Reaping the Benefits of Yoga

I’ve been a proponent of yoga for as long as I can remember. It started as a way to preserve my flexibility after many years of dance and gymnastics as a child and teenager. It then evolved into a form of stress relief and eventually a way to prepare my body for childbirth, as I took prenatal yoga from the time I was six weeks pregnant right up until the very end of my pregnancy at 39 weeks.

June 21 is National Yoga Day, also known as International Day of Yoga. In December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed this day due in part to yoga’s universal appeal and increasing popularity. For 2017, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations has chosen to recognize yoga for health. Not only does yoga improve flexibility and increase strength, it also helps foster a better connection between mind and body.

Here are a few yoga classes taking place on National Yoga Day to consider if you’ve been wanting to try it for the first time, or if you’re looking to step outside of your comfort zone and discover a new type of yoga:

• The Hot Yoga Spot – On National Yoga Day, the Hot Yoga Spot will offer a special outdoor class at Stuyvesant Plaza in support of Alzheimer’s disease awareness and research.
• The Balance Loft – Check out their hour and 15 minute Hot Power Flow class at 6 p.m. During most hot yoga classes, the room is heated to about 95 degrees to encourage flexibility.
• Good Karma Studio – If you read my pal Victoria’s post on 10 Fun Ways to Get Fit in and Around the Capital District, you probably noticed that she tried aerial yoga. If you’re interested in giving this a shot, head over to Good Karma Studio on National Yoga Day for their 7 p.m. aerial yoga class for beginners.
• Lotus Wellness Studio – This studio offers so much more than yoga! After trying out their 9:30 a.m. community class or 6 p.m. Gentle Flow Beginning Yoga class, indulge in a massage or body treatment!
• Heartspace Yoga & Healing Arts – The Albany location offers a Yoga Foundations and Fundamentals class at 6 p.m. The Troy location will offer a community Vinyasa class by donation at 7:20 p.m.

*Please note, for many of these studios/classes, pre-registration is required.  

To make yoga more accessible for all, CDPHP^® will once again sponsor Free Fitness in the Park in downtown Troy. Every Sunday at 9 a.m. from June 25 through August 27, yoga novices and enthusiasts alike can come down to Riverfront Park for an hour-long yoga session led by instructors from Heartspace Yoga & Healing Arts, the Balance Loft, and Lotus Wellness Studio.

So, what are you waiting for? Incorporating yoga into your life could make a big difference in your stress level, flexibility, and overall well-being. Grab some friends and spend some well-deserved time on your mat this summer!