As a fitness fanatic, I’ve explored almost every variation of exercise there is available to me on this planet. As a female, I tend to over think more than I should…a lot…well, practically everything. What do these two parts of my life have in common you ask? I’ll tell you: a form of one helps resolve the other. Yoga is more than earthy crunchy vegan-eating hippies on foam mats; it’s a practice you can take with you throughout life. For me, yoga focuses on so many aspects that can be translated literally, as well as transformed into a thought process.

Here are my top 3 reasons to practice yoga (a subset of a much longer list that I’ll spare you from…it gets quite complicated).

1. Balance.

This is a daily challenge for me. On the mat, my balance is supreme. Internally, my scale tends to shift into the land of “all or nothing”; a positive quality in some aspects, but can prove to be quite toxic in others. “Vivre pour trouver la beauté dans la force et l’equilibre”. Or, “live to find beauty in strength and balance”. When we balance, we align our body’s center of gravity with the earth’s gravitational field. Quite literally, we place ourselves in physical equilibrium with a fundamental force of nature. But we can’t achieve this harmony by remaining absolutely still. Instead, we must refresh our balance moment after a moment. The sustained effort to center and recenter, when successful, brings not only our flesh and bones into balance but also our nerve impulses, thoughts, emotions, and very consciousness. Hence, we feel calm. Equilibrium brings equanimity.

Balance has taken on a new meaning to me; I can put into action on and off the mat. It’s something to be sought after in all paths of life: friends, family, significant others, work, play, fitness, nutrition: all can be managed with a little bit of balance.

2. Let things go.

Only we have the power to choose what affects us and what doesn’t. Through yoga, I have learned to be conscious of that decision, hold myself accountable to my reaction to ‘the situation’, and deal with the outcome, whether good or bad. One day I can hold a warrior 3 for what seems like hours, the next day maybe only a few seconds; one day a rude comment , the next day I don’t even hear it. Both scenarios have happened, and so have both reactions.

“I’d still rather be in control,” and it occurs to me that we have tapped into one of the central dichotomies of human life. Put simply, it looks like this: You do your best to control reality, to make your life work smoothly and efficiently. You also strive to keep your emotions and mind under control. At the same time, part of you is craving  for A FLOW. Somewhere deep down, you know that a crisis or a meltdown can serve to push you past the psychic barriers you erect against the unpredictable and lead you back to the roller-coaster-like sense of freedom that can arise when your plans are suddenly overturned.

3. If you don’t like something, CHANGE IT.

Didn’t Maya Angelou speak the truth when she said , “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.”

This moral speaks to me. I’ve always said that no one has the right to think something negative about the overweight guy at the gym because, hey, he is actively trying to change. If you don’t like your job, get a new one. If you have negative friends, find new ones.  If you don’t like your outfit choice, for the love -CHANGE. If you’re tired of the same routine, find a new hobby…pick up a book…VOLUNTEER!

The same applies to the mat: if a stretch is uncomfortable, change positions. If today’s practice reveals that downward dog is more of a workout than a relaxation, move into child’s pose. Seeing a trend here? Force the dark energy out of you that comes from actively choosing to live in a negative state and transition into the light. You’ll thank yourself, and so will everyone else around you. (no one likes a complainer). If you can’t change it, change the way you perceive it. If you can’t change the way you perceive it, practice yoga and see what happens……

I’m not one to push fitness trends or exercises on you, but yoga is different. I encourage you to embrace the positive lifestyle a consistent yoga practice brings. Find balance, make the choice to not let trivial rubbish affect you, change whatever makes you unhappy, and love to love! ♥