Starting my Yoga Journey in 2020

When I began learning yoga starting this year, little did I know that I would fall deeply in love with it.

I still remember my first day at the Yoga Studio, our instructor was giving instructions like curl your spine, bend your lower back, twist your hand and so on. Half the time went in just figuring out what and how to twist. All I was waiting was for Shavasana and I knew I would nail it. Finally when in Shavasana, the instructor tells, "now imagine a light glowing on your forehead, move it to different parts of the body, relax it and heal the pain you are feeling.". I had no idea what to image and how to move it just like that! That day, even Shavasana for which I was eagerly waiting for an hour long seemed to be tough to crack.

That night, coming back from office the first thing I did was to study human anatomy memorizing each body part from forehead to toe, spine to navel, elbow to knee, palm to foot and what not. So that next day I can at least relate to what the instructor was telling.

Confusions did not last for long. As days passed my body started gaining momentum and the poses that used to haunt initially were now attainable. Most importantly, my mind now knew that these twists won't be breaking my bones which made the body to push its limits.

Two months down, I was no more a beginner. Everyday there was something new to learn. Muscle soreness wasn't bothering anymore. Instead I started enjoying the sweet relief from all the work they've been doing. It came to a point where I started looking forward to the next sunrise just to explore something new in my yoga class.

Unfortunately when everything was going in my favor, the Corona pandemic hits the country. Our Prime Minister announces lockdown. All the gyms and yoga studios were forced to shut. So was mine. Sunrise was no longer something to look forward to. There was a huge void now.

Worldwide lockdown was something new to all of us. It did effect everyone and each on us were fighting our own battles. Negative news all over, making the days hard. Sitting at home not having to move around is not something which our body is used to. There were days of peace, tranquility, joy, pleasure and ecstasy. There were also days filled with turmoil, stress, anxiety, misery, agony and sudden mood swings making you restless. Thats when I started reading a lot of books. Biographies, fiction, fantasy and self help as well. One such self help books I came across was Sadhguru's Inner Engineering. Through every step Sadhguru promotes Yoga and enhances how our Body, Mind and Energy controls our thoughts and emotions in life. It was not just fascinating to read, but it also gave me that much needed extra push.

I couldn't be much happier starting my yoga regime again after a break of over two months. Now, I spend an hour and a half daily with my mat every morning. The sense of calmness attainted is beyond explanation. Yet, Im an amateur and Im not capable enough to say more. I still have a long way to go seeking knowledge and constantly trying to be aware of whatever I do.

That said, all the asanas have benefits of their own, but whenever I come on the mat there are a few poses when seen I start rolling my eyes and there are ones that I absolutely love indulging in. Five of my favorite ones include halasana, chakrasana, dhanurasana, sarvangasana and adho mukha shvanasana as I have portrayed in the image above.

If you are a yoga enthusiast too, let me know in the comments which are your top 5 favorite asanas. If are not, you surely are missing out on this. Do give it a try!

Namaste!