Does Yoga Change Your Life?
Over the years I’ve heard a lot of people saying that yoga changed their lives, to the point where it seems to become a cliche. I find for myself, however, that yoga has been instrumental in helping me achieve a greater peace of mind and contentment. I believe it’s a combination of two things, the regular exercise (which has been scientifically shown to be a mood enhancer, yoga or no), and the meditation.
For me, hatha yoga is not enough. Doing hatha yoga does provide stress relief and stirs up those good hormones that help with mood, but that in and of itself is not transformative. The kundalini yoga – particularly the mantras and chanting – seems to be the extra kick in the pants for me. To say that some of these mantras are magical sounds a bit over the top, but they really do seem to create massive shifts.
I can’t say I have reached enlightment yet – I still have my negative moments for sure. I still also react, but not as badly as I used to. (It used to be really really bad!)
So has yoga changed your life? If so, how? Do share!
Since I started doing yoga I’ve lost almost 30 lbs., have gained innumerable amounts of self-esteem and made some incredible friends. To say it has changed my life is an understatement.
Guity as charged
Yoga transformed my life in subtle ways… I certainly have not reached enlightenment or even been able to kick all my bad habits, but I have found my path, and the happiness that comes from knowing my journey is set in right thoughts and actions. Yoga helped pull me out of a negative lifestyle and create happiness around me in forms of new friends, love and reconnecting with the things that made me happy as a child. I love to share this joy through yoga as much as possible!
I can say quite confidently that yoga has changed my life. Subtle things here and there. I credit daily practice for changing my unhealthy diet cravings from loud boastful ruler of my daily life to a rare insignificant whimpering. I am also more clear headed and less emotionally reactive. Reactions seem to be weighed out before unfolding in word or deed.
Thank you for your blog.
Sat Nam ~