7 Reasons to Practice Yoga This Holiday Season
- Dec 21, 2016
- 3 min read
With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, the holiday season is upon us. It’s the
season of giving, spending time with family and friends, and relishing the little things that make
our lives worth living. But, while the holiday season can be filled with joy, it can also be a hectic
and stressful time of year. Thankfully, yoga can help! A single yoga class can help to ease
holiday stress, boost your mood, help you get a head start on your 2017 resolutions, and so much
more. If you’re looking a little extra motivation, here are our top 7 reasons to practice yoga this
holiday season…
1. Reduce Stress. If you’re like most people, you probably find that the holidays are a little
hectic. If you’re traveling, you may have to deal with long lines, complicated schedules, or lost
sleep. You may be hosting holiday parties, shopping for the perfect gifts, or anxiously navigating
uncomfortable family situations. With so much going on, you know you need to find a way to
relax. But, relaxing can be easier said than done – which is why yoga is such a lifesaver. When
you’re on the mat, you can let it all go.
2. Boost Your Mood. Yoga can help to reduce stress in a big way, but it can also make a big
difference in your mood. Researchers have found that yoga can have a significant, positive effect
on feelings of well-being and contentment. Practitioners commonly describe feeling happier, less
anxious, and more comfortable after a yoga class. Though power classes will affect your body
differently than deeper restorative practices, you’ll reap similar mood-boosting benefits no
matter which class you choose.
3. Refresh and Reinvigorate. If you’re feeling a little worn out at the end of a crazy year, taking
a yoga class is the perfect opportunity to push the “reset” button and get your energy levels up
again. With the New Year just around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to relax, refresh,
and emerge ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
4. Refocus on What Matters. The holidays are the time of year that we feel most appreciative
and grateful for the people we love. Though it’s easy to lose sight of this gratitude throughout the
year, yoga can help you feel more solidly grounded in the things that really matter. And, with
each practice, you get to set a new intention – which can help you refocus on what matters most
in your life.
5. Invest in Yourself. It’s easy to get so caught up in our lives that we forget that we need a little
self-care now and then. If you’re feeling frazzled this holiday season, it might be time to slow
down and invest in some quality time with yourself. Especially for those of us who devote so
much of our time to caring for others – whether through work or in the home – yoga can be one
simple way to stay connected with yourself and feel peaceful in the midst of this hectic season.
6. Stay Active. Though you might feel like you’re running around enough as it is, it’s easy to let
fitness take a back-burner though the holidays. But, with the New Year just around the corner,
you know (perhaps somewhere in the back of your mind) that you’ll thank yourself if you
prioritize fitness a couple of weeks early. If your work load is any lighter during the holidays,
consider using the time to take an extra class or two. Your body will thank you in the weeks and
months to come.
7. Set Your Sights for 2017. Though you might normally set your New Year’s resolutions at the
beginning January, consider getting a head-start this year. If you begin to prioritize health and
fitness during the holidays, you’ll find it that much easier to achieve your goals in 2017. And,
unlike other workouts, yoga doesn’t have to be a drag – after every class, you’ll leave feeling
happier, healthier, and more excited to continue meeting your goals. What could be better than
that?
If you want to reap all of these benefits (and more!), we have a few special classes just around
the corner:
On Sunday, December 25th, join Abbey Daw for a Sweat & Soul Christmas Celebration.
Beginning at 10 am, she’ll be unwrapping gifts with you and leading an extra-special
holiday class.
For a festive New Year’s celebration, join us on Sunday, January 1st at 10 am for a class
with Scott Moore and Kim Dastrup.
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