In our fast-paced world where so many demands are placed on us, it’s important to find ways to nurture yourself.
There are many ways you can support your commitment to self-care, and yoga is one practice that has many benefits. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, yoga can help reduce lower back pain and overall stress, lower heart rate and blood pressure, relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia and improve strength and flexibility.
If you’re hesitant to explore yoga because images of people wearing tight clothes twisting their bodies into pretzels pops up in your mind, try to let that go. The reality is that anyone can practice yoga, no matter their body type, mobility or skill level. If you have the will, there’s definitely a way!
Finding a class that fits your needs might take a bit of legwork, but it’s definitely worth it. There’s no shortage of great yoga options in Memphis and the Mid-South; at Church Health alone, we offer yoga for children, chair yoga, and everything in between. You’ll also find programs at yoga studios, gyms, community centers and local churches. Give yourself permission to let go of judgement and expectation when you attend your first class.
I recently received a phone call from a potential student. Their doctor had recommended that they practice yoga to assist them in controlling high blood pressure. They were in their 70’s and wanted to know if it was too late to start yoga. My answer was that it’s never too late. If your doctor recommends that you try it, just let the staff at the yoga program know why they referred you so you can be placed in the right class.
Whatever form of yoga you decide to try, view it as a gift that you are giving to yourself. You will feel the benefits while you are practicing it, but even more importantly you are creating better health for your future by making it a part of your life right now.
To learn more about our community yoga classes at Church Health, go to ChurchHealth.org/CreativeMovementStudio.
This is Kimberly Baker for Church Health.