LOCAL VENUE Yoga Your Way

The county seat of historic Cochise County, Bisbee, Arizona, is located just 90 miles southeast of Tucson, in the Mule Mountains. Once a bustling home to a thriving mining community, the town now draws visitors from around the world who appreciate its horistoric and welcoming spirit. Bisbee’s picturesque downtown has been well-preserved and his the perfect place to find relaxation and inspiration.

Source: discoverbisbee.com

Did you know practicing Yoga can actually increase your brain function? Yes, you read that right – studies have shown that the areas of your brain responsible for attention, neuroplasticity, executive function and motivation are all activated when practicing yoga. Depending on the type of Yoga you practice, there are other benefits as well. It can improve your posture, your cardiovascular function, balance, reduce anxiety, boost your immunity, reduce inflammation and improve your overall quality of life. Yoga isn’t just a workout, it’s a lifestyle, and one you can practice just about anywhere.

If you are a beginner, you might want to consider joining a yoga studio. Having that community can really build your confidence and help create a safe place for you to really focus. When you feel more comfortable, you can take your mat on hikes for a quick mountaintop session or stop at a park on your lunch break for a winddown before heading back to the office.

There are several different types of yoga. Try to find a style that best fits your intentions and desires for the moment. For example, if you’re looking to reduce stress and anxiety, Yin and Restorative are both good places to start. Yin yoga is one of the most relaxing styles. It focuses on bringing balance to your life by calming your mind, body, and spirit with quiet and reflective meditation. Restorative is very similar but focuses a little more on relaxing and soothing your nerves. Both of these will ignite your parasympathetic nervous system sending you into deep relaxation and leaving you feeling restored.

Hatha yoga is a great style for those just starting out. It teaches you the basics on breath, posing, relaxation and meditation. It is very popular and will help to build a foundation so you can easily transition to more skillful styles with continuous flow between movements. Vinyasa would be your next step up – incorporating both basic and advanced poses for a more athletic style. Vinyasa can also be called power yoga and can be quite the workout.

Many also enjoy the experience of Kundalini. This unique style focuses on the spiritual and emotional side of health. Breathwork adds to the rejuvenating effect of Kundalini, because the movements are most often synchronized to your breath, sometimes by using a mantra or chant. While some exercises are sure to be a bit of a physical challenge, the goal is to find a meditative space of peace and comfort.

With all the benefits Yoga has to offer and the fact that you can easily practice in your own living room, what’s stopping you from giving it a try? It might just change your life.