Episode 16: Stretch Yourself, Change Your Life
Yoga, to me, is what’s known as a keystone habit.
A keystone habit is a habit which, when adopted, leads to adopting other better habits, which then leads to overall higher quality of life.
In my case, prioritizing a daily yoga class has completely transformed my life. For a few months, I dedicated myself to this habit and now I go to yoga six times a week, every week, no exceptions.
In doing this, I went from being depressed, unhappy and kind of overweight to waking up before sunrise, with abs, a smile, and my own business. Best of all, after years of struggling with depression, I feel like the real me is back and here to stay.
Not bad, right!
You might wonder how yoga can have such a profound effect. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t all just yoga, but the truth is, that yoga is a phenomenal workout because it incorporates both body and mind.
According to health experts, yoga can:
Improve circulation
Lead to weight-loss
Increase muscle strength and tone overall
Improve flexibility, reduce arthritis and back pain
Improve relaxation, stress reduction and quality of sleep
Improve mindfulness and mental health, and the likelihood of a positive outlook on life!
With benefits like these, it’s a wonder why we’re not all in tree pose right now! Keep reading below to find out my recommendations for where to practice in the city!
Newbie Yogis: Modo Yoga Uptown / St. Clair West
Modo is a chain of yoga studios across the city. They offer a large variety of classes, including their own signature “Modo” yoga class. Although yogis of all levels can and should try Modo, I recommend it for beginners especially because the classes are consistently great around town. Meaning, you’ll likely have a professional and friendly class wherever you go!
Intermediate: I Am Yoga
I Am Yoga is also an all-levels studio but they offer a wide variety of classes for any yogi to deepen their practice. Some of their teachers, just like this space, have been in the Toronto yoga community for many years. The owners of this studio have health and well-being as top of mind, and you can even get healthy meals or filtered water between classes. Best of all, if you find yoga to be expensive or if you work outside of 9 to 5 hours, I Am Yoga has an energy exchange program which allows those accepted to volunteer in exchange for classes.
Advanced: BeHot Yoga
BeHot Yoga really means what they say. This studio offers mainly hot yoga and hot pilates classes, in a sauna environment. Although the teachers are friendly and people from all walks of life join the studio, I was personally happy to have found this studio later on in my yogi journey. Because I already have an understanding of the way my body reacts to hot yoga classes, it wasn’t as much of an adjustment as say, someone completely new to yoga. Come hydrated and ready to have your life changed!
Well, what did you think? Interested in taking a class?
I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know in the video comments and be sure to subscribe to the channel and to my newsletter below so you never miss a video!
