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What does it mean to be a yogi? Who is a yogi? When you start to think about what type of person a yogi is, what image pops into your head? What does a yogi look like? What does a yogi do?

Maybe you think of a skinny white lady standing on her head with her legs twisted, wrapped, and bent up. Maybe she has mala beads around her neck. Maybe after class, she hits the local juice bar or grabs a cup of ethically sourced, shade-grown coffee.

Or maybe you’re picturing a person with long dreadlocks, smelling of incense and essential oils. Maybe walking around outside barefoot. Maybe chanting, “shanti, shanti, shanti” and bellowing a loud, voluminous “OHM.”

These images are popping into our heads based on stereotypes. These stereotypes exist for a reason, and you will likely encounter one of these white ladies or dread friends in any given yoga moment. However, there are a lot of misconceptions around who yogis are. Here are five common misconceptions about yogis.

1. Yogis are Religious.

It’s a common misconception that yoga is a religion. Although several religions practice yoga, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, yoga and religion are mutually exclusive. Yoga practice is not a religion, especially in the Western hemisphere. Going to a typical yoga class, you will not be asked to worship something, believe in a god, or say prayers.

Some yoga classes will incorporate chanting in Sanskrit or setting an intention for class. These practices may seem like a devotion, and in many ways they are similar, however they are not practiced as a part of a religion.

2. Yogis are Vegan.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras inform many yogis’ practices on and off the mat. From the sutras come several guiding principles and codes of ethics. One of them is “ahimsa” – the practice of nonviolence. When taken off the mat and considering “ahimsa” as it relates to diet, some yogis practice nonviolence towards animals by adopting a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.

For this reason, you may find many vegan or vegetarian yogis, but similar to the point above about religion, the two are mutually exclusive. While ahimsa is a guiding principle of many yoga practices, each practitioner can interpret it in their own way. Going to a yoga class will not force ideals upon anyone.

3. Yogis are Super Flexible.

One of the most common things I hear from friends who don’t want to try out a yoga class is “I’m not flexible enough.” While yoga practice will definitely work on flexibility, it’s not a requirement because flexibility is only one component of practicing yoga asanas. Asanas also develop balance and strength. Many yoga classes will specifically work on strength, such as a Power Yoga class or a Core Flow.

If you are worried about going to a yoga class because everyone will be super flexible, know that in any given yoga class, a pose that requires a lot of flexibility will have several preparatory poses or stages that lead up to that super flexible “peak” pose. You will also be given suggestions for modifications to make the posture accessible to your body.

4. Yogis Practice Yoga “Every Damn Day.”

Yoga culture and social media has built up an intense following of yogis who practice #yogaeverydamnday. Like anyone who loves or has a passion for something, sure, they will practice a lot. Yes, maybe every day.

But despite what you might see on social media, yogis aren’t perfect. Even those who make a commitment to practice everyday make mistakes or fall off track. Being a yogi does not mean being perfect. Anyone who shows up on their mat, any time, once or every day, is a yogi.

5. Yogis Wear Fancy Clothing.

On a similar note, social media and trendy athletic clothing companies have pressed images into our minds of a what a yogi should wear and look like—colorful, patterned, tight yoga pants, streamlined tops, fashionable to-and-fro outerwear. You’ll likely see lots of these types of people running around trendy boutique yoga studios. But yoga is not at all about what you wear.

So then…what makes one a yogi?

A yogi is ANYONE who practices yoga, regardless if you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner. A yogi is ANYONE who shows up on their mat to practice. From a five-minute Savasana to a 90-minute daily vinyasa.

Turn your eye to the yoga happening in the parks, in retirement homes, in under-served populations. Yoga happens all around us in many different ways. Yoga happens in people of every shape and color—no matter what is seen on the outside.

Image credit: Heather Gjerde

Consider this: After I die, what do I hope people will say and feel about me?

I suspect your answer may be similar to mine at first: “She/he was a great person and lived a meaningful life.” For me, that means that I was honest, kind, and humble through my mistakes.

Take a moment, perhaps closing your eyes and sitting tall, to consider what it means to you to be remembered as a great (yes, great, not good) person by the people that matter in your life. What words, values, and feelings arise?

