June 14, 2017 - Yoga

"You Create Your Own Calm"

Last week I was really struggling with depression. I don't feel that anything in particular triggered my feelings - they just were what they were. I was feeling a sense of loss. Missing my parents, and continuing to adjust to changes in my home life. This week I decided to take steps towards improving my mental  health. I am striving to do the things I've been blogging about - being mindful, being grateful for my blessings and finding joy in my journey. I used to do yoga on a fairly regular basis and have been out of the practice for a couple of years. I decided returning to yoga would be a good place to start. So Sunday evening I pulled out my mat, set up outside in the evening and did yoga. It felt wonderful! Last night I was feeling very frustrated. Instead of comforting myself with a bowl of ice cream, I pulled out the yoga mat again and did a restorative practice. Tonight I did another 15 minutes. It's amazing how good just a short routine makes me feel!

If you've never practiced yoga I urge you to give it a try. Some of the physical benefits of yoga are:

• Increased flexibility.
• Increased muscle strength and tone.
• Improved respiration, energy and vitality.
• Maintaining a balanced metabolism.
• Weight reduction.

Just as important to me - and maybe more important, are the mental benefits. As stated in Psychology Today, "Yoga increases body awareness, relieves stress, reduces muscle tension, strain, and inflammation, sharpens attention and concentration, and calms and centers the nervous system."

I plan to get back into a more regular yoga routine. If you want to join me, remember it doesn't have to be a long session, even a short restorative yoga session will calm the mind.

 
Days 175-184