Hello everyone and happy Wednesday!
This week has been my first normal week after a week of traveling for work. I, for one, am happy to have some structure back in my life. Although it is nice to change things up every once in a while, I am someone who thrives on routine.
Now that we are back to regularly scheduled programming, I wanted to share something that I have been trying lately. One of my new year’s resolutions was to try to incorporate yoga more in my life. I have tried it a few times in the past, but really wanted to make more of an effort to learn and adopt the practice. I think it would be a great new form of exercise and would be helpful when it comes to mindfulness and calming my mind.
My goal was to do yoga at least once a week, whether it was through an in-person class, virtual class or through YouTube. It’s been a few months into the new year and I am proud to say I have practiced yoga at least once a week since the beginning of 2025.
I have done a mix of virtual classes and in-person classes through a local yoga studio. The yoga studio had a special going on where you could purchase five classes to try over the course of six months. I have been trying to go at least once a month and try different classes. I tried a basic class after work one night which was the perfect way to calm my mind after a hectic day at work. The basic class was very slow moving and focused on breathing and clearing your mind with some stretching. It was an hour-long class and I can’t tell you the last time I was so calm and relaxed. My mind, which is typically going in one hundred different directions, was so still. It felt so good to take an hour with no distractions and just focus on me. The second class I tried was called flow and it was a bit more intense and faster and lasted an hour. This one focused on more stretching and different yoga positions and moves. I felt like I got more of a workout during this class as opposed to clearing my mind and focusing on me.
Besides the in-person classes, I have also been doing some virtual yoga classes. I have been taking them through Zen with Jen. She teaches both in person and online yoga classes. I have done some of her virtual yoga classes which are typically a half hour. I can do them at my house, with my mat after a long day and it brings me peace and relaxation.
She also has a podcast where she offers mindful tips, yoga practices and advice. I have really enjoyed her evening classes. They aren’t too long, they offer a mix of breathing, meditation, and yoga stretching. She creates such a soothing atmosphere even being hundreds of miles away. Her weekly podcast offers a relaxing few minutes that I love to carve out at the start of my days and weeks.
As someone who is always on the go, I have found so many health benefits to trying yoga and slowing down. It has led me to focus on being present and not doing ten different things, it allows me to clear my mind, and has been a great technique to help me relax.
Practicing mindfulness and meditation has also been helpful when it comes to lowering my stress levels and taking a few deep breaths to put things in perspective.
I have really been pleased with my yoga journey so far and I can’t wait to continue it. If you are someone who has tried yoga, what are your thoughts on it? What advice do you have. I would love to be on this journey with you. I hope you have a soothing day and I will see you back here for another Friday Favorites this coming Friday!