Unfortunately, life doesn’t come with a handbook. Patanjali, an ancient Indian thinker, proposed the yamas and niyamas in “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.” These 10 ethical principles could be considered the yogi’s handbook to a life well lived.

A Brief Intro to the Yoga Sutras

Throughout the ages, throughout the world, humans have developed basic guidelines and rules that we pretty much all can agree upon—like not murdering each other and not taking what is not ours. The yamas and niyamas are the version of these guidelines developed in India in the framework of yoga.

Most people nowadays start of yoga by going to a class filled with poses. However, traditionally, if you were in India during the early days of yoga, you would seek a guru. They would refuse to teach you any yoga poses (asanas), breathing practices (pranayama) or meditation techniques until you have demonstrated that you live your life in accordance with the yamas and niyamas, which are (loosely translated):

Yamas

Ahimsa – Nonviolence (not harming)

Satya –  Truthfulness

Asteya –  Non-stealing

Brahmacharya – Moderation (conservation of energy)

Aparigraha –  Non-possessiveness

Niyamas

Saucha –  Cleanliness

Santosha – Contentment

Tapas – Passionate self-discipline

Svadhyaya – Self-study

Ishvara Pranidhana – Surrendering

Let’s explore each one individually and discuss how to apply them to life practically in the modern day.

The Yamas

1. Ahimsa: Non-violence (not harming)

Ahimsa is often interpreted as nonviolence towards all living things. Of course, this means that we don’t murder or physically harm other humans, and it also means that we try not to emotionally hurt others, avoiding activities like gossip.

Ahimsa can also be translated as compassion and kindness towards yourself and all others. Sometimes, it is easier to be kind to others than ourselves. Perhaps you have had a thought like this “I am so stupid for falling for that again” or “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Consider this: Would I say this to a loved one?! Is that being kind to myself? We can shift our minds by simply by catching those sort of thoughts as they happen and asking yourself, “is this true?”

We can also choose to not hurt ourselves by being mindful of what we eat and how we treat our bodies. Many yogis are also vegetarian, environmental advocates, and social equality advocates as a part of non-harming. In what ways do you personally choose to promote nonviolence?

The physical yoga practice is another great opportunity to practice not harming yourself. Have you ever forced your body into shapes that just didn’t feel right to you?  Do you take breaks when you need? I believe—despite whatever a teacher is telling you to do—that you are the world’s leading expert in your own body and must adapt or stop when something doesn’t feel right.

Yoga class is not monkey see, monkey do; a good yoga class is full of mindful options and choices.

Living in nonviolence is the foundation for the rest of these principles. It is the most important, and can be challenging in its subtleties. For example, it is harmful to judge ourselves and others when not measuring up to an ethical standard. Although a yogi opposes harmful acts and wrongdoing, a yogi tries not to waste energy judging or hating the wrongdoer.

Recently, while reading the news, I have caught myself thinking (and judging): ”I could never do that.” Then, I reminded myself that we are all imperfect humans and have the capacity to do anything, even the most horrific acts.

Maya Angelou explains this quote as a path to compassion: “The brute, the bigot, and the batterer are all children of God…and I’m supposed to treat them accordingly. It’s hard and I blow it all the time.”

Consider this: How can I be more humble and compassionate when I am tempted to judge myself and others?

2. Satya: Truthfulness

This is the practice of trying to be truthful (and congruent) in our speech, thoughts, and actions. Both being true to others and ourselves is vital in satya. This is simple to explain, but not easy to do.

Consider this: How can I be more truthful in my everyday life?

3. Asteya: Non-Stealing

Naturally, we know that we should not take things that are not ours. But, what else can you steal that is a bit less concrete? Time and energy.

One big way we steal is by being late, which can be considered stealing people’s time. Of course, we can’t always control this, but when it is a pattern in our life, we know we need to make changes. For example, if you are often late to yoga class, interrupting the class to come in, then you know that you can leave 10 minutes earlier next time.

