Many people often express that they want to try yoga, but they're too busy, don't want to look silly in a class, or don't want to spend money on an expensive studio. If you've found yourself stuck at home for the long haul, there are many reasons why this is the perfect time for you to try it on your own, whether it's to get fit, cross-train for another sport, increase focus, or alleviate stress.
You can do it for free from home.
If you search for "yoga," thousands of free videos come up. While there are apps that you can pay for, almost any imaginable type of yoga is offered for free online. You can search for workouts that target specific parts of the body, like "yoga for strong legs," or "yoga for abs". It also requires very little equipment. Do you have a floor? Great! You can do yoga. Having a mat can help, but if you have carpet or even a big beach towel, nothing is off limits. Some prefer their wood floors. In more advanced videos, instructors may suggest using a block or strap. In these cases, there are many household items that work just as well, such as a shirt, belt, or thick books. Ultimately, there is no start-up cost for trying yoga at home. The only thing you need is your own curiosity and desire.
You can do it privately.
It can be intimidating to imagine struggling in a yoga studio for the first time and being surrounded by others who can easily pop into advanced poses with seemingly no effort. While many find it inspiring and encouraging to exercise with those further along the path, it can be harrowing to feel exposed in a vulnerable state without trying a few times at home first. Beginning at home allows you to sweat, tumble, stretch, and get as red in the face as you want, without worrying about other people witnessing it. These unflattering, novice moments are productive, valuable parts of your yoga experience, and they are nothing to be ashamed of. However, for some it might be more comfortable to try them out in privacy first. If you start now you can begin your studio experience with the confidence that comes with being self-aware about your ability level, and knowing that you've put some serious work into your practice.
Yoga is amazing for coping with stress.
Life is at an unprecedented level of insanity. Job security, public safety, and anything we've ever taken for granted as part of a stable world are completely upside-down. Findings in an article published in Medical News Today state that yoga has helped people reduce their stress levels, and motivated them to reduce alcohol use and smoking. Those who practice yoga regularly have lowered cortisol (stress) levels, but higher levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which alleviates anxiety and improves moods. Aside from yoga's proven, positive impact on lowering stress hormones and elevating "happy chemicals" such as GABA and endorphins, it helps center people in their bodies, as it contains both elements of exercise and meditation.
Yoga will keep you incredibly fit while you're stuck at home.
Whether you've been an athlete your whole life or never tried a single sport, yoga will surprise you. If you're upset because an athletic event you were training for is now cancelled, yoga is excellent cross-training, as it incorporates strength training in ranges of motion that are rarely accessed in other activities, as well as flexibility and balance. Yoga promotes various types of strength, especially compression strength. For athletes, yoga may become your secret weapon for increased strength and resilience against injury. However, this doesn't mean that non-athletes won't find it accessible. Yoga works with you. Regardless of your ability, as long as you genuinely try hard and do your best, you will improve. Even very advanced yoga practitioners often find that they get an amazing workout from beginner classes if they truly focus on using the correct muscles and having proper alignment in each movement and pose. For beginners, even if it's not possible to follow along completely with the instructor, you will still gain tremendous benefit from doing what you can, and you'll be amazed at how quickly your effort translates to improvement.
Yoga fosters increased focus.
For those who have found themselves transitioning to working at home, finding your focus can be nearly impossible. CBS News has reported that subjects performed better on tests indicating focus after only a single session of yoga than they did after performing the same tests following aerobic exercise sessions for the same amount of time. Yoga forces you to clear your mind and focus on one thing at a time. In challenging balance poses, stretches that take you to your limit, and strength drills, you have no choice but to stay attuned to your immediate goal, second by second, until you are done. This improves your capacity for concentration and the ability to accomplish other things in your work and home life.
There has never been a better opportunity than now to start yoga. It is free, you can do it with only a small floor space, and its benefits for both physical and mental health have been proven time and time again. Yoga's benefits are diverse, and its applications are inclusive. As cross-training for other sports, yoga increases resilience, strength, and flexibility, making athletes less vulnerable to injury. For those new to exercise, yoga is a safe yet challenging place to start with endless potential for growth. For those needing to ease anxiety or gain focus, yoga is a healthy and effective option. What are you waiting for?