What Motivates You To Practice Yoga?
There are many motivations we could have for practicing yoga, after all there are so many benefits. But one question that continually fascinates me is what is the original motivation to practice yoga? What is it that drives someone to get interested in the topic and then take the leap toward joining what can sometimes be an intimidating practice?
After an informal survey of people's motivations, here's what I found:
1. Fitness. First and foremost, those who were motivated to practice yoga had already been looking for ways to improve their health and fitness in their lives. Some were motivated by weigtht loss, others by increasing their overall health and energy. When it comes to fitness, many people are turned off by traditional aerobics or fitness programs - they may feel they are too challenging, too competitive or just not the right mix of mental and physical fitness.
2. Social. This was a big one, many people who became involved with yoga did so by knowing someone else already involved helping to tear down the barrier and give it a try. This is no different than how we get involved with many things in life, but seems to be a particularly strong motivator for yoga since it is often done in groups.
3. Overcome ailment. Another common thread with those I spoke with on their motivation for starting yoga and meditation was to overcome a specific ailment or health challenge. High on the list were recently diagnosed diabetics, high blood pressure and those suffering heart problems. Yoga is an attractive option as it addresses both the emotional and physical suffering that goes with any such ailment.
There were other motivations for starting yoga - peer pressure, desire to look good, slowing down aging and even a growing movement toward spiritualism as well as the desire to bring more alignment into one's life.
What is your motivating for practicing yoga?
Feel free to comment - we enjoy hearing your responses.
Jeff Smith
Higher Achievement Through Yoga and Meditation
http://www.yogasuccess.com
After an informal survey of people's motivations, here's what I found:
1. Fitness. First and foremost, those who were motivated to practice yoga had already been looking for ways to improve their health and fitness in their lives. Some were motivated by weigtht loss, others by increasing their overall health and energy. When it comes to fitness, many people are turned off by traditional aerobics or fitness programs - they may feel they are too challenging, too competitive or just not the right mix of mental and physical fitness.
2. Social. This was a big one, many people who became involved with yoga did so by knowing someone else already involved helping to tear down the barrier and give it a try. This is no different than how we get involved with many things in life, but seems to be a particularly strong motivator for yoga since it is often done in groups.
3. Overcome ailment. Another common thread with those I spoke with on their motivation for starting yoga and meditation was to overcome a specific ailment or health challenge. High on the list were recently diagnosed diabetics, high blood pressure and those suffering heart problems. Yoga is an attractive option as it addresses both the emotional and physical suffering that goes with any such ailment.
There were other motivations for starting yoga - peer pressure, desire to look good, slowing down aging and even a growing movement toward spiritualism as well as the desire to bring more alignment into one's life.
What is your motivating for practicing yoga?
Feel free to comment - we enjoy hearing your responses.
Jeff Smith
Higher Achievement Through Yoga and Meditation
http://www.yogasuccess.com