n o u r i s h

Yoga for Stress Relief

07 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Christine Scarcello in Exercise, Travel, Yoga Tags: Barbara Benagh, Dalai Lama, Natasha Rizopolous, Patricia Walden, Rodney Yee, Shakti, Shiva Rae, Vinyasa Flow Yoga

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/business/06YOGA.html?ref=nutrition

I just read this article today on the NY Times online, and have to say, I almost transitioned from my computer chair into some sun salutations. This man doing yoga at the airport is so inspiring; though he travels 150 days out of the year, he finds time to practice every single day, no matter where he is. Yoga is one of the most beneficial activities I’ve ever come across in my life. When I used to practice yoga daily I was calm, stress-free, and generally very happy with my life.

As my life got busier and busier with school, work, volunteering, and social commitments, yoga began to slip away. I truly regret slacking off and missing out on the benefits of yoga. Every week I tell myself that I should stop in the studio and take just one class… but something always comes up. I’m trying to lose weight (~10 lbs), and when time is limited, you can find me on the stairmaster, in the weight room, or running outside… but not in the yoga studio.

It’s not that yoga isn’t good for you – it totally is – but for me, I need to burn mucho calories in the short amount I have to dedicate to working out. I am excited to gradaute in about a week because then all the stress of school and this never-ending research project will be over.  So in the meantime, I’ve been doing yoga at home with the bevy of yoga DVDs I have in my collection. My favorites are Yoga Shakti with Shiva Rae, Core Cross-Training with Rodney Yee, Bending and Twisting with Natasha Rizopolous, and Yoga for Stress Relief (with the Dalai Lama!) by Barbara Benagh.

So, I’m hoping my own lack of determination to get back to the yoga studio doesn’t keep any of you away… practicing yoga with a community of other yogis and a teacher is, in my opinion, the best way to experience yoga and to improve. Having a teacher to guide you and position you is the best way to learn proper form. But if you lack time and want to do yoga at home, check out any of the above videos. My recommendation for beginners would be Yoga Journal’s AM/PM Yoga with Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden. Anyone who is interested in Flow Yoga (also known as Vinyasa Flow) should check out ANYTHING by Shiva Rae… she is truly inspiring. Yoga Shakti is an older DVD; her newest is called Daily Energy – Vinyasa Flow… I haven’t checked it out yet but I absolutely love Shiva Rae.

Yoga is a unique gift that you can give yourself… you get out of it what you put into it, and with daily practice you’ll develop strength, flexibility, and a clearer mind, body, and spirit. Just as this man has demonstrated in the NY Times article, you can take yoga with you anywhere, anytime!

Wishing you the best,

Namaste