Had a bad day? There’s a yoga pose for that. Had a rough past few months? There are yoga poses for that too. With the modern yet holistic East-meets-West style of yoga that is sweeping Western culture, it’s no wonder why one of the most common reasons for starting a yoga practice includes “it was cheaper than therapy.” Yoga can be helpful during big life transitions including difficult breakups. Here are three reasons why taking yoga classes can help heal a broken heart:
Focus and clarity
When times are tough, it can feel impossible to escape negativity. In yoga class, you give your mind something new to chew on – breathing through postures. Instructors repeatedly remind you to focus on your breathing, returning your attention to the present moment. This simple change in focus has benefits beyond the mat including calmness and clarity.
Self acceptance
Let’s be honest, no matter who takes ownership of the breakup, it’s common to obsess about how things could have been done differently. In yoga, we move slowly through poses to create space to notice and observe ourselves. With practice and dedication, yoga helps us shift the focus away from ruminating over our shortcomings and towards accepting ourselves – a huge step not only for the broken-hearted but for anyone wishing to develop a growth mindset.
Supportive community
Going through a tough time can feel draining. When your world is turned upside down, even simple self care can become a chore. Yoga studios are known to be safe places to for healing and self discovery. Having the support of people around you in a yoga studio, even if they’re strangers at the start, can cultivate a sense of belonging and motivation.
So what are you waiting for? The next time you’re feeling down in the dumps, do yourself a favor and book a few yoga classes. With time, your yoga practice can help you start to build up your most important relationship – the one with yourself.
