It Starts with a Square

Namaste Collierville

BY Regan Hewitt

Did you know that practicing yoga just 5 or 10 minutes a day can have huge benefits for people of all ages? Applying a yoga mindset to your daily life can bring extraordinary benefits to the entire family, and while this sounds great, the thought of adding one more thing into an already busy day does not seem very relaxing. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice with a 5,000-year history in ancient Indian philosophy and truth be told, it is a way of life.

Try incorporating a regular yoga practice into your daily routine and find out for yourself the many benefits yoga will bring to your life!

  • Physical postures – The human body is made to move! The average American spends half their day (12 hours) sitting. A few simple poses a day, such as cat and cow, spinal twists, triangle pose, and child’s pose can result in improved flexibility and range of motion, strength, and balance!
  • Breathing techniques – As a yoga instructor, I constantly remind and encourage my students to focus and return to the breath. Focusing on the breath not only guides your asana practice on the mat, but easily transfers into everyday life. Taking just a few minutes out of your day to close your eyes and notice your breath can help calm your mind and allow you to refocus on what is most important. 
  • Mind-Body Awareness – By combining purposeful movement with focus on the breath, yoga creates a relationship between your thoughts and emotions (mind) and your physical being (body). Research has shown that yoga and mindfulness can improve focus, memory, self-esteem, academic performance, and classroom behavior, and can even reduce stress and anxiety in children. Make a point to carve out time for yoga practice so it becomes routine.
  • Gratitude Practice – Studies show that giving thanks for something you are grateful for regularly results in more positive emotions, stronger enthusiasm, better sleep, and can even build stronger immune systems! Children practicing gratitude have been shown to be more content with their overall life. Keep a ‘Gratitude Jar’ to drop in a message of thanks. Another great idea is to take a gratitude walk (unplug, leave the electronics at home), giving yourself time to reflect on the day!

Yoga can be done anywhere! If you already have a practice, keep practicing, and if you are new to yoga, take the first step towards a happier, healthier life today!

By:  Sheila Thomas, Owner Collierville Yoga

Collierville Yoga is a gathering place for discovering ones-self, empowering one another, sharing the love of practice, love of breath, love of movement, love of health, and love of our community.

September/October 2021 Tour Collierville Magazine