Recently I took a class in Gentle Flow Yoga. Although I have been taking yoga classes for 7 years, I had never taken a Gentle Flow class.
I was glad I did.
I decided to try this form of yoga because of a patient with a chronic health condition his whole life. We discussed this in therapy and the beneficial effects it has on his life. He began doing Gentle Flow and other yoga practices at an early age and has been able to decrease his symptoms and live a fairly normal life.
Once I took this class, I fully understood what he has been telling me.
Gentle Flow consists of a series of postures. However, it is gentler, lighter paced, and it moves from one posture to another. These movements are coordinated with breathing which allows one to be more present in the posture.
This is not forceful yoga. Rather, poses gradually flow into deeper aspects of stretching which does relieve stress and pain.
These postures also assist one in gaining a greater understanding of different parts of the body, how they operate alone and together, and how they contribute to stability.
While doing the different postures, I found myself focusing on my breathing and consequently, relaxing. I also became more aware of different parts of my body which I usually do not pay attention to.
I can also see how Gentle Flow can assist individuals recover from injuries, reduce chronic pain, help in managing stress and weight, and generally form a deeper connection with one’s body. This ultimately leads to inner strength, confidence, and a positive mental attitude.
As my patient has said, you are never too old to start a yoga class. However, it is important to find one that matches your expectations.
I plan to continue my weekly Yin Yoga classes which I enjoy greatly and will periodically include Gentle Flow.
What about you? Let me know at [email protected].
