When I lived in LA I did Tae Bo, ran the Santa Monica steps, roller bladed, and started doing yoga. I will be honest, I only started doing yoga because it was the " in thing" to do. However, I quickly saw the mental benefits.
I moved back to Cleveland and there were not many yoga studios around me.
I started practicing yoga DVDs and on YouTube. I found a studio in a city about 20 minutes away and went to their Saturday morning class. I couldn't make any evening classes because of the drive time there and back, work, and having a baby but then one day a studio right by me opened. I started going to their fitness classes (AHHHH my love for HIIT was born!!!!) and all levels vinyasa, then took my first hot power class and yoga sculpt class and was hooked. I went ALL. THE. TIME. I was probably at my calmest I had been in a very long time.
When this studio offered yoga teacher training I jumped at the chance.
Over the past few years, I’ve taken breaks from yoga here and there. Life gets busy and I couldn't make the time to go to the studio classes. I was also teaching 5 times a week plus my normal full time job. Most recently when Covid first hit and lockdowns came into place I started teaching online, I started a YouTube channel, and doing lives on Instagram and Facebook. This completely wiped me out. I was trying to do so much for my students and be there for them I got burned out. I had to take a break and step back. Recently I have been dealing with vertigo and balance issues and yoga has become hard for me because of these issues. But I keep trying because even 10 minutes relaxes my mind and puts be in a better mood. It helps with stretching my body too and with my back and neck issues.
National Yoga Month
In 2008, the Department of Health and Wellness officially designated September as National Yoga Month. This annual observance is a great opportunity to raise awareness and educate Americans about the health benefits associated with yoga.
As Harvard Health Publishing points out, there are many different types of yoga. While challenging yourself by pushing the boundaries of your body’s strength and flexibility (while also controlling your breath) will feel amazing at the time, the rewards extend well beyond the mat. Citing research, Harvard stated that regular yoga practice is associated with:
Better body image
Mindful eating
Boosts in weight loss and maintenance
Enhanced fitness
Cardiovascular benefits
Mental and emotional benefts
Reduced anxiety and depression
Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility
Yoga helps with back pain relief
Yoga can ease arthritis symptoms
Yoga benefits heart health
Yoga relaxes you, to help you sleep better
Yoga can mean more energy and brighter moods
Yoga helps you manage stress
In these busy times, many of us are not getting enough rest, and studies have shown that yoga can also help you get a good night’s sleep.
Where to start:
Find a local studio. Keep trying different styles and teachers. Just like with anything else teachers have different styles of teaching. Some you will click with and some you won't.
Check out Instagram for yoga instructors and YouTube for free classes.
My favorite to follow on Instagram are:
Me ( nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness)
Ashley Turner
Sadie Nardini
Eddie Stern
Kristen McGee
Yoga Girl
Beach Yoga Girl
YouTube:
Journey Junkie
Sarabeth Yoga
Yoga with Adrienne
Some of the older Tone It Up Yoga flows from Karena and Katrina can be found on YouTube.
Yoga Apps I like:
Alo
Peleton
Melissa Wood Health
Tone It UP