Some people come to yoga hoping to look like their favorite celebrity who practices yoga. They want to look lean and good on the outside. There are others who come seeking relief from stress, tension or body aches. Whatever the reasons are, if they continued with the practice of yoga, they receive far more than what they came for.
The most valuable lesson I received from yoga is the awareness of my breath.
Until I found yoga and meditation, I had never consciously paused to notice my breath. As you are reading this, stop for a moment. Notice your breath.
I have learned that my breathing pattern is highly dependent on my mood. I was taught in a meditation class once to think of something (or someone) that made me feel angry, sad or frustrated and to observe my breath in that moment. What I noticed was my breathing felt stuck and irregular. The teacher then told us to control our breath by inhaling and exhaling deeper. After a few minutes of deep breathing, I could feel my mood shifting to a neutral state.
Realizing the fact that I could shift my state of mind simply by controlling my breath was an awakening moment in my life.
I finally learned how to breathe!
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