Another way we can steal is by taking energy from others. This often shows up by talking way more than listening, or complaining more than giving thanks. Asteya can also be translated as avoiding a mindset of greediness and hoarding. I’m not saying we all need to be minimalists, but consumerism adds up when we’re buying clothes to only wear them once or twice.

Consider this: How can I cut down the amount of resources I use in the world? Am I giving as much as I am getting?

4. Brahmacharya: Moderation (Conservation of Energy)

Traditionally, yoga was taught as a monastic practice to young boys who have devoted their lives to spirituality. As yogis that live in the modern world, as householders with jobs, kids, and the stresses of busy lives, we must adapt these ethical principles to be practical for us.

This means, we don’t have to be celibate monks or nuns to live this principle. We can, however, live in moderation—conserving our energy (including, but not limited to, our sexual energy).

Let’s consider for a moment the sexual energy interpretation of brahmacharya. Imagine gathering up all the energy (time, money, and thoughts) that you have ever exerted on the pursuit, maintenance, and breaking up of romantic relationships from—let’s say—7th grade to today. That includes your 7th grade crush, high school heartbreak, online dating swiping, texting, analyzing with friends, and maybe some therapy.

Imagine you could have all that energy back. What books would you have read—heck, written—with that energy?! Surely, we all can redirect our energy better in this department.

Recently, conserving my energy has meant turning off all screens at 9 p.m. to wind down to sleep well. When I Netflix or scroll at night, I am not redirecting or conserving my energy properly. (Well, I do this as many nights as possible. Remember what Oscar Wilde said: “Everything in moderation, including moderation.)

I propose that neither Netflix nor sex are bad ways to spend your energy. Perhaps, being a yogi in the modern day just means that we do these things mindfully and in moderation.

Consider this: In what ways could I conserve my energy?

5. Aparigraha: Non-Possessiveness

Aparigraha is often translated as being non-possessive. It can also be viewed as not being jealous of what others have or do. Living the principle of aparigraha means you are self-reliant and have an attitude of gratitude for who you are and what you have.

We are neurologically programed for survival as humans to strive for more. However, in our modern world of excess, we can override some of that consciously. We can do that simply by noticing our thoughts and natural propensity for attachments without judgement.

Consider this: How can I be more grateful instead of jealous?

The Niyamas

6. Santosha: Contentment

Contentment, to me, also involves a sense of gratitude for the moment and the way things are. A feeling of contentment is like a muscle that needs to be strengthened and stretched through repetitions like journaling, prayer, or affirmations.

Building your contentment muscle doesn’t mean you are also complacent—not striving for ambitious goals. The challenge is finding a balance of being content with where you are in your journey while passionately working towards your vision.

If you are in school or in a job that is not ideal, although it is hard, can you enjoy the learning journey while working passionately (see #8: Tapas) toward your next destination?

Consider this: How can I create a habit and mindset of contentment, even when life gets busy and challenging?

7. Saucha: Cleanliness

They say that cleanliness is next to godliness. At a basic level, this means showering, wearing clean clothes, and keeping a clean and organized house (and a clean car— that’s my downfall). We could also interpret this as cleanliness of thoughts. (Oh my, do we all have some housekeeping to do!)

Consider this: Do I have a cleanliness downfall that I could work on?

8. Tapas: Passionate Self-Discipline

The word “tapas” in Sanskrit implies fire. It is often interpreted as having self-discipline, but I like the interpretation of having a “burning passion.” This is that burning desire to express our creativity, help others, and to meaningfully contribute in the world.

Following your path (or dharma) is not always easy; a lot of times it takes tireless work. Tapas is the fuel to keep doing the work. Often, this means resilience amidst failure.

When considering tapas, I often think back to santosha (contentment). A grandparent figure once told me, “be content but never satisfied.” Most rewarding things in life require hard work.

Consider this: How can I find more balance between contentment and a burning passion to improve?

9. Svadhyaya: Self-Study

Traditionally, svadhyaya is studying spiritual texts. I extend this broader to activities like reading any self-improvement or yoga book, listening to podcasts that make you reflect, journaling, and really, anything that helps you reflect on life.

Just by reading this article and reflecting on how to best integrate these ethical principles, you are practicing svadhyaya.

