3 Important Things Yoga Has Taught Me

Since I started practicing yoga back in 2014, and then moving to teaching in 2016, yoga has taught me an abundance of lessons. It's been my biggest passion in life, (besides hockey- but I don't play and my skating skills are questionable, so...), and my favorite form of movement. It's given me community, friends, self-love, and connected me with people in ways I couldn't have pictured. It's also taught me some amazing life lessons that have totally changed how I handle everyday challenges. For me, three big takeaways stand out. Here's what they are and why they've been pivotal for me.

1- Patience & slowing down

When I was younger, I had a lot of anxiety and stress- I was constantly wound up about something and was so impatient, I would become a giant stress ball, causing myself unnecessary panic. It always felt like I had to be doing something, be somewhere, rush through things. I wasn't taking the time to appreciate the world around me and just live. Finding yoga and the slow, simpleness of it all really grounded me. Learning to regulate my nervous system through breathing techniques gave me something I had been missing in my life. Now, in the middle of hectic days, endless distractions, and unforeseen circumstances, yoga has become my safe place to really appreciate every moment. It's taught me to be kinder to myself, to enjoy the journey without rushing toward the finish line, or being in some imaginary state of being. Now, every day feels a bit more relaxed, showing me how strong it is to be patient, how refreshing it is to feel more calm. Through deep breathing and deliberate movements, I discovered how to quiet the noise within and appreciate the present. I still get stressed and things upset me sometimes, but this practice has given me the tools to be better equipped to deal with the unpleasant things (I still get worked up about my hockey team, but am definitely trying to work on that 😂).

2- Body awareness & using modifications in my practice

I remember when I first started taking classes, I had zero idea how my body was supposed to be positioned. If I could go back in time and look at my alignment in some of those early days, I'd be mortified. I became friends with my teachers, and started asking questions about certain postures- I couldn't believe all of their insights- by just asking and learning how to properly align my body into a specific pose, I learned how my body should feel, not look, when practicing. I have become a stickler for alignment in my classes, encouraging my own students to be aware of their bodies, and adjusting them where needed.

Similarly, when I started, I also had to go full steam ahead at all times. If I wasn't in the full expression of the pose and exerting myself, I figured I must not be doing it correctly. I would notice parts of my body would hurt after working through certain postures and I couldn't figure out why. Again, I asked questions about why certain postures made my body feel worse, rather than having the intended effect. My teachers helped me understand that sometimes less is more, and that modifying a pose or using props didn't mean I was failing—it meant I was practicing safely and mindfully. I started taking their advice to my practice, and it was a game changer. I felt better, was able to practice longer, and avoided the necessary after pains. This shift in perspective transformed my practice and made me appreciate the journey over the destination.

3- To love & appreciate my body

This one might be the most important to me and most definitely the most personal. As I'm sure many of you can relate, I have always felt more negatively about my body rather than in a favorable manner. At the beginning of my yoga journey, I was comparing myself to all of the other women in the classes. There was a constant loop of thoughts running through my head: "she's thinner than me. her hips are smaller than mine, I definitely can't do that pose, why am I the only one struggling"- as you can imagine the list of my "shortcomings" would go on and on. But over time, those thoughts began to dwindle. I would absolutely be lying if I said I never thought anything unpleasant about myself, but the voice inside my head is much smaller, quieter. The years of practice have given me an appreciation for how strong my body is- the stamina and endurance it takes to move, breathe, and flow. I've learned to celebrate my body's capabilities rather than criticize its appearance. Yoga has taught me to focus on what my body can do rather than how it looks. This change in mindset has been incredibly empowering, allowing me to develop a sense of gratitude and self-love. Though the journey hasn’t been easy, it has been profoundly rewarding.

The more I practice yoga, the more I learn, and the more I come to understand. Not only about myself, but about my community, the world around me- what it means to other people. I know that the lessons yoga has taught me aren't the same for everyone, and I always love hearing from others what it means to them. Hearing how it has changed someone's life, or why it's so important to them never fails to make me smile :)

I appreciate all of you who took the time to read this! I'd love any feedback- send me a direct message via my instagram ♥️

If you're in the Denver Metro Area, come and visit me at Corepower Yoga Cherry Hills | Friday Morning's at 7am for Hot Power Fusion & Saturday Evenings at 5:15pm for Hot Yoga- you may also see my name on the sub schedule for Cherry Hills, Broadway or Cherry Creek from time to time :)