Yoga has been known for many years to assist us in stress relief, flexibility, and focus. During my Savasana (also known as final relaxation pose), I witnessed a flood of awareness that yoga has taught me. Here are four life skills I have personally learned through my 20 plus years of practicing yoga.
Yoga Teaches Malleability
Yoga has taught me how to listen, and how to become malleable when it is necessary. One of my dream life goals is to become a professional actor. In 2015, I had my first opportunity to work as a background actor in an HBO series called Vice Principals. I witnessed through this opportunity that having the ability to listen, move quickly, and take instruction from others with ease allows for a positive outcome. Those working around me who were unable to break free from the need to control — and become malleable — offered a difficult experience for those that worked with them. Scenes would not film effortlessly and frustration would begin to flood through them.
While practicing yoga, we let go of attempting to control our experiences by trusting our instructor as they lead us through the practice. We move with intention by their guidance, and in turn, we are led to a restful state of being with Savasana. We completely surrender to the process and go with the flow.
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Yoga Creates Stamina
I witnessed the long hours, repetitive nature, and spontaneous occurrences of film with my most recent background opportunity on HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones. Yoga has given me the stamina it takes to be alert, active, and calm in these moments of spontaneity within filming. As an actor, call times come at a moment’s notice, scenes may be or may not be filmed, and sitting or standing may be completed for hours at a time. One has to be ready so they do not have to get ready. Yoga helps this through building stamina within the body through a weekly practice. One does not have to practice everyday to feel the benefits, either! You can practice three times a week and still receive the benefits yoga offers, such as stamina and strength.
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Yoga Teaches Us To Remain Calm Under Pressure
When the pressure of being perfect or getting “it” right shows up — whether it is through acting, playing a sport, representing a business, or taking a test — yoga helps us remain calm. While practicing yoga, we breathe intentionally throughout the practice. This breath helps us calm down and with it we have created a tool to instantly access when life pressures us.
If we go through life without the tools of alleviating pressure through breath, we are almost guaranteed to live life as if we have an anvil upon our shoulders, everyday. Imagine the last time you felt frustration, what was your first reaction? If it was a deep breath, you may be on a similar path as a long practicing yogi, if you punched a wall, perhaps it is time I invite you to begin the similar path as the yogi which you may easily begin now in my Effervescence YogaSpa On Demand Wellness Studio. Enjoy your first 14 days as a gift from me to you!
Yoga Creates A Quiet Space For Clarity
During my time of contemplating how to follow my ultimate dream of becoming a professional actor, I would often experience doubt flooding my mind. I would research how to sign up for agencies and then bail out before pressing send. I went to a local talent agency, and then at the last minute of making a commitment, I second guessed myself and walked out. I was not clear on the process of what it may take to turn my dream into a reality. Once I began committing to my yoga practice, I began to have the moments of space for clarity.
Through this I actually created a moment in my life that led me straight to the location where my first background acting gig would be created. In 2014 I taught yoga at Charlestown Landing through an event called Yoga Under The Oaks and in an effort to attend the class as a student, I drove to what I thought was the scheduled class. Turns out, it was taken over that day by a film crew. At this moment I had been enjoying my weekly yoga practice and when we pulled up to what we thought was the class, two PA’s politely said, “no yoga today”. When I asked why not, they shared details of the filming which intrigued me to then not doubt yet instead ask, “are they looking for extras, how can I do this, too?” I received the answer with joy and took the next step to begin my path as a background actor – one step closer to my ultimate dream profession. Yes, yoga builds flexibility and creates stress relief within our physical bodies and it also offers us so much more. Begin your practice today as it is always available to you. I wonder what life skills yoga will help you experience once you begin.
BRITTNEY HILLER
Brittney is the creator of the Effervescence Yoga brand and the owner of Effervescense Yoga Spa in the beautiful resort town of Beaufort, South Carolina. Brittney is passionate about leading a life full of laughter and joy! That is why she is also a certificated laughter yoga teacher & laughter yoga leadership trainer. She is also a Follow-Your-Passion Coach and the producer and head talent of Flowcountry, the Lowcountry’s only streaming yoga show!
