Get Centered

When people hear the word yoga, they likely envision the practice of stretching and strengthening the body through poses. Although this is the most popular form of yoga in the United States, it’s isn’t the only aspect of the discipline that can deliver a state of centeredness and inner peace. Other forms of yoga include breathing, meditation and chanting, which are often incorporated into yoga classes.

If you’re new to yoga, shop around before you take your first class. Look for classes that are labeled as gentle, basic, restorative or for beginners. Fast-moving, sweat-drenching classes are designed for more experienced yogis and are not the best choice for new students. “There are classes for all levels, all needs and all stages of life,” says Judith Hanson Lasater, a yoga teacher since 1971 and author of eight books, including, “Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times.”

“What people typically do is they pick the yoga class that’s down the street without any preparation,” says the San Francisco-based Lasater. “And then it’s too hard for them and they quit.” To avoid injury, start slowly and gradually move to more challenging classes as your strength and stamina increase. Lasater recommends taking at least one yoga class a week, and also practicing on your own. You don’t have to roll out your mat to do yoga. Deep breathing, meditation and bodily awareness can be practiced almost anywhere—at your desk, in the airport or even when you’re stuck in traffic. Yoga teaches you to tune into your body and become aware of when you’re hunched over the computer or holding tension in your body. This heightened awareness can also help you identify true hunger and avoid overeating when you’re stressed or bored, explains Lasater, who went down two pants sizes by becoming more aware of her eating habits and making small changes to her diet.

What sets apart this 5,000-year-old practice from other fitness activities is the ability to control the breath, calm the mind and find deep relaxation. “Breathing is the fastest and most physiologically effective way to change mood,” Lasater says. “If you’re tense, if you’re tired, if you’re angry, if you’re impatient, if you’re stressed, 10 deep breaths will completely change your world.”

One of the most powerful and challenging yoga postures is Savasana, which is typically performed at the end of a class or practice session. In this “corpse pose,” you lie on your back and completely let go of any thoughts or tension in your body. “Our lives are so busy and so active and so stressful,” Lasater says. “We know how to go for a jog or swim laps or get on the stationary bike, and those are all fabulous things, but we don’t know how to relax, lie down and rest and breathe, and do one thing at a time.”

Published in Feel Good | Live Well