How has Yoga impacted your life?

I recently asked this question to my students.  This blog post highlights some of their responses, allowing my students to have a voice instead of me this time.  Here’s some of what they said:

“I definitely think I'm stronger, more flexible, and have fewer daily aches than I would have if I didn't do yoga regularly. It helps me be able to get down and up off the floor, which is so important for longevity, not to mention playing with young family members. Yoga also calms my mind and helps with positivity. I take classes by watching YouTube videos, as well as in person. Thanks to all the benefits, I hope to continue with yoga well into my elder years!” - Julie

“Yoga class with Camille informs not only how I want to be on the mat, but how I want to be in my life- more pliable and balanced, yet rooted, connected more deeply to my core and to the core of the earth beneath my feet. It also helps me make contact with, and deepen, new versions of strength, yet a much needed softness, too. Bringing the practice home, I find a rare internal quiet that's otherwise been hard to access in my day to day life. Already so many gifts to my body, to my spirit, yet as I persist in the practice over time, surely they'll only continue to unfold….” - Carol

“My yoga practice has given me a full quality of life.  Fully realized at 81 years old and going strong.  My breathing, posture, flexibility, balance, and strength are fabulous as is my continuous mental well-being…Hatha Yoga is a daily practice on a mat or chair for everyone no matter how young or old.  It works for everyone and gives you what YOU need.  Yoga IS, in my opinion, "a lifeline”.” - Jackie

“I was always used to moving fast in my workouts but yoga was different and Camille was different. The class was slower paced and focused on breathing and something that I had never heard before- acceptance of what your body can do at that exact moment… My mind is only on Camille’s direction from one pose to the next. Yoga has taught me to be in the moment. Another positive from doing yoga is that my blood pressure after class is reduced. Yoga for me is a moving meditation.” - Kathy

“I love learning new body and mind skills.  It is a practice and a journey and I love that it’s not about competition but what you can do on any given day.” - Carol

“Having suffered chronic back pain for years from bulging and herniated discs, yoga is the only non-medicinal remedy I've tried that reduces the pain and keeps it manageable. Yoga has also helped with strength and flexibility as I age, and I credit my practice with helping to improve my bone density, again, without medications and their side effects. The side effects of yoga are relaxation,  improved strength and flexibility, and a greater sense of well-being” - Lois

“At the age of 83, yoga continues to primarily help me maintain some flexibility. I have met great people and so appreciate your approach to the practice. Your use of cues and  constant acceptance of individual limitations has allowed me to continue even though my ability to keep up has diminished… Overall Yoga has provided me the ability to maintain some flexibility and a calmness that is importantly needed in day to day life.” -Susan

“Yoga has helped to eliminate a lot of my stiffness. By doing these simple movements, I’m able to move with less aches and pains throughout the day. Spending an hour on my mat gives me time to do something just for me which actually has a way to settle me down and reduce any stress I might be feeling.” Donna

“Yoga has been a big part of my life for the last 35 years. It has helped me maintain my flexibility, strength and balance. It has also taught me how important proper breathing is to our mental and physical health. Practicing yoga has also taught me the importance of calm in my life.” - Jackie
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“The most important thing to me about having a consistent yoga practice is that I am a lot healthier in many ways. I rarely get colds, sore throats, flu. Yoga keeps me flexible and able to move around more easily… and I feel that I have far less pain than most people my age. I also believe that yoga has kept me from losing as many inches in height than other people my age have.” - Kathy

“I have always been an active person and yoga has allowed me to stay that way!  My friends are impressed that I am able to get on and off the floor to play with my grandchildren.” - Betsy

"Yoga has brought me balance when I roller skate.  I am surprised that I fall less at 52 than when I was in my teens.  It has brought me awareness of my breath that allows me to stop and breathe before proceeding into a difficult situation.”  - Julie