Yoga for the New Year

Happy New Year! As we ring in 2024, many of us are reflecting on the prior year and thinking about resolutions and goals for ourselves in the new year. I’d like you to know that you are enough just the way you are.

Goals for the new year are good to have – they help us to learn and grow and keep life interesting. It’s the journey toward achieving our goals that is most impactful. This is where we experience the ups and downs and really learn.

Whether your goal for the new year is to stress less, feel healthier, move easier or have more energy – yoga is an excellent way to help you achieve your goal.

Why is yoga so powerful?

Yoga is a practice of mindful movement designed to calm the mind and body. Our daily lives are full of distractions from our phones, work, family and friends which can send our bodies into ‘fight and flight’ mode without us even realizing it. The slow, soothing effect of yoga is meant to help you get yourself out of ‘fight and flight’ mode and into a more relaxed state for both your mind and your body. Here are some of the big benefits of yoga:

Stress Relief

Yoga creates a quiet, soothing atmosphere designed to calm the mind and body. Most yoga practices include some deep breathing, gentle stretching, and a rest at the end of the practice to aid in stress reduction. Focusing your attention on movements and breathing during a yoga practice gives your mind a break and helps to lower stress hormones in the body.

Resets Nervous System

The relaxing nature of yoga and the focus on breathing helps to shift you out of your sympathetic nervous system (‘fight or flight’) and into your parasympathetic nervous system (‘rest and digest’). When the body can shift to a ‘rest and digest’ mode, it can redirect energy to basic, but important, body functions like digestion, immune function, blood circulation and ability to sleep better.

Increases Strength

While poses in yoga are low impact, they are not all easy. Many poses are designed to build strength by using body weight and longer isometric holding positions. Strong muscles help the body stay in correct alignment, prevent injuries, and improve balance.

Improves Flexibility

Stretching poses in yoga will help improve flexibility. Flexibility helps to improve mobility and being able to move without pain. Stretching and keeping the body limber encourages proper anatomical alignment to prevent aches and pains. It also helps to maintain or improve range of motion by keeping joints flexible.

How to start a yoga practice in 2024:

Starting a yoga practice is as simple as 1-2-3:

1. Grab a yoga mat.

2. Put on some comfortable clothes.

3. Choose a class.

For classes, check out free online options like Yoga with Adriene on YouTube, try an in-person yoga class at a local studio or gym or book a private class to learn the basics with a personalized experience.

I’d love to help you start your yoga journey. Check out my website to book a free consultation and learn how yoga could help you in 2024!