Why Practice Alignment-Based Hatha Yoga?
Learn about how the Yoga Center of Columbia’s Director, Kelly, came to practice yoga, and about the benefits and rewards of a regular alignment-based Hatha Yoga practice. “The principles of alignment are principles we all can return to in yoga practice or throughout the day,” she says. “Understanding these practices are like having a handbook for living well.” Read on for her story!
Beyond Yoga Poses
“If yoga practice [insert your mindful movement here, Pilates, qigong, nature walks] doesn’t make you a better person, why do it?” I once had a yoga teacher ask me this and I’ve never forgotten it. I was a gymnast through middle and high school and began yoga once that seemed too dangerous, but it was and is the mental and spiritual benefits that keep me coming back to my practice.
Yoga with Weights
Want to add a little extra to your yoga practice? Just add weights!
For decades, health and wellness experts, healthcare professionals, and even scientists have researched and have proven the benefits of exercise and fitness. Many of them even say movement is medicine. It can be overwhelming at times to choose what works best for you because of how many modalities of fitness there are.
Yoga in the Wild
My nephew recently graduated from college. He went to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, so we went down to help him celebrate with his family. It is an exciting time to see his promise and potential, and we drove home on Skyline Drive. Taking the scenic route home reminded me that we do not have to go far to have wonderful experiences. This summer, celebrate with the Yoga Center. If you are traveling somewhere near or far, snap a pic of yourself in a yoga pose, then follow and tag us on social media. We are @The Yoga Center of Columbia on Facebook and @Columbiayoga on Instagram.
Steadfast and Strong in Spring
“I am beginning to despair and can see only two choices: either go crazy or turn holy.”
― Adélia Prado, The Alphabet in the Park: Selected Poems
What does yoga practice have to offer us in times of great chaos? Among other things, stability, grounding, connection, will power, and perspective.
What to Expect at Your First Yoga or Pilates Class: A Beginner's Guide
Walking into your first yoga or Pilates class shouldn't feel like stepping into the unknown. At the Yoga Center of Columbia, we've spent over three decades helping beginners start their wellness journey with confidence. Here's everything you need to know to make your first class a comfortable, positive experience.