Consider this: What type of self-study is most fulfilling to me?

10. Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrendering

This can be translated as surrendering to a higher power or, even, simply to that which you cannot control in life. I think the Serenity prayer best sums up the feeling of this yogic principle:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” -Reinhold Niebuhr

Perhaps, you simply have to be humble and realize that you cannot control everything. This seems to be the hardest and the most important for a happy, fulfilling life. To me, ishvara pranadhana is an attitude of being in flow—accepting the challenges that arise in our lives with strength and resilience.

Consider this: How can I let go and be in flow more in my daily life?

I hope this article has helped you reflect on how these values play a real role in your everyday life: nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, non-possessiveness, contentment, and cleanliness, self-discipline, self-study, and surrendering.

Image credit: Kate Swarm

Everyone, everywhere talks about doing yoga early in the morning. “Get up earlier and start with the sunrise.” “Boost your productivity!” “Set the tone for your day!” How many times have we all heard this?

And while it IS true that a morning practice can be an invigorating and inspiring way to start the day, what about the benefits of practicing after work or before bed? Are there any?? Well…there’s a lot, actually!

When you practice in the morning, you usually end up using all the benefits of your practice on someone else (work, family, friends, neighbors, general interactions around town), whereas at night you get to savor all the wonderful benefits of your practice and use them while you replenish your own body and mind in the most important part of your restoration—during sleep!

Here are a few more reasons why nighttime yoga is a good idea.

1. You’ll Get Deeper, More Replenishing Sleep.

The relaxation effects of any yoga practice are wonderful for soothing you into sleep mode at the end of your day. Yoga engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for “rest and digest” functions (it is the opposite to the infamous “fight or flight” response).

This means that it begins the relaxation process required for adequate sleep a little bit earlier, and thus lessens the chances of lying awake thinking, waking up frequently, and having restless sleep.

2. Undress The Stress.

Literally take the stress off. Practicing yoga before bed is a really lovely way to metaphorically, but also physically, remove the stress from your body. It is a version of something called “energetic hygiene,” which most body workers will be familiar with.

Energetic hygiene basically means finding a routine or ritual that sheds unwanted or unpleasant parts of your day, or an interaction, off of you—like showering when you get home from work, or shaking your hands out dramatically after a stressful encounter. Yoga before bed is a peaceful and serene way to shed the layers of the day off of you and begin focusing on yourself only.

3. Soothe Tension, Aches, and Pains.

Stretching out before bed lessens any uncomfortable crunchiness you may experience from joint pain or injuries at the end of the day. These injuries can pollute your sleep and make you groggy the next day. Getting all oxygenated and releasing muscle tension before bed is the best way to ensure that those aches and pains do not interfere with your sleep.

4. Prevent Mind Chatter.

That tendency to think about one thing over and over again before bed is familiar to all of us. Softening and smoothing your breath, and opening your body physically will spread into your mindset and calm that chattering mind more quickly.

5. Enjoy Smaller, More Intimate Yoga Classes.

Another big benefit of practicing yoga at night is that if you are at a studio, the class size will very likely be smaller than the early morning groups—making it easier to focus and (more likely) get more one-on-one care and attention from your instructor.

If you are an introvert, having fewer people around will likely sound like heaven! And if you are an extrovert, having more one-on-one time with your instructor will make your day. Win-win!

The best part about improving the quality of your down time is that great sleep will inevitably decrease the effects stress has on your body, boost your immune system, and improve the way all of your organs function individually and as a team.

Yoga is not just a morning activity, in fact a nighttime practice is a delicious way to end your day, achieve deeper sleep, and ultimately, improve your whole life!

Image credit: Ania

Ever wonder what to expect when dating a yogi? There are many ways a yogi can enrich your world, and it has very little to do with the physical aspects of a person. Dating a yogi comes with plenty of benefits and inspiration, so if you are wondering what’s in store for you, here are a few fun facts about yogis as partners.

Get Ready for Some Healthy Food.

