What's the point of yoga?
This is a question I get asked time and again. Often followed up with comments like, "I really don't get that weird spiritual stuff," or "I found it boring, I couldn't keep my mind from wondering." The thing about yoga is that each class or experience is as unique as the yoga teacher or the student. If you think yoga is boring or for 'sissies', then you obviously haven't tried an Ashtanga or Jivamukti class - definitely not recommended for those who think yoga consists of lying down. There are so many styles of yoga and each of these styles in turn will be affected by whether the teacher gives a 'fitness' class or a spiritual class. These days there are even sports orientated teachers/trainers who focus on yoga that will optimise an athlete's performance. It is about your own personal taste, goals and experiences.
On the spiritual front, there is so much talk in the media and literature these days about 'living in the moment' and learning to be present. Yoga is arguably one of the best ways to begin this process. Just learning to breath, still the mind, unplug yourself from the technology web we are all caught up in these days and release your body from our heightened adrenaline state; this is something that we can all benefit from.
If even that is a bridge too far for you, then focus only on the physical benefits. Yoga works on several key aspects of the body. The most obvious is flexibility - keeping the entire body moving and working. Core strength is vital for fitness, good health and optimal physical functioning. And as I've mentioned, some styles of yoga are a vigorous workout. If you follow this blog regularly you will get to see the more specific benefits of certain poses, hopefully convincing any skeptics to find a mat and start practising.
