Yogis Inspiring Oneness Month

April sees the start of 'Yogis Inspiring Oneness Month' - a month during which yogis will be sharing their insights, inspiring others to have a go - try a different class, learn a little more about