Late Night Thought: Yoga Has Changed Me

At this point, I can finally say that yoga changed my life.

It has been five months since I went Zen and discovered my inner strength and peace through yoga.

Truth be told, I don't own a yoga mat, or a pair of yoga pants. I'm not close to performing vinsaya poses (I practice Hatha) and there are days, weeks even, when I'm on a huge slump and I intentionally miss my routines.

But though I may be inconstant with my practice, I know that it has changed me and that's the most interesting aspect of yoga that made me fall in love with it more than ever.

When I first started I was a much different person; I was depressed, overweight, unhappy and dissatisfied with life. Yoga, I knew then, does not aim to make anyone lose weight. A series of poses and stretching would not make me lose weight unlike cardio and strength training. So instead, I approached yoga as an avenue to improve my strength. I didn't think that it will change my life and help me lose weight.

Yoga may not burn my calories for me but it still has helped me lose pounds. Yoga teaches mindfulness. Yoga teaches loving one's body. During practice, I try with might to bring my attention inward, and I notice a shift in my perspective about how I treat my body and what I put into it as fuel. It is truly amazing what a consistent yoga practice can do with your mindfulness of nourishing your body. I have found that the more I practice yoga, the more empowered I feel to listen to and take care of my body; eating when I’m hungry, staying hydrated, steering away from bad food and health choices and getting enough rest. That right there has helped me lose weight, almost subconsciously.

In the morning, you'll find me on the floor doing awkward poses, drenched in sweat. And in between breaths, I gradually shifted from that unhappy lass to a smiling-faced girl that's more confident than ever.

Now, all of my clothes are now too big for me. My friends also noticed that I've lost weight. I feel alive. I thank yoga for my renewed and more positive outlook in life. I will do it for as long as I am able to hold myself in an upright position.