National Yoga Month: Five reasons to fall in love with yoga 

Yoga is my favorite thing on earth because it connects the circle of life. Regardless of age, politics or culture, everyone becomes a more sound person if they practice yoga. September is National Yoga Month, and I’d like to share with you the top five reasons I love yoga. I hope these reasons will inspire your yoga practice this September! 

1. Yoga’s not what it looks like; yoga’s how it feels. We spend our whole lives stressing about how we size up to others; well… not in yoga! Each second while practicing yoga, you learn to trust your heart and to be your most genuine self. Your empowered smile will be contagious!

2. Yoga has no dogma. Yoga has one principle: breathe together as a group. All humans breathe alike, and if we learn to respect that fact, our world will be a much more inclusive and supportive place!

3. Yoga spans the whole life cycle, from prenatal yoga to yoga for seniors. Yoga is ageless because breath is life for all of us. So, no matter your stage in life, know that yoga will help you live a healthier and more fruitful life.

4. Yoga is an affirmative fork in the road. Each time you choose to practice yoga, you form a decisive habit to accept all affirmative choices. Soon enough, when you come to the fork in the road and must choose between “Yes, I can!” or “Umm… no, I can’t,” yoga will teach you to accept the challenge and to be adventurous!

5. Yoga is to be shared. Just as a friend invited me to my first yoga class, I invite you to find your own yoga group nearby. By breathing together with your local yoga group, you will feel your life-force connect to the full circle of life.

Charlie Higgins is affectionately known at many Holiday Retirement communities as "Yoga Charlie." Charlie is a graduate of Reed College and a certified yoga instructor. Charlie specializes in yoga for retirees, and he teaches at a number of Holiday communities in the Portland, Oregon, area. His classes focus on range of motion, peripheral awareness, balance and breathing. As a guest author for Holiday Retirement, Charlie is excited to share fun, safe and easy tips for senior health and wellness. Explore more exercises by Charlie or visit his website: www.samdhyayoga.com.