I tried a calming mindful yoga practice, and the results were surprising

by Universalwellnesssystems April 15, 2024

written by Universalwellnesssystems April 15, 2024

Yoga really clicked for me when I first tried it seven years ago. I didn’t know what I was doing in the first class, but I enjoyed connecting with my body, focusing on the present moment, and doing something a little different from my usual workouts at the gym.

It quickly became part of my daily routine, and I started walking down the street to my local studio three times a week. But then the pandemic hit and I got a set of adjustable dumbbells for home strength training, so the studio (sadly) closed for good.

At this point, my last in-person class was over four years ago. So when he was offered the chance to try one of the new sleep sessions, hot pod yoga In London I thought it might be an easy way to get back into practice.

The company describes the class as a “soft, flowing routine of gentle stretching, release, and mindfulness techniques,” but I was a little worried that I’d forget how to do many of the poses. So this sounded ideal. So I went to the studio to try it out.

I missed a face-to-face class.

(Image credit: James Frew / Tom’s Guide)

I really like training at home. You can quickly change into your gym clothes, load your session into the Workout app, and start working out. This is the main reason I quit the gym for home training, but that doesn’t mean it’s a perfect environment.

A few weeks ago, when I visited Peloton Studios in London for a spin class, I was reminded for the first time of how good it feels to be part of a community working towards the same goals. In that case, it was high-intensity indoor cycling, but it reminded me of how I felt about yoga.

Attending the Hotpod Yoga Sleep Session was more intimate (there were 4 people in the class), but had similar benefits. It was so nice to be with other people and share experiences together. Additionally, the studio was basically located inside a large, warm tent, which was also a novelty.

I was more present

Another benefit of leaving home and taking classes was that I had the opportunity to really focus on what I was doing. To be honest, I often multitask during my home workouts and use my breaks to prepare meals and check emails and messages.

We couldn’t do that here. This is because my cell phone was kept in my bag locker. But I was also in a space that I couldn’t recreate at home. There was calming music, ambient lighting, and a teacher guided the class.

And I was able to focus on the experience as I adjusted my position, adopted new poses, and noticed the sensations in my body. It meant feeling out which parts of my body were comfortable and which parts were not, and being able to focus completely on the present moment without worrying about it.

It also reminded me that mindfulness, the act of being present in the present moment, is a practice. I meditate every day, but I still find myself lost in thought. Without distractions, this class also helped me connect with my body while exercising this mental muscle.

It’s okay to take it easy sometimes

(Image credit: James Frew / Tom’s Guide)

In general, I like my exercises to be quick, efficient, and effective. That’s why I do high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) workouts. It’s difficult, but it works every muscle in your body, gets your heart rate up, and can often be completed in less than 30 minutes.

This Sleep Session class was the exact opposite. It begins with alternate nostril breathing, some reflective meditation, and some slow poses held for several minutes at a time, ending with an extended period of relaxation with your back on the mat and a bolster under your knees. It’s over.

I don’t think I would ever choose to spend an hour doing some gentle movement and relaxation at home, but I finished class with an amazing amount of energy, especially considering I almost fell asleep during class several times. I was able to. studio.

I rarely walk in relative silence with my workout headphones in my pocket, but that’s what I did when I left the studio. I felt more connected to my environment and the people around me in a different way than if I were out of breath after a strenuous workout.

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