You are as young as your spine is flexible….

       This is an ages old yogic philosophy. Some might say that yoga is the fountain of youth. You may have heard about the mind-body connection of yoga. There are many benefits of yoga for the mind. It improves well being, helps with anxiety and stress, improves memory and also helps prevent future  mental health conditions. I know from personal experience that it Makes. You. Better. Something Happens. It changes you on a cellular level. You may want to start yoga to get that tight bootie (and trust me you will) but one day you forget about all that  and realize that you are different. You make better decisions, you treat yourself better and you even start to make better food choices. Everything. But what about longevity? When you’re 80 years old do you want to look and feel 90 or do you want to look and feel 60? You have to keep moving your body. You have to keep your spine flexible.  You want  your muscles to stay elongated and pliable.  Stiff muscles lead to bad posture.  A strong core is also important to prevent injuries of the spine. Stretching the muscles along spine and the body is imperative. Back bends are great for this as well as twists. Twists are also great for wringing out the internal organs like the intestines and colon. This helps to detoxify the body by helping to eliminate waste. A healthy digestive system is also key to optimum health. Yoga also helps to keep your bones in alignment. Its never too late or early to start a yoga practice. Just start, trust me on this one. Yoga can be intimidating to the beginner so having a home practice is a great start. I have had a subscription to a yoga website called Yogatoday.com for many years. They have several different instructors as well as different class levels to choose from. Going to a class with a hands on teacher is also essential for proper adjustment.There are also so many inspiring yogis on social media to help nudge you along. I suggest following @the_southern_yogi, @jessicaolie and @bananablondie108 on Instagram. Remember, all you have to do is start. Its called yoga practice, not yoga perfect. Just get on your mat and keep showing up. It will change your life. “Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better the practice, the brighter the flame.” B.K.S Iyengar.