Root to Rise: The Yoga principle that inspires our retreat
I’m overweight. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It affects everyone differently and I struggle with hormone imbalance which leads to issues with metabolism and reproductive health. Along my journey of learning how to care for my body with a disorder, I’ve learned many things. My focus today is about my experience with yoga.
I joined a gym for the first time in 2014. Because I was new to this fitness world, I tried everything once. I needed a baseline. I discovered dance heavy classes make me uncomfortable, yoga and spin classes leave me feeling energized, and lifting weights makes me feel powerful. I wanted more yoga though so I joined my first studio in 2016. I have been hooked ever since.
Yoga meets me where I am every single time I put my feet on my mat.
I’ve done yoga thin and overweight and pregnant. I’ve done yoga through seasons of joy and grief. I’ve done yoga in studios, under the blue sky, in a canyon, and my bedroom. I can do it when I’m stiff and when I’m flexible. When I’m energized and when I’m exhausted. Yoga meets me where I am every single time I put my feet on my mat.
We set ourselves up for success when we lay down a strong base and then build upon it.
There is a yoga principle called “Root to Rise”. Essentially it is the idea that one must build a solid foundation so that the fullest expression of the asana (yoga pose) can be acheived. Going straight into tree pose is a sure fire way to invite the wobbles and fall out of the pose.
The thing about “root to rise” is that is applies to so much more than just our body moving into a shape. We must build strong foundations in our relationships so that they can survive the highs and lows of life. We must first learn foundational skills before exploring the more complex. We set ourselves up for success when we lay down a strong base and then build upon it.
When we step onto a yoga mat and practice root to rise through the asanas (yoga poses), we are training our brains too. The repetition of the practice helps it become part of your psyche so that you can easily apply the principle to other situations in your life.
Are you ready to practice “root to rise”? We have an entire 4 day women’s retreat where everything is curated around this theme. The menu and workshops, the activities and pampering, surrounded by nature and opportunities to rest are going to set you up for success to practice “root to rise” in multiple aspects of your wellbeing.
