Yoga and me

I spent three hours yesterday afternoon at a fantastic yoga workshop focusing on the spine. Before I left home, I was in a bit of a crappy mood and wasn’t sure going out was the right plan (movies, chocolate, the dog and the sofa were all calling). But I went and it was a wonderfully challenging and relaxing three hours - just what I needed as it turned out.

When I first started practising yoga about five years ago, I was amazed at how I was able to completely switch off when I was on my mat. Working through different postures and focusing on my breath allowed me to disengage my thoughts in a way I’d never managed before.

I’ve practised various kinds of yoga since I first started and without exception they’ve all helped me focus my thoughts and stop worrying about day-to-day life.

Yoga and focus

Currently I attend power vinyasa flow classes and I love them. They are some of the most challenging and advanced yoga classes I’ve ever been to and they are fantastic when it comes to my focus.

During a class, I’m concentrating so much on my posture, the muscles I need to be engaging, my breathing and often my balance that I don’t have time to think about anything else. I think it’s really good for me to completely disconnect from the other aspects of my life - and I have yet to find many other ways to really switch off (scuba diving is another one that works, but more about that another day).

But this enhanced focus when it comes to my yoga practice can transfer into my work. I often feel energised after a class, or indeed my own practice, and that gives me renewed energy and focus for my work.

When I was still working in an office, a friend and I started doing yoga on our lunch breaks once or twice a week. On those days, my afternoons were often much more productive because I’d taken the time to disconnect mentally and move physically.

Yoga play at the seaside is fun too

Yoga and relaxation

As well as stretching me mentally and physically, I also find yoga incredibly relaxing. While relaxation won’t be on my mind in the middle of a challenging flow, or while I’m trying to hold my body in some seemingly impossible position, the sense of calm I feel at the end of a class is incredible.

When I let my whole body relax after working so hard - and similarly allow my mind to relax after focusing so much - a great sense of calm and relaxation comes over me.

Although it’s hard to replicate that during a working day, I’ve found that certain breathing techniques I’ve learned through yoga can help me calm down when I’m getting stressed. And with a little bit of time, they can also help me focus my mind and come back to the task in hand, rather than letting my mind wander.

Yoga is all about presence in the moment, finding balance and letting go of the trivialities that hold us back.

For me, it’s an important tool to help me focus on what’s important in life, not just work. It also gives me an outlet for my body, which as a writer can be neglected. I’m guilty of sitting in a bad posture and not moving enough during the day, which is why I find making time for my yoga practice at home so important.

Namaste.