I’ve practiced yoga for a few years on and off but I promised myself 2017 was going to be my year of yoga. I found so many benefits from practicing it not only for my fitness but also for mentality. This is my year to travel with Book Yoga Retreats after trying yoga in the mountains and in Scotland last year.
In my last post I talked about low impact exercise that elevates the heart rate to a fat burn level, this actually also applies to some types of yoga practice as well. One of the best feelings I get from yoga is not only do you feel strong, you feel switched off from everything else – something that I’m sure you’ll agree is a rarity.
As I say 2017 is my year of getting back into yoga. With work changes and getting married I stopped, something I’ve really regretted. I am intending on getting back into it next month when I ultimately want to do a solo travel trip on a yoga retreat. That 100% is something I’ve eyed up consistently for the past 10 years, the photos call out to me, the tranquillity vibes beckon me and the fact I’d be going away just thrills me with the sheer thought! Ideally I’d love to to go on a yoga retreat to Thailand after visiting when I was younger, I remember seeing a big yoga group wishing I was part of it.
As I mentioned yoga works with the mind as well as the body, something that I actually believe is just as important. Even though yoga helps the body with more flexibility, lowering blood pressure, increasing circulation and of course helping you become stronger, it also really helps our minds. In order to achieve more we need to be in a good mental place, if you’re stressed out doing an aerobics class it can go one of two ways, you’ll either get the stress out from high impact or it will play on your mind. It might fade for a bit but then could return after the class, meaning you’re back to square one. Yoga feels and teaches us the polar opposite. Due to the way yoga is taught, the entire lesson is calm regardless of how tricky the moves might be, as there is an ongoing stillness of the mind.
I went through a tough patch mentally between the time I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I didn’t handle the life changing impact all that well and sort of got myself trapped in a dark mental hole. I honestly did everything I could to help myself get out of it and even started going to church to somehow feel like I had purpose. It helped but only temporarily and that was when I went to a yoga class near where I live. Initially I hadn’t a clue what to do, but the mixture of ages all there to achieve this inner peace just like me, somehow made me feel part of something. Not only would I start to feel in control of my mind I felt part of this amazing community. Leaving a yoga class I feel like I’ve hit the pause button or that any mental mishap has had a chance to restart, which isn’t like any feeling I get from any other sort of exercise.
Imagine that feeling of calm and now add a splash of travel and adventure?! That is what I’m talking about! So back to this yoga retreat idea I’d been looking at Book Yoga Retreats online, which might I add, has 4494 yoga retreats worldwide to chose from! So if you’re indecisive like me, be prepared to keep looking for hours! If you’re one of my UK based readers you could try to go to a UK based one first, (happy to even organise a few of us to go if people are interested) and then spread your wings after that. Combining adventure with yoga is possibly my perfect scenario, something I got to sample in Austria, and certainly something I’d highly recommend. I really want to be brave and just select a retreat and go… questions is which!
Do you practice yoga? Have you considered a retreat too?
*Post in collaboration with Book Yoga Retreats*
I think a yoga retreat would be a wonderful way to spend some time with yourself and relax and recharge. Yoga has so many benefits and it is truly a wonderful way for people to be fit both physically and spiritually.
I have to admit I do love yoga – never thought of going on a retreat though x
I promised myself to do more yoga this year but have done about 2 sessions so far!! I know it can help so much mentally and physically but I can't seem to persuade myself to do it. Maybe a yoga retreat is just what I need to get myself motivated. Do you have any other tips?
Funny i was just talking about Yoga and then read this, bonus, I haven't done it for years but im going to start again soon, I have also mentioned it to my hubbie who has a bad back to try and improve muscle strength so very helpful post, would love a retreat as well 🙂 thanks x
I took Yoga classes years ago, and it was such a great experience. I definitely need to start up again and would consider a retreat once I got to a higher level. Thanks for sharing! x
I need to get back into yoga in 2017 too. It really helped my posture massively. I can imagine taking classes really helped after your diagnosis, I think people underestimate the power of yoga on the mind.
I have been doing yoga every day for the past few months and the mental health benefits have been huge.
Wow your images look so calm and serene, I feel at peace just looking at them! I havent tried yoga yet but as an anxious person, I think it would be great for me xxx
Your photos are stunning. I have been into fitness since I was 18 but only started learning about the benefits of yoga wand stretching when I got injured. I am incorporating more of it this year to my regime and your post definitely gave me that push!
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I've never really tried yoga before but the retreat sounds calming and relaxing
Yoga is very good for your mind and soul as well as body. I need to do yoga again x
I've never done yoga, I have thought about doing it and would really like to try it x
I only discovered yoga properly last year. Makes me feel positive as doing some exercise but helps me so much mentally and helps keep me calmer x
I do a type of yoga called DDP yoga which gets my heart racing so quickly even though I'm pretty much standing still, it's crazy. I need to get back into doing it properly x
I need to get back into Yoga! I used to do it but haven't rediscovered it since I was pregnant.
I feel head over heels for yoga last year. I like Vinyassa flow that keeps my mind just focused enough and am amazed at how good I feel afterwards.
You make it look so effortless, I've only ever tried it twice and I found it stressful and I'm so inflexible with a dodgy wrist! I've done pilate before but can't seem to take to yoga. I need to try it again
Fab photos Annie! I've never tried yoga but always wanted to! It's so cool you can go to a yoga retreat! xo
I'm starting Yoga this year and I need a serious de-stress. I wasn't aware that there are yoga retreats could be something for me to look into if I take to yoga xx
I know yoga is very good for you, but I'm a little bit too lazy to do the stretches.
Yoga does sound amazing and I have always wanted to commit to it, a retreat might be a way of starting! I am glad it helped you detail with your diagnosis.
I love yoga and is so peaceful! As a mom, anything that can bring my mind peacefulness is wonderful!
I have never done Yoga before but would probably greatly benefit from it. I know others that swear by it.
I have spent two summers in China where I did yoga around two times a day and it was amazing! I'd love to go on a proper retreat though. Good luck with your goals!
I've never tried Yoga before but it has been recommended to me for a lower back issue. I need to give it a go!
omg a yoga retreat sounds exactly like something I need so bad right now!
Creepers & Cupcakes
I don't practise yoga, but would definitely consider a retreat! 🙂