Yogis are not all about wheatgrass shots, but there are definitely some yummy buddha bowls, smoothies, and raw treats involved in the daily life of a yogi. This does not mean that wine, beer, or chocolate does not find their way into a yogi’s cupboard, but be prepared to expand your culinary mindset. Learning new dishes together while boosting the immune system can be a lot of fun!

You’ll Learn to Dive Deeper into the Essence of Things.

If you don’t want to get into deep, interesting conversations about the meaning of life and the origin of things, don’t date a yogi. Yogis are comfortable describing themselves as light and energy, and talking about whether they feel connected to the Universe or what they visualized during a delicious Savasana. Think of it as a new language you are learning, and the more you share, the better you get to know your yogi, so it’s worth it.

The Well-Being of All Living Things Matter.

You may have to get used to the fact that every possible animal needs to be rescued, and that the neighbor’s dog (or cat) may sometimes get more attention than you do. But don’t be fooled, you are still our number one! There is just so much love to go around and so many adorable creatures in this world (and so little time).

Material Things will not Impress Them Much.

Want to impress your yogi partner with a fancy car, your money in the bank, or a position within your company? Try again. Yogis are not so dazzled by the material things in life, so you have to do better than that.

Take your partner to a delicious vegetarian restaurant, make them a yummy smoothie or talk about the Universe while walking in the neighborhood park. Connect with your partner on a deeper level. If you don’t know how to start, let your yogi lead—they will love it.

Life will Most Likely Include Some Interesting Travel.

Whether it’s yoga retreats in Costa Rica or meditation moments in India, a yogi always has a wish list of places to go. The farther away and the more simple the existence can be during a holiday, the better.

But it’s also worth noting that it doesn’t matter where you end up going for a holiday, your yogi will surely find some interesting yoga spots or classes around.

You’ll have a Happy and Independent Partner.

Most (if not all) yogis are positive, balanced, and independent partners. It doesn’t mean they don’t have their moments of anger, sadness, or frustration; rather, most of the time, yogis sport a healthy dose of independence, non-attachment, and confidence. This will make them ideal partners who will treat you with love, respect, and healthy admiration.

You’ll be Taking a Lot of Pictures.

Don’t be alarmed if at any moment your partner will strike a pose and stand on her hands, asking you to take a picture. If your yogi wants to take a yoga pose pic in the middle of a crowded street or halfway into the ocean, just take the picture (as long as it’s safe, of course!) and don’t question its importance.

It’s important, and your support will mean the world to them. Want to earn extra points? Suggest an inspiring caption or a fitting quote to go with the picture.

These are just some of the things you can expect when dating a yogi. I didn’t even get into flexibility and other ‘cheeky’ perks of having a yogi partner. Obviously, not all yogis are the same—they have individual quirks and endearing characteristics that you’ll only discover once you start dating them.

We all know the feeling of waking up on New Year’s Day groggy, dehydrated, and all-around low. It’s no wonder we feel the need to create resolutions to feel better physically and mentally. But what if we decided not to wait until the first of the year to get healthy? Rather than staying out all night drinking, try these ideas for a healthy and active New Year’s Eve and start your year out feeling like a million bucks.

1. Go on an Active Getaway

Rather than getting a group of friends together to go drinking, spend that money on renting out a cabin near the mountains, a beach house, or the equivalent close to you. Choose somewhere that lets you get out in nature skiing, hiking, biking, or swimming. Spend your day outside, and your evening inside cooking healthy food and enjoying time with friends.

2. Get to Yoga

Lots of yoga studios hold special classes on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. These classes often feature a fun theme and sometimes even a social gathering to follow. Check out the studios in your area to see what’s on tap. This is a great way to stay healthy and connect with like-minded people in your area.

3. Host the Party

Your house, your rules. Invite friends who you know are okay with skipping the drinking (or at least heavy drinking). Get together to play games, go for a run, do yoga together, or play football. You could even make it into a competition involving a handful of sports. Get creative and get people excited about your alternative New Year’s Eve.

4. Go Dancing

In my opinion, this is one of the most fun ways to move your body. You don’t have to go to a loud, crowded club to dance the night away. Lots of cities have bars and restaurants that cater to all different types of music and crowds. Get Googling to see what you can find. You can get started early, get your dance on, and be home by midnight.

