Yoga, finding the healing breath within us

This past year I became an avid yogi. I practiced Hot Yoga (Bikram) religiously, doing ninety minute sessions almost every day of the week. Yoga taught me to control my breathing in stressful situations, which also aided me to quit smoking tobacco for over one week; which is a milestone for me. Applying the ways I felt during my rigorous yet relaxing practice allowed me to find union within my body, as Boote had mentioned the meaning of yoga is simply “to yoke”. There are many Yama’s in the practice of yoga that I was unaware of and I’m glad Fletcher Boote was there to shed light upon these Yama’s.

            In the Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine, (page 115) Yoga is described as “an excellent way to counteract stress and anxiety and to relieve the hunched posture that can come from sitting for hours in front of a computer.” I agree one hundred percent with this statement, I think that we are so caught up with the social “norm” to work constantly and have daily routines that we forget to take time to do things that are worthwhile for our souls. Everyone could use a little healing and “union” within themselves, otherwise we may be walking around as zombies and not stopping to “smell the roses”. Research, as according to the Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine (page 115), shows that yoga can be very beneficial for “anxiety, asthma, back pain, depression, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis”, and other symptoms harmful to our bodies. Yoga has allowed me to pay attention to my surroundings more often and makes me feel more uplifted on an everyday basis; yoga makes good things great.

            In talking with Fletcher Boote, a Yogi herself, discussed the five Yama’s (vows) that are practiced and I believe everyone should practice them every day- maybe the world would be a more peaceful place. Ahisma-non-violence, Satya- telling the truth, Asteya- being happy with what you have and not stealing or taking what you do not need, Bramacharya- to walk with God, and lastly Aparigrapha- not grasping/wanting what you don’t have. Once she talked about these Yama’s, I started thinking how life would be more appealing sometimes if we all thought in this manner. The world would be far less greedy, people would be treated with respect, and there may even be a less stressful environment in certain work places or ‘rough’ areas. After this discussion I realized I need to get back into doing yoga more ritually as I used to. It’s great that free yoga sessions are provided at JSC! We should all find the breath and power within us, in any form whether it be yoga or meditation or anything that floats your boat.