I finished more than ten practices of Yoga at Pranalaya Yoga & Wellness Baguio. As a beginner in yoga practice at a studio, I can honestly say that it has been a transformative journey for me. From doing yoga on my own at home to doing it at a studio, I learned that Yoga is more than just an exercise. Read along about the lessons that yoga has taught me so far.
- It’s a test of discipline.
When you know you have work on the next day but you just feel like not going? I felt that many times before I went to a yoga class. It was actually a challenge for me to “squeeze in” the practice because of my flexible schedule of my job as a marketing consultant, however, I’ve been told by my husband, Joel; “Give yourself just for an hour for yourself.” It hit me hard and to do that I need to cultivate discipline to really get up and put on my yoga pants and head out the door. I do a countdown to myself, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1..” (getting up).
- The power of community and the studio
Sometimes I find it difficult to keep up with yoga at home. There can be inevitable distractions. Having a space for the practice is important. I realized how helpful it is that there is a studio to go to wherein I can really focus on my yoga practice. The studio as well as the community are welcoming. The teachers are attentive as well, they always share levels of difficulty in some poses so beginners like me can adjust. The mirror is a good guide to check your alignment in your poses.
- Finding ease within the discomfort
Often, we encounter discomfort in our yoga practice, whether it’s a challenging pose or a restless mind. When I embrace the discomfort, I unlock deeper levels of strength and flexibility. The constant reminder of the yoga teachers train me to be aware of my posture. By pushing our limits and finding ease within the discomfort, I learn to cultivate resilience, patience, and acceptance. With Yoga, I keep in mind that when trying some poses; “Today might not be the day, but tomorrow is a new chance to find ease in the discomfort.”
- Enhanced sleep quality
Just to be clear, I don’t have insomnia, but I sometimes have difficulty sleeping at night, especially when I’m worried. I’ve noticed that practicing yoga, particularly in the afternoon or evening, has helped me sleep better and earlier. It’s well-known that exercise can improve sleep quality, and I’m glad I found a form of exercise that works for me. Yoga also offers a meditative approach, training my mind to relax and recharge before bed.
- Importance of Breath
Pranayama, or breath control, has been a revelation. It has taught me the profound connection between breath and body, emphasizing the power of conscious breathing to calm the mind and energize the body. Sometimes, I forget how proper breathwork makes a big difference, not only during yoga practice but in daily life. Feeling anxious? Breathe. Feeling tired? Breathe.
- Improved Flexibility and Posture
I’m still working on improving my posture and flexibility, but yoga has been a wonderful tool in my journey. The regular practice has already made a noticeable difference in alleviating my back pain and improving my overall body alignment. I’m confident that with continued practice, I’ll continue to see progress.
#PranaTribe
To close this blog, I am just really grateful for the #PranaTribe, the community of Pranalaya. They’ve been very welcoming, kind and supportive in my yoga journey. It has been a great kickstart for me. Aside from yoga, I’ve had 2 practices of Pilates already with their Reformers. I have yet to write more about it soon if I’m done with more than 5 practices of it. 🙂 I will update you all soon!
If you like to sign up on their yoga and Pilates classes, feel free to go to their page for more details: Pranalaya Yoga and Wellness Baguio If you sign up for class passes, you get to use Shower Room for FREE as well as lockers. I also like that they provide water as long as you have your own water bottle.