5. Treat Yourself to a Nice, Healthy Meal

Eating out doesn’t have to mean gorging on french fries and dessert. Rather than spending your money at the bar on New Year’s Eve, try a new restaurant with a focus on healthy cuisine. Lots of restaurants have special menus for the holiday, and it’s a great chance to try new things!

Often, restaurants that offer organic, local, or vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free cuisine can be on the pricey side. But if it’s within your budget to splurge (especially if you’re not spending that money elsewhere), invest in your health with a nice meal.

6. Enjoy a Spa Day with Your Friends

A quiet girls’ getaway is a great alternative to a New Year’s Eve party. Get together with some friends to book a hotel room for a night at a place that also has a day spa. Spend your day relaxing and feeding your soul with much-needed downtime. Enjoy a night in and watch the ball drop from your comfy hotel room bed.

7. Hang Out with Your Furry Friend

Dogs are just plain good for our health, physically and emotionally. Having a dog forces you to get outside and move your body. They are also there to cuddle you all night long while you watch the New Year’s Eve coverage from your couch. Take your pooch on a special evening walk, or head somewhere fun together earlier in the day. Treat your pup well all day and you can rest assured that you’ll have a wonderful midnight kiss.

The bottom line is that you don’t have to drink, stay out late, or overindulge to have a good time. Take this day and night to nurture the parts of you that need a little love. Whether it’s getting outdoors, laughing with friends, or eating well, all are wonderful ways to start a new year out on the right foot.

Credit: Kimson Doan

Most people who’ve been practicing yoga for a while have a yoga origin story. Mine began when I was only eight years old. At the time, I was a competitive swimmer, training several days a week, and competing in regular races.

Our coach was an intense man with the goal of getting his swimmers into the Olympics. As such, we didn’t just swim. We studied the mechanics of our strokes. We lifted weights and cross-trained. We did team cheers before each race for motivation. And yes, he introduced us to yoga and meditation, not to attain enlightenment, but to help us become stronger swimmers, both physically and mentally.

I often tell this story as an example of how people enter the practice of yoga with different goals. For many, it’s a spiritual practice. For others, it’s a tool to achieve exceptional physical conditioning. Yoga has been found to improve athletic performance in adults. In fact, many professional sports programs now incorporate yoga into their training programs.

If you are an athlete looking to integrate yoga into your regimen with the primary goal of increased physical prowess, you might discover some other, unexpected benefits. Read on to learn how yoga might surprise you.

1. Improved Breathing

Yoga includes the practice of pranayama, also known as breath regulation. Most yoga classes begin with a focus on breath and will typically include cues throughout to help students deepen their breath. A recent study found that yoga increases what is known as the vital capacity of the lungs, which is the amount of air a person can take into their lungs on their inhale breath.

One simple type of pranayama is known as belly breathing. To try it, close your eyes and draw your attention to your breath. Inhale through your nose and draw your breath down, feeling your belly expand like a balloon. Exhale through your nose and feel your belly contract.

Try practicing this for a few minutes each day, alone or as part of your mat-based asana (yoga postures) routine. When you return to your sport of choice, begin to notice how your breathing has changed.

2. Body Awareness

I was an avid runner when I first started practicing yoga daily. Only a few weeks into this daily practice, I started to become deeply attuned to the needs of my body. What before had just been a collection of parts became a finely calibrated system.

Yoga helped me to realize that everything is connected. If my gait was off, for example, that wasn’t just an issue for my feet, because my feet are the base of support for my knees and hips, which in turn affect my spine, leading all the way up to my neck and brain. Taking care of one part of my body was good for the entire system.

As I continue to age and my body changes, my yoga practice has helped me to have a firm foundation of body awareness, and a deep, powerful, and positive relationship with my body. Lately, I’ve been doing more strength training and I credit my progress there to first understanding my body through yoga.

3. Acceptance of Injuries

A few weeks ago, I overdid it with squats and began to notice some pain in my outer left hip that I attributed to a mild bursitis. Having just hit my groove in my strength training, I was a little frustrated at first. However, yoga has taught me how to ride the waves of life. In the past, I might’ve let that frustration derail my progress. Instead, I accepted this injury as just a part of life.

