with Helena McKinney, Founder of In Fine Feather Yoga
At some point in our lives, we have all experienced a certain level of stress, worry, doubt, anxiety and even panic. I think it is fair to say that during this pandemic we have all experienced heightened levels of these sensations. Some days it is easier than others to navigate our way through it. Some days the unknown is enough to make us want to stay in bed and not wake up until this is all over. But it is so essential that we keep showing up, the best we can, every day for ourselves and for each other even when it is hard. It can be really challenging creating healthy habits and patterns for ourselves when it feels like all of our energy reserves are depleted. BUT… guess what! Yoga and movement shifts, creates, cultivates and generates new energy in the body and mind. I like to compare it to convincing a kid to eat broccoli; they don’t want to eat their greens but you know the long term health benefits. You’ve got to do the hard thing because it’s the best thing for you. Adults, you need to ‘eat your greens’ too! Let’s explore just some of the benefits of a daily movement practice.
1. Benefits of Taking Deep Breaths in Yoga
Every yoga practice that we offer begins with slowing down the pace of your breath; softening all the muscles of respiration around the shoulders, ribs, and belly to take deeper, longer inhales and exhales. (I bet you already started paying attention to how you are breathing). When the body receives more oxygen, it invites our muscles, tissues and joints to release tension. Ahhhh, sigh of relief, you can let go for a minute. This also calms the nervous system which invites you to feel safer, calmer and less panicked. (You aren’t running from a bear or trying to put out a fire) Your heart rate will begin to slow down and you can often physically feel when this shift happens.
2. Yoga Stimulates the Body, Gets you Moving and Shifts Energy
Movement is the body's friction. Scientifically movement gets fluid moving in the body releasing all the ‘happy’ hormones and improving your overall mood. This is often why you feel fired up, more positive and lighter when you finish a workout or a class. When you stretch or build heat in your body you can process physical tension, tightness and discomfort that is often associated with localized stress and anxiety.
3. Yoga Brings you into the Present Moment and Helps you Focus
Every class encourages you to pay attention on a heightened level to how you are moving. This limits the mind’s ability to wander off into the experiences of your current life. When you are focusing inward to your body you are literally turning off your brain's quick reactions and responses to your stressful experiences which allows you to enjoy being in the present moment doing what you’re doing. This can lead to a general sensation of feeling more content, centred, secure and simply OK. Sometimes all we need is to feel ok and to distance ourselves from the chaos that surrounds us. Moving your body can become a daily reminder of your current strength, flexibility and endurance. All the qualities we need to get through the day!
4. Practice Creates a Positive Mindset for the Day
Once you have established a clearer head space for yourself, you might feel more equipped to set an intention and take on the day. Each yoga class with In Fine Feather will invite you to focus your attention on sensation and how you would like to feel. Perhaps you want to feel calm and more balanced; if you have achieved that in your practice, let it guide you into all the other tasks you need to complete. You can remind yourself of the calm and balance you cultivated in class. You are capable because you have witnessed it within yourself. You will feel more confident to handle anything that comes your way and you will have the resources to move through the challenging moments. How empowering is that?!!!
Hopefully you feel inspired to get up and get moving even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day. Perhaps next week it will be 20 and then 30 minutes. We have so many resources online to help support you with a home movement practice. Check out what we have available on our YouTube Channel. See what you can download from our website In Fine Feather Yoga. We also host LIVE classes every day. See our schedule HERE and reserve your spot for a session. Small steps accumulate and eventually get you to the next step. Any action is better than inaction. Starting somewhere is a start.
Keep a positive mindset and remember that all of the staff at In Fine Feather are here to support you! Reach out whenever you need. If you have more questions about igniting your Yoga practice, email info@infinefeatheryoga.com.
