Summary

The website content discusses the author's personal experience with yoga, emphasizing its benefits for managing aches and pains, and how regular practice has become an integral part of their lifestyle.

Abstract

The author shares a journey of discovering yoga as a primary exercise routine, detailing how it has helped them manage chronic pain that medical professionals often dismissed. Over eight years of practice, the author has found that regular yoga sessions, particularly during stressful periods, alleviate physical discomfort and contribute to overall well-being. The author's commitment to yoga intensified when they lived close to a studio, leading to daily practice during a particularly challenging time. The narrative highlights the importance of listening to one's body and the supportive environment provided by yoga instructors who tailor classes to address students' needs. The author expresses gratitude for the positive impact of yoga on their life and aims to maintain a yoga lifestyle for its anti-inflammatory benefits and holistic healing.

Opinions

The author initially perceived medical professionals as dismissive of their severe aches and pains, which were not evident through medical examinations.
Yoga has been transformative for the author, providing relief where traditional medicine fell short.
The proximity to a yoga studio and the studio's welcoming approach, including a two-week unlimited trial, significantly increased the author's engagement with yoga.
The author believes that their body's aches are a reminder to continue practicing yoga, suggesting a causal relationship between yoga practice and reduced pain.
The author values the personalized attention from yoga instructors, who are attentive to the physical and emotional needs of their students.
There is a recognition that emotional stress can manifest physically, and yoga serves as a restorative practice to address both aspects.
The author is determined to prioritize yoga as a means to improve their health and reduce inflammation, drawing on knowledge from psychology classes.
A deep sense of gratitude is expressed towards all yoga instructors, past and present, for their role in the author's wellness journey.
The author aspires to integrate yoga into their lifestyle as long as they are physically capable.

A Focus on Yoga

or What I have noticed, especially during gaps, the longer I practice.

Do you have a “go to” exercise routine? Whether an outdoor or indoor studio, my favorite has been instructor-led yoga.

Before I began doing any yoga, I would notice severe aches or pains more often than the subtle shifts. Those aches usually didn’t mean much to the doctors. What felt severe to me did not show as something obvious or worth doing anything about (yet) to the doctor.

A lot of times it felt like being between a rock and a hard place. I had to learn to live with how I felt, somehow. It could mean Ibuprofen or a long nap. Although not often, it possibly disrupted the regular routine or schedule of my life.

My Yoga History

I have been practicing yoga for about 8 years. First, I participated in classes offered at the gym and at the student recreation center. My first instructor happened to be at both!

A few years ago, I came to a point where I knew I needed to do yoga more often than current classes offered. By this time, I happened to live a few blocks from a studio — a five-minute walking distance!

On my first visit, I learned I could pay $20 (now $22) and try as many classes as I wanted to for two weeks. Perfect timing!

The end of the semester assignments and finals loomed in the near future. Plus, I had agreed to be the chapter director in my city for Startup Grind. I had to figure out how to set everything up for my first event, including the interview.

Just writing these last few sentences tightened up my muscles. Ouch!

The studio had a different vibe from the other places. Many of the instructors would do a “check-in,” either as you registered or for the first few minutes of class. They wanted to be able to incorporate the needs of the students, even if it completely changed what had been prepared.

I went EVERY DAY for those two weeks.

Every day, I would feel GREAT after class.

Every day, the aches would return, making me grateful to participate in another class.

When the two weeks were up, I slowed down, going as much as I could.

I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts here, that after going last summer twice a week, I probably went twice all winter. Now I know when I get aches and pains it is likely because I haven’t been to yoga.

My body is reminding me that I need to go.

I’ve been making the effort to climb out of the hole that seemed to sink me down for eight months.

In a few weeks, I’ll be able to do summer unlimited. Until then, I have made it to one weekly class twice in a row, and I intend to continue.

More About the Class

When checking in last week with the instructor of the class I referred to, I mentioned current or recent aches. Shoulders, and especially hips, I am used to. Knees hurting are weird.

The instructor replied that it is funny how much we carry.

I said that I don’t even know WHAT is being carried. (If I did, I would write about it or at least know what to work on).

The instructor said she’d just had the same conversation with another woman in the class. What do you do, then?

My bottom line was that I was happy to be there. I made myself go and knew I would feel better. “Restorative Unwindings” has helped me twice in a row.

I’m going to keep pulling myself up to get out of that hole, which includes participating in this class.

As I get to a second or third class within a week, the aches and pains will subside. Plus, maybe I’ll figure out what I need to work out.

If I have learned anything from psychology classes, it is that inflammation is a common factor to being ill. Remove the inflammation and see what else goes away, too.

Yoga helps me with the goal of less inflammation.

So thankful to ALL my yoga instructors, past and current.

I want a yoga lifestyle for as long as I am able to breathe.

Namaste.

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