The Joy of Yoga
in Iyengar yoga, I watched my body
transform and the yoga practice flourish.
by Ruth Ann Bradley As my body opened up, my emotions
released and my depression lifted.
T
oday, more than ever, it is espe- As we stretch and bend in yoga
cially important that we include classes, we are training our bodies to be
practices in our daily lives that flexible as well as learning to be adapt-
promote health and well being. BKS able. Adaptability can prove to be our
Iyengar once said that a regular practice greatest strength as we move through
of yoga can help you face the turmoil of life.
life with steadiness and stability. An ongoing yoga practice has a
My personal journey with yoga lot to offer no matter what stage of life
started at a young age when I spot- you are in. Physically, it can help you
ted a pocket book at the grocery store improve your strength, flexibility, and
checkout with a woman standing on her balance. It requires us to focus on the
head. Inspired to teach myself yoga, my present moment which helps to clear
mother agreed to spend a quarter and the mind and bring a sense of peace. A
buy it for me! Yoga, to some degree was daily practice can lift your spirits and
always part of my life. give them a much needed energy boost.
After a horse racing accident left It also provides the time for contempla-
me with a crushed leg, ankle and foot, tion so that we can make thoughtful,
it was the yoga practice that I turned to careful choices. I can’t think of a better
for relief. In less than 15 seconds my life time to put our yoga into a real life
of joy and promise changed to one of practice than in times of hardship or
pain, uncertainty and depression. More great personal challenges. I have found and reduce stress. This ancient practice
than a year spent using crutches, sev- that the regular practice of yoga poses and philosophy can still help to counter
eral surgeries and against the doctor’s and breathing, with moments of quiet the stresses of our everyday life. Stay
predictions, I was able to learn to walk reflection, have become the foundation joyful! Practice yoga!
again. The pain I experienced was ex- for my life. Ruth Ann Bradley is a certified
cruciating and the depression was real. We do not always have the power Iyengar teacher and teaches classes
But still, I persevered and for the next to change our life circumstances or for all levels in Cooper City at the
8 years experienced different styles of the situations we are faced with in our Yoga Institute of Broward. She can be
yoga. It was my first Iyengar yoga class country. But we do have the power to reached at 954.452.4424 or through
with Bobbi Goldin that changed my transform how we feel about the chal- her website
www.yogabroward.com or
life and put me on my road to recovery. lenges. Around the world, people are email
Ruthann@yogabroward.com. See
Through the proper alignment, a focus turning to yoga as a means to keep fit ad page 44.
32 Broward County
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72