Yoga and Pilates have helped me create huge changes in my own life. Not the least of which was learning to consciously relax!
Thanks to the myriad benefits of a regular mind-body practice, many of my fellow yoga students have changed their regular visits to chiropractors, therapists and masseuses to an “as needed” basis.
I have to admit, I'm guilty of the same thing.
About a year ago, I had a knot in my back that no amount of stretching seemed to work out, so I made my way into the neighborhood massage school for a student-clinician to work out the kinks manually.
With the exception of those surrounding a particular thoracic vertebra, she pronounced the rest of my muscles “Smooth sailing”.
About midway through my decadent 60 minutes, she paused. “You haven’t had a massage in a year? ... If you don’t mind me asking, what on earth do you do to stay so relaxed?”
Following my muffled, slurring reply through the little face-hole on the table, I heard her whisper behind me, “Note to self: take up yoga!”
