hours in two days with people from across the country learning about Yoga.
I have already been certified to teach Yoga through SilverSneakers and YogaFit, but I needed to get recertified in order to move forward in my practice and become a better teacher.
There were 17 women and one instructor signed into a Zoom meeting at 9:00 on Saturday morning. Some of these women were instructors like myself and some had taken yoga classes and had hopes of becoming an instructor. Now there were a few who had no idea what yoga was but wanted to learn something new. (I say, good for them.)
Just in case there are a few of you that don't know what Yoga is, let me give you a quick rundown. Yoga is an ancient practice that originated 5,000 years ago in what is now known as India.
It was
brought to the USA in 1893 during the Chicago World’s Fair. Physical yoga
became popular in the 1930s using poses and breathing to create a flow style
that is used today. History lesson over.
In 2010
researchers from The University of Maryland determine that yoga equals or
surpasses standard exercise in improving balance, decreasing anxiety, improving
mood and sleep, decreasing pain, lowering cholesterol and improving quality of
life. It will also aid in prevention of
osteoporosis by making bones grow stronger.
Now some
people will say that Yoga is Non-Christian. Originally, yes, it was! The word “yoga” means
to yoke or join together. It connects
your breath with your action. Some yoga
teaches Chakras, which are energy centers within your body. Others teach Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas, and or
Pranayamas. People can spend many years
and thousands of dollars to get enlightened.
The kind
of yoga I teach at the YMCA is Fitness Yoga.
I call it Christian Yoga so people will know before they come into class
that I will not be focusing on any philosophy that is against their
relationship with God. I use the poses
to strengthen, invigorate, improve balance, flexibility, and relieve
stress. I also teach YogaStretch, which
is a Yoga Class that is taught in, beside, and behind a chair. There is no floorwork in this class. Participants wear their shoes but still get
the benefits of a yoga class.
Most
peoples’ favorite part of a Yoga Class is Savanasa, meditation and
relaxation. I like to end my class with
a time of breathing exercises, self - massage and visualization to quiet their
bodies and their minds. Did you know
that we average 60,000 thoughts per day?
Sometimes it’s nice to just turn off our minds and focus on our
breath. If this sounds nice to you, join
me at the YMCA or any other facility that offers Yoga taught by a trained
instructor. It could change your life or
at least help you to relax for 60 minutes.
No comments:
Post a Comment