5 reasons yoga made me a better person.

This year has been a plot twist of its own, if you couldn't have guessed. However, i am almost completely finished with therapy! I cannot believe I am saying this, but it is a bittersweet feeling. I have grown to love my therapists who wish me nothing but the best and share in my highs and lows weekly. Not being able to fully return to dance class yet, I have become quite the yogi while looking for activity that will help me regain strength and flexibility. 

What most don't realize, is that with awesome abs and a zen mindset come a few life lessons too. I can explain 5 of my favorites below:

1. it's not a competition

Admittedly, this has been difficult for me. I have always wanted to be the best at anything and everything I do. Yoga is about doing your practice for you. Not  comparing it to anyone else's. Similarly, in life, you cannot compare your journey to anyone else's. It's the root to all failure. I have learned to focus on myself and do what feels right and benefits my body most. (Although when the ballerina from Tulsa Ballet came to class Sunday I ultimately decided my leg could go a little higher and I could hold my poses a little longer... oops!)

2. patience

As silly as it sounds, holding highly uncomfortable poses for lengthy periods of time is the best way I have ever instilled patience and self discipline in myself. The feeling of relaxing into Child's Pose after a long time in Extended Side Angle is only so sweet if you garner patience and persistence. As in life, the saying is true, "Good things come to those who wait."

3. the early bird gets the worm

Remember when your teacher used to say, "early is on time, and on time is late." Well when it comes to getting a space at Saturday morning hot yoga, teachers knew best. Valuable for more than just yoga, being prompt never hurt anyone. If you tend to be late, maybe you need something to motivate you. Getting a good spot where I can see the teacher/ yet hide from him at the same time is enough motivation for me:)

4. clear your mind of anything outside of your practice.

We run continually with a mental to do list in our minds. It can be both helpful and toxic. Spending so much time in yoga has helped me realize that I deserve time to devote to refreshing my mind and body. We move so fast, and multitask so often that we lack time spent to benefit our health. Oddly enough, health is the one thing we shouldn't be compromising.

5. breathe

I promise. This is one you won't regret. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Life becomes so much easier when you just breathe. I have struggled so much with fear that my life won't turn out as I planned. Well I can promise I never planned what has happened my senior year. However, I have learned the valuable lesson to just breathe. And just be. Everything is taken care of. Just work hard, be kind to others, and the rest will take care of itself. Plus, when you breathe.. You enjoy life more. 

Namesté,

Heather