ALl About YOGA / June Challenge
Have you ever heard someone say that you can heal your emotional wounds with yoga? I think there is a reason there are so many yoga gurus and people who incorporate this into their daily lives once they discover this beautiful and graceful practice! Yoga has been around for 5,000 years or more. The word Yoga was supposedly first introduced in an ancient Hindu text called the Rig Veda. It is a large collection of hymns in praise of the gods, which are chanted in various rituals.
The Rig Veda is a Hindu text and considered the foundational text of Hinduism. Yoga has deep roots in Hindu philosophy and religious practices. Around 2nd century BCE, a Sage called Maharshi Patanjali wrote the “Yoga Sutras.” Pantanjali is now considered the “father of modern yoga.” Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are a compilation of aphoristic Sanskrit sutras on the philosophy and practice of ancient yoga. In the script, there are eight limbs of yoga. It was created to obtain wisdom and self realization through movement. The Yoga Sutras are considered “spiritual,” and are not necessarily “religious”, although they are closely tied to Hinduism.
I have never delved deep into the study of yoga. I have practiced it in my own life and occasionally, I will do sun salutations to help my body relax and stretch. Through the little research I have done, it is clear to see that I was thinking of the poses as literally having the power to heal your emotional wounds. I have come to the realization that it is not just the poses that bring you that sense of healing, accomplishment and relief, it is the state of mind these poses bring you to. You develop your sense of self. You view your body as your own, you are moved to see your body as your home, because that is exactly what it is. Who are you outside of your material possessions? Who are you outside of your “identity?” Who do you WANT to be?
I have struggled with sitting down to meditate on a daily basis; I have trouble staying still and keeping my mind at ease. My mind runs a mile a minute! I am SURE the practice of yoga could have the same effect of meditation, if not a better one! Knowing that if you practice yoga enough, it will bring you to a new sense of self, is something that sparks my interest. I am tired of living in a constant loop of insecurity, doubt, comparison. This could be THE practice I need in my life. There is something so gravitational about the stress of today’s world. It pulls you in literally every direction. Nowadays, when I’m hand washing my dishes, I call it an “H2O meditation” haha. Everything is so freaking fast paced, it’s honestly overwhelming!
I am starting to see yoga as a way out. A way back to self. Away from the noise, into the beautiful autonomy of our own bodies. If we are careless with our bodies, what do you think the universe will think of the rest of our lives? Do we care? The life and spirit you are embodying is directly linked to your life around you.. It’s freaking magic!
In conclusion, I will be doing a 30 day yoga challenge for the month of June! I have had a really trying time this Spring, in all aspects. I do not wish to see my body suffer from emotional wounds that take forever to heal.. I cannot wait to see how I feel at the end of this!
My goal is to have slowed down A LOT, another goal is to stretch before every one of my shifts. This feels like a big challenge, but it’s exactly what I’ve been searching for. Presence, Care, Tenderness, Love, Silence, Discipline.
Check back during the month of June. I’ll be posting weekly.. Maybe you can join me in this challenge! That would be COOL! Check out the contact page and shoot me a message!
Thanks for reading! Xoxo