Yoga teaches me that change is inevitable. That means that injuries, pain, and illness might come, but that also means they’ll leave as well. I accepted my injury, looked at it objectively, continued to train the parts of my body that were feeling well, and soon felt much better. I returned to the exercises that targeted my hip flexor with a more moderate approach.

As an athlete, you probably have experience with injuries since you are training at the upper limits of your body. Incorporating yoga into your routine can help you to keep a positive and flexible mindset when you are in the stages of recovery.

4. Nutritional Balance

True story: I used to be really addicted to Diet Coke. I’d started drinking it as a teenager and up until a few years ago, I would drink about three or four sodas each day. Every time I’d read news articles about research showing how bad diet soda is for our bodies, I would decide that I’m done drinking it. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t quit.

Then came yoga. After a decade of trying to quit, with many unsuccessful attempts under my belt, my craving for soda faded away with seemingly no effort on my part. I stopped buying it and drinking it. It was the strangest thing.

I attribute this to my yoga practice which taught me how to develop stronger self-regulation of my behaviors and habits. As an athlete, you probably understand the importance of healthy eating to your athletic success. You might be surprised to find that yoga helps you to eat healthier and to drop any remaining bad health habits.

5. Mental Clarity

Another aspect of yoga is the practice of meditation. Remember how pranayama is about breath awareness? Meditation is about thought awareness. It trains people to become more aware of their thoughts and to develop a greater control over the content and flow of their mental energy.

I can remember, as a young swimmer, I performed worse in the races where I allowed doubts to enter my mind. So I trained myself to replace those thoughts with positive affirmations and saw an immediate improvement in my speed and capacity. No matter your sport of choice, learning how to notice your thought processes can be a powerful tool to help improve performance, motivation, and endurance.

A person’s yoga practice is a bit like a snowflake: each one is unique. While improved physical performance in your sport is a very likely outcome of integrating yoga into your routine, you’ll also experience other mental, physical, or spiritual benefits. Start slowly, listen to your body, and enjoy whatever comes.

Credit: Dan Morgan

From the perspective of any onlooker, CrossFit and yoga could not be more different. One is known for its brute force, high-energy, and aggressive moves, whereas the other is known for its calming, introspective practice.

As they can really feel like polar-opposites when it comes to movement modalities, it is common for a practitioner of one camp to not really delve into the other. But when the intention of both CrossFit and yoga is to boost and empower the mind and body, they are more similar than meets the eye.

Let’s look more closely at what CrossFit is, and examine the transition a CrossFitter can expect when moving towards yoga.

The Lingo

Like all movement modalities, CrossFit is complete with its own jargon that only a CrossFitter, or friends thereof, would understand. From WOD (workout of the day) to Rx’d (as prescribed), the lingo and numerous acronyms are akin to the secret handshake of a members-only club that in essence, creates community and solidarity.

The jargon used is universal such that whether you’re walking into a CrossFit Box in New York City or Barcelona, a CrossFitter is in familiar territory even if the land they’re in is not.

What is CrossFit like?

The physical regimen itself is made up of functional movements executed at high intensity. It is a full body workout and is a combination of cardio, weight lifting, gymnastics, and core training. The workout, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, can be quite varied, and its focus is on getting the most of the limited time you have.

Typically held in open warehouses referred to as the “box”, CrossFit is of the belief that the more intense the exercise in a shorter span of time, the more effective it is. Other than the surge of endorphins resulting from the intense workout, another aspect of CrossFit that appeals to CrossFitters is the communal environment of the physical regimen and the verbal encouragement given by teammates and coaches.

Deciding to move from CrossFit to yoga can, and will, certainly pose some challenges. One of the best ways to make the transition easy is to remain open-minded and know that the yoga environment and practice will be quite different than that of CrossFit.

How different is CrossFit from yoga?

While some yoga styles and classes, like Vinyasa, are dynamic, cardiovascular, and held in a group setting, yoga is in effect an individual practice. There will be no cheers from fellow yogis. The yoga teacher will offer encouragement but it will likely not be while shouting at the top of the lungs.

