Set Higher Standards by YogiRavi

I’ve been doing yoga for over 5 years fairly consistently. I began after injuring myself while training for a marathon back in 2002. In 2003, I injured myself again training for an Ironman Triathlon (fell while running and hurt my knee pretty badly). I reverted back to yoga again and saw that my fitness was not only maintained, but I was actually running faster after a month of daily yoga sessions than before my injury.

Since then I have explored different styles of yoga. Including Bikram, Vinyasa, Jivakumti and Ashtanga. My practice is a Vinyasa (“flow”) style and it never stops to challenge. Yoga should be part of any training or fitness plan. Here are a few reasons why:

1. It’s all about you. Once you’ve learned the basics, it’s just you and the ground. You don’t need any fancy equipment, clothing or other accoutrement’s. You don’t need to go to a studio (though it helps at first). You don’t need to have good weather. You don’t need a lot of space. There are no excuses. It’s the most convenient form of exercise available.
2. It integrates your mind & body. It forces the body and mind to be completely present. You can go trail running while thinking about what you are going to do over the weekend or what to make for dinner, but try doing Natarajasana aka “Dancer” (poorly illustrated by me in the pic…your hips should be flat, leg higher and body parallel to the ground) without complete awareness and you will be on the ground.
3. It’s about balance. It creates a supreme balance in the body. Since you are using your own body, you develop muscles in the proper manner with perfect symmetry and balance. Unlike weight lifting, you are less likely to develop muscle imbalances that will result in injury or poor posture. Yoga also exploits your weaknesses. If your lower back has been neglected, you will feel it. If your core is not strong, you will find out! Yoga is a total body workout, and helps you discover your problem areas before they start causing you problems!
4. It’s infinitely challenging and full of variety. There are poses and variations that will challenge even the most advanced practitioner. The variety is limitless. You can do a relaxing restorative practice, inversions, fast-paced Vinyasa routines, Pranayama, meditation or hold certain poses for long periods of time to get a deeper sense of awareness.
5. It makes you feel good. Out of all the sports I’ve done, yoga makes me feel the best after I am done. Totally relaxed yet alert.