What’s the point really?

The Significance of Yoga in Modern Life: Revolution

In this fast-paced, stressed out, global reach world of the 21st century, Yoga has emerged as a popular tool for promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Registered 200 hr Yoga Teacher Trainings are abundant, online subscriptions for Yoga classes come in all shapes and sizes, Yoga retreats can take you around the world and back again with just the click of a button. Yoga has gained widespread recognition in contemporary society as one of the star players in the wellbeing game. And I have drank the cool aid! Obviously I believe deeply in this in someway, I have shaped my entire life around the principles Yoga has taught me…

***Physical Well-being:

We know that regular Yoga practice can improve flexibility, strength, and balance. Yoga postures; when rooted in functional movement, strengthen and stabilize the body and promote joint mobility, reducing the risk of injuries and enhancing overall physical resilience. We are learning how Yoga improves cardiovascular health, reducedes blood pressure, and enhances respiratory function. These tangible health benefits make Yoga an invaluable ally in the pursuit of physical well-being. For me Yoga was the first physical practice that began to rebuild the mis trust a life long autoimmune disorder had created. I mean let’s face it, if you know me personally you know I’m not running ultra marathons. My aim is to trust this body deeply and be capable of hard things, like rearranging all my furniture every three months for no reason.

***Stress Reduction PULEEEEZE!:

In a world characterized by constant demands and information overload, stress has become a pervasive challenge and can be fatal to the organism (that’s you!). Practicing Yoga, when truly aimed at stabilizing the nervous system through somatic inquiry in a trauma informed way, can modulate the body's stress response, leading to reduced levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Additionally, when practiced this way Yoga enhances mental clarity, emotional stability, and decreases the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. The Yogic teachings on meditation are such a powerful tool for stress reductions and they begins with cultivating focus and concentration through practice, taking back control of your attention.

***Mind-Body Connection:

Scientific research supports the idea that the integration of breath control (pranayama) and physical postures enhances the mind-body connection, promoting a state of present moment attention. This kind of attention can positively influence neural pathways associated with self-awareness and emotional regulation. This mind-body integration fosters a greater sense of self, improved focus, and heightened cognitive abilities, all of which are highly relevant in the multitasking and fast-paced nature of modern life as well as for that pesky little hobby some of us engage in…the undying pursuit of truth.

***Philosophical and Spiritual Dimensions:

“Oh no! Don’t go there Kate Bee! All that other stuff is important enough, we don’t need to discuss philosophy or the spirit of things!” But this is where the juice is…I might have wrapped my entire life around a Yoga that made me physically strong and reduced stress and eased emotional regulation, I can’t really say. What I can confirm is that the teachings of Yoga that got me good are about a revolution; about changing the way I see my self, what I am responsible for, what I desire, what I think I deserve… WHO IT IS THAT I ACTUALLY THINK I AM. These teachings, Yama and Niyama, emphasize principles such as sensitivity, honesty, generosity, discipline, and contentment. And Yoga isn’t interested in teaching you how to tell other people how to be these things, it compels you to get busy seeing in yourself where you fall short and then practicing being better until you are better.

The integration of these principles into one's life, in to an organism that is physically strong, able to digest stress in a healthy way and regulate emotion can contribute to a greater sense of purpose, inner peace, and fulfillment in the organism (that’s you remember)…

THIS IS A REVOLUTIONARY ACT

Show me a person full of purpose, inner peace and a sense of fulfillment that also hates themselves so much that they hate their neighbor….