Whereas in CrossFit we want short quick bursts of movement, yoga would typically be more fluid—using flows and sequences to learn how to create control and grace in movement. Less momentum is used in yoga so students can connect to the deeper aspects of their core strength.

In yoga, students are encouraged to focus on steady breathing, primarily from the nose, whereas in CrossFit there is more heavy breathing and grunting. At the end of a CrossFit session, all participants usually congratulate one another verbally and with high fives. When ending a yoga class, there could be the chanting of ‘om’ and saying in unison ‘namaste’.

Yoga, like CrossFit, can be energizing, but the nature of the practice also makes it grounding.

CrossFit and yoga are two entirely different physical regimens, and yet, they are similar in that they both are rooted in strong community and solidarity. Although the execution and belief in how one should move are different, both CrossFit and yoga empower practitioners physically and mentally.

If one stays open to the method of achieving that empowerment, it can help ease the transition from CrossFit to yoga.

Before I was pregnant, I had grand illusions of what my practice would look like once I was. I envisioned taking lots of prenatal classes and having the opportunity to be around other pregnant women. I imagined what my home practice would look like, walking around my neighborhood.

And these things did happen, but not quite the way I’d imagined it. Because for myself, and probably most women, you never know until you are there. You will receive much well-intended advice from others, recommendations of what to do and what not to do, but at the end of the day, you have to listen to your body and your intuition.

Yoga Increases Circulation

There are many reasons to practice yoga when you are pregnant. First of all, it’s great for circulation. You have so much fluid and increased blood volume in your body; moving helps you not feel heavy or lethargic. It helps to move the blood where it is most needed, for the baby and for you. It is important to remain hydrated during pregnancy, yet this can result in swelling. Practicing yoga can help reduce this swelling and discomfort.

Yoga Boosts Energy

Practicing yoga and meditation can help with your energy levels. Moving your body can help you feel good – or sometimes it’s just a matter of feeling a little better, even if it’s still not great. You may feel tired, maybe even too tired to practice, but moving could be just the kickstart you need.

In these instances, you can practice one of the shorter sequences offered here at Doyouyoga. Something is almost always better than nothing. But you definitely don’t want to be so active that afterwards you are so exhausted you crash on the couch. That’s an indication you did too much. And some of your energy always needs to be saved for your growing baby! Recognize when it might be best for you to simply rest or nap.

Yoga Relieves Stress

Different yoga practices and meditation can help alleviate stress – from the pregnancy itself, or the thought of the baby who will be joining your household! Will you be a good mother? Do you have enough love to give this baby? Are you prepared? Informed? All of these thoughts and feelings are natural and to be expected.

Make sure you reach out to your community and other parents you know for support. It’s important to find and cultivate your community as a parent, for you and the baby.

Yoga Fosters Connection

You can create and build more of a connection between you and your baby using yoga. Some meditations foster these moments. Also, taking time each day to allow yourself to just be with yourself and your growing baby, or laying or cozying up in your favorite spot in your home are wonderful, simple things to do while you are pregnant.

Purposefully taking time out of the day to connect with your baby can help you relax and begin the bonding process. This special time when they are growing and thriving inside of you will fly by! Stop, take notice, and enjoy.

Yoga Promotes a Healthy Pregnancy

When you take care of yourself while you are pregnant, it will always nudge you in the direction of making better choices. Good, healthy and wholesome foods. Lots of rest, lots of water, and a cozy, stress-free environment. Listen to relaxing music – and music you enjoy! Walk outside. Take the time to be active and practice yoga and meditation, always to the degree it supports your pregnancy and keeps you and baby happy and safe.

When I was pregnant, I was more tired than I thought I’d be. In total, I went to about three public prenatal classes. After my prenatal yoga training from years ago, it was interesting to finally experience what yoga in a pregnant body was like. I was practicing all of the modifications at home and learning new ones. I learned that just 10 minutes on my mat can be magical.

My body was changing so much, and my yoga practice helped me feel good and strong. Remember that every woman is different, and every pregnancy is different. Listen to your body, and use your intuition. Be safe, and enjoy this precious time!