Oftentimes, when people think of yoga, they think of the tricky twisted poses that we see on social media. While yoga is great for improving strength and flexibility, there is much more to the practice than what meets the eye. Yoga is less about what you see or look like, and much more about what you feel and experience. The body is more complex than just muscles and bones, and yoga takes this into account when we focus on somatics, subtle sensations in the body. This increases our awareness and builds a connection between the mind and body.

Taking the time to slow down and be still in the midst of the busy world around us is rejuvenating and essential to our wellbeing. Meditation is a powerful practice that brings our focus inward and connects us to our higher consciousness. Guided meditation is one helpful way to begin this practice. This practice helps us let go of external distractions and exist entirely in the present moment. Once we are able to find a stillness among all that is happening internally, we can then apply this one-pointedness of the mind into our exterior lives.

Pranayama, or breath control, is another great way to connect to the physical body. Feeling your breath move through your body increases your bodily awareness to sensations that may be new or different. Controlling the length of our inhales and exhales can have calming effects on the nervous system. As our breathing slows, our bodies become more calm and still. Alternatively, rapid breathing creates energy in our bodies.

There are a variety of yoga practices that can alleviate imbalances like stress, depression and anxiety. Techniques such as meditation and pranayama are key factors in tending to our mental and emotional wellness. This practice also allows us to deepen our understanding of, and connection with, our spiritual wellness. Yoga is the practice of connecting the mind, body and soul.