My story of becoming a yogi

Mar 30, 2017, 12:00 AM

I can’t quite remember the reason I started practicing yoga. It might have been to improve my flexibility, or to keep in shape in college after I was no longer on swim team. Since I’ve started practicing, however, I’ve fully realized that the physical, bodily effects yoga can produce — such as flexibility and toning — are not the only benefits of yoga. Yoga opens a door to a wide range of wonderful benefits for the body and mind. Yoga can range from being a strength-building, sweaty workout to being a relaxing session comprised of closed-eyes, stretching, and breathing. Whether you want to do yoga that will increase your heart rate, improve your flexibility, or get you in a zen zone, there is always a type of yoga perfect for you. However, the benefits you reap from yoga are largely determined by which type of yoga you decide to do, and how much energy you are willing to put into your practice. I’ve only ever practiced two types of yoga, but each type has supported me in different ways. I started out by taking vinyasa yoga classes . These classes are great if you’re trying to get in the habit of moving while meditating. Closing your eyes is encouraged in this practice, so you can really fully enter your own practice and imagine not being in a room full of other people. Vinyasa is also marked by quickly “flowing” from one position to the next. Each flow may be slightly different from class to class, as directed by your yoga instructor, but throughout the class the flows are usually repetitive. And every flow starts and ends with the classic upside-down position of downward-facing dog. Hatha is another type of yoga I’ve more recently tried. While vinyasa is all about sleek movements, the hatha style is more about strength and stillness. The poses, which are more based on a vertical body position rather than a horizontal one, are held for much longer than in vinyasa. One is expected to keep his or her eyes open during a hatha class, and breathing exercises are practiced in such a way that they help build core muscles. This makes the hatha practice a bit more challenging, and a bit more workout-intensive. I’ve found that while I enjoy hatha when I’m craving a good workout, I tend to favor vinyasa more in general. Vinyasa is still a good workout for me, but it also does more than just that. When I close my eyes, breathe, and let myself fall into the pattern of my flow, I am able to immerse myself in my practice in a way I can’t do with hatha. I’ve also found vinyasa practice to be imperative in managing my irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) . On some of my worst days, the days when I feel like I can’t get out of bed, going to a hot vinyasa class will sweat out my toxins, ease my cramping, and soothe my mind. While it’s not a cure-all for my IBS, it definitely is one of my go-to holistic remedies. I always feel more limber, relaxed, and more positive about my life as I walk out from a yoga class. I never would have thought that doing yoga could benefit me in so many ways, but it truly has. I now find myself craving a vinyasa class in the middle of the school day, or going out of my way to get up an hour later or postpone plans with friends to go to yoga. I’m infinitely grateful that yoga has become a lifestyle for me. Reach Opinion Editor Rebecca Gross at wellness@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @becsgross

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