4 Ways Yoga Changed My Life
Written by: Emily Bach, MSN, CNP, CHWC
12/20/2024
I once scoffed at the idea of doing yoga. It seemed like a waste of my workout time. “It doesn’t burn enough calories," I said. “My heart rate won’t get high enough," shaking my head side to side.
I have loved exercise, fitness, nutrition, and self-improvement for as long as I can remember. There was a long period of time when I had a poor relationship with exercise and food. I wanted to lose weight, so I followed the advice I believed was correct: I restricted certain foods and exercised extensively, even if it meant engaging in activities I disliked, such as running. I forced myself to run for miles. I thought it burned the most calories. But, it made me feel nauseous and filled with dread. It turns out that exercising in ways that you don’t enjoy while trying to restrict food groups ends up in body burnout and binge eating. I gained more weight and put more stress on my body.
Then, on vacation in 2014, I tried my first gentle yoga class. I couldn't believe how incredible I felt afterward. I was stretched out, opened up, wrung out, and relaxed. I felt like my body had begged me to do this for years. I finally gave it what it needed and wanted. After returning home, I joined a yoga studio and I’ve never looked back.
The benefits of yoga go far beyond the physical aspect. After I did yoga consistently, I noticed a lot of changes. My mindset, mood, sleep, and body awareness all improved, to name a few. Let me explain:
Mindset: As I said before, I had a "go hard or go home" attitude toward exercise. If I didn't max out my heart rate, the workout wasn't "worth it." I did this because I thought it would burn the most calories so I could lose more weight. I just… didn't get it. I was following the “calories in, calories out” strategy to lose weight without considering any other factors.
Once I got into yoga, I started to realize how important it is to honor my body in so many different ways. The instructor's guidance gave me a template to follow. But it urged me to go at my own pace and follow my breath. Say what!? I had never heard this before! It felt like I had finally received permission to slow down. Each class, I heard more from the teacher because my mind and body allowed me to. My body and mind started to wake up. I really started to love yoga, and began to eat differently so I could feel good for class. I started to eat less because I knew yoga class was uncomfortable after a big meal. As I instinctively reduced my overall food intake, I lost weight. I realized that weight loss isn’t only about calories in and calories out. The way I view food, exercise, and quality of life has never been the same… in a good way!
Mood: Remember when I said pure dread came over me when I was forcing myself to run all the time? Turns out, dread doesn’t support a positive mood in any way, shape, or form. I was doing exercise I truly didn’t enjoy. Once I started doing yoga, I wasn’t so bitter about the world. I felt excited to set my alarm to make it to my favorite instructor’s class. I anticipated the “high” feeling I knew I would have after class. The best part? I started to be happier in other areas of my life because I felt so much better. Yoga boosts serotonin and dopamine, your body's feel-good hormones. This is a significant piece of the puzzle when it comes to your well-being. If you need a mood boost, try something new, like yoga. Step out of your comfort zone. You never know—it could turn out to be your favorite form of exercise!
Sleep: What if I said adequate sleep is vital for well-being? It affects longevity, weight loss, and cognitive function. It also impacts short- and long-term health. Yes, it’s true! Like most Americans, you may underestimate sleep's importance. You may feel unproductive while sleeping. The truth is, your body and brain are working hard while you sleep. They are recharging you for tomorrow and for years to come. While we sleep, the body repairs cells and restores energy. It releases hormones for growth and development. It also helps produce antibodies and immune cells to fight infections. My favorite feature of adequate sleep is that it regulates hunger hormones. Poor sleep can leave you hungry or craving certain foods.
A study involving 65 men and women examined the effects of long-term yoga (5+ years) on sleep. Participants in yoga experienced fewer sleeping disturbances, shorter sleep latency (it took less time to fall asleep at night), and a reduced reliance on sleep medications. I can say from experience that on the days I do yoga, my ability and desire to sink into bed and enjoy a long slumber are much greater. My body and mind are more relaxed and ready to take on the world.
Body awareness: Before yoga, I didn't know when I was hungry or full. I couldn't connect my movement with my breath. I didn't realize that well-being included detecting subtle changes in my body. I should have noticed my aches and pains. I should not have accepted that constant fatigue is normal. After a year of consistent yoga, I understood my body so much better and was able to listen to it. The instructors often spoke of the mind-body connection which helped me both in and out of the yoga room. A skilled yoga teacher will show you how to adjust your body in ways you never thought possible!
The impact yoga has had on my life is irreplaceable. It allowed me to find my true self. Practicing yoga allows your body and mind to wake up and open up. It’s a great way to learn self- awareness, which is one of the very first steps to change and living an intentional life. I hope you love it as much as I do!
Talk soon,
Emily
