In honor of this season of love, Charles Communications reflects on one of the practices that nurtures us: yoga. We may practice for different reasons, but for all of us yoga cultivates the soul and invigorates the body. What nurtures you?
KIMBERLY CHARLES
Photo courtesy of Chapin Yoga Center
Preferred Yoga Style: Vinyasa
What I've Learned from Yoga: I first started practicing at Jivamukti in New York City back in the late 1980s. I felt really comfortable with the poses and a friend said, "Been there, done that?" Past Life? It genuinely felt so. Yoga is a lifelong practice and it is just that, a practice, very individual to the person and there should be no competitive spirit as there is in other sports. I love that you can be on the mat metaphorically and literally wherever you go. It has moved me emotionally. Your body holds on to all sorts of things, some that serve and much that doesn't. As an analytical person, it's such a tonic for me to get out of my head and in to my body. Namaste!
ALEX FONDREN
Photo courtesy of Recreation and Leisure
Preferred Yoga Style: Vinyasa (the sweaty kind)
What I've Learned from Yoga: Yoga has made me realize what a distraction and hindrance my overactive brain can be to my overall well-being. Taking 75-90 minutes to focus on nothing other than body and breath is more restorative than any mental processing could ever be, and the forced meditation (and I do need to be forced to meditate...) that results from vigorous, sweaty, hot vinyasa has resulted in an anxiety relief that's better than any prescription. This style of yoga is also the most comprehensive, results-driven workout I have yet to find.
HOLLY REYNOLDS
Photo courtesy of The Art of Living
Preferred Yoga Style: Bikram
What I've Learned from Yoga: For me, yoga is all about rejuvenating and strengthening my body. I spend much of my time running, playing soccer, and engaging in other high-intensity sports that are physically taxing. Yoga helps me to engage my mind and body so that I may heal and relieve stress after an arduous week.
ANTHONY SALAZAR
Anthony practicing Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance pose with bind) at Joshua Tree National Park
Preferred Yoga Style: Power Vinyasa with a focus on balance poses
What I've Learned from Yoga: I have been practicing yoga for almost 2 years now and it has changed me physically, mentally and spiritually. It was through yoga that I learned how to have a balance in everything that I do in life and to focus on things that are more important. In addition, yoga has strengthened my body tremendously and helped me become more flexible to do some balancing poses. I am currently including Vrishchikasana (Scorpion Pose) in my everyday practice which is a kind of inversion that helps in increasing blood flow to the head and brain.
HILLARY LYONS
Photo courtesy of Brené Brown.
Preferred Yoga Style: Power Vinyasa
What I've Learned from Yoga: I've never been any good at meditating (I just can't seem to shut my brain off) but the combination of movement and a guided routine does the trick. As the researcher and speaker Brené Brown said, "We move what we're learning from our heads to our hearts through our hands." Yoga allows me to quiet my circular thinking and gives me a sense of clarity that I can't achieve through reflection alone. Power vinyasa is strenuous enough to get me out of my own head, and I love the natural rush!
AMANDA GIRALDO
Photo courtesy of New Yoga Taichi
Preferred Yoga Style: Vinyasa
What I've Learned from Yoga: Yoga has allowed me to connect with myself as I truly feel each breath I take to be in the present moment. I can quiet my mind and soothe my body to feel whole again. It is my time to disconnect from the world to reconnect with myself.
All the Swirl is a collection of thoughts and opinions assembled by the staff and industry friends of Charles Communications Associates, a marketing communications firm with its headquarters in San Francisco, California. We invite you to explore more about our company and clients by visiting www.charlescomm.com.