As yoga becomes more popular, I receive a broader range of people interested in classes. People tell me their ages, their aches and pains, weight issues and emphasize that they are total beginners (no headstands or pretzel poses please!).
All of the above is valuable information, helping me to get a better idea of the person on the other end of the line. The most important question I ask is: “What do you want yoga to do for you?” Most reply that they need to relax, learn how to breath properly and get centered. “Yes, “I say. These people really understand what their body is craving, and the key to the whole process is proper breathing and stretching.
Good yoga classes incorporate breath with every pose. Deep abdominal breathing enriches the blood with oxygen. Sending more oxygen to the heart reduces stress to the heart. Deep exhalations help the body to relax. You use the mind-breath reflex to reduce stress every time you yawn or sigh.
Perhaps the best kept secret about yoga is what long stretches do to the nervous system. The body has over seven miles of nerves. When they are lengthened through long stretches and strengthened with balancing poses, yoga students can begin to find their center; tension, anxiety and nervousness begin to melt away. As we stretch muscles, we stretch the nerve fibers which run through the muscles. Holding poses for over a minute helps to reach the nerves which are encased in connective tissue. Don’t rush the pose. Breath into the muscles. Focus on the exhalation to relax into the stretch. You’ll find your body will reward you with a sense of well being and greater flexibility. As one of my students puts the feeling’s “worth a million bucks.”
(Editor’s Note: Judy Denney has over 25 years of experience studying and teaching yoga. She has a studio in Poulsbo and may be reached at (360) 598-3137 or bentonyoga@yahoo.com.)
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