Yoga Demystified

Written By: Ashby Underwood - Yoga Highlands | Issue: 2017/03 - March

Positive daily habits improve well-being.  Yoga practitioners gather consistently across the country to learn positive practices that support well-being from the inside out.  From those 70-plus years in age who can stand on their heads, to children who are learning to be still and focus their minds, yoga’s influence is deep, healthful, and strengthens generations.

Is yoga for everyone?  Yes.  If you can breathe, you can practice yoga.  Basic rhythmic, deep breathing is very relaxing and can be an effective tool for handling stress.  Deeper breathing means more oxygen, a more alkaline chemistry, and an approach to life with less tension and more perspective.  Awareness can bring choice, opportunity and balance to all
areas of living.

Is yoga only for flexible people?  Yoga empowers all bodies.  From day one, yoga can open tight areas and reduce the need for intervention from outside therapies.  Yoga practice creates healthy posture.  With a full range of movements for the spine, joints, muscles, and bones, yoga is a personal education that continues to grow with each practice as you learn more about your body and what works for you.

Is yoga a science or religion?  Yoga is a respected science.  Western behavioral, chemical and orthopedic physicians acknowledge the benefits.  Yoga practice increases circulation, improves lymphatic flow, eases joint and back pain, enhances digestion and elimination of toxins.

When a new or experienced practitioner realizes the good of yoga, a healing occurs, moods uplift and creativity elevates along with the human spirit.  Lightness, freedom, and a renewed sense of purpose are hallmarks of a well-intentioned yoga practice.

Who teaches yoga?  In essence, a person teaches themselves.  Each yoga lesson can cue better listening to your body’s signals and help release layers of unconscious tension. Gentle guidance, encouragement and ethics help create a safe space for practice.  Just with as any craft, the practice and the joy from that practice keeps a student primed to learn more.  

A yoga practice that is teacher-centric is limited as the learning and enthusiasm should be going to the student. Unfortunately, yoga today is full of teachers who love to be loved. Student-centric yoga offerings are here.  For local, qualified yoga instruction visit, CashiersValleyFusion.com and YogaHighlands.com.

Ashby Underwood has been teaching yoga for 17 years and is the co-owner of Yoga Highlands and a Practitioner of Rolf Method Structural Integration. In her Yoga Therapy practice she helps people develop a connection to yoga for a high quality life.  She hosts wellness retreats (locally and abroad) with Mary Abranyi/ Cashiers Valley Fusion.  With Yoga Therapists and a staff of seasoned teachers at both studios, the opportunity to practice, learn, and discover your best self is right in your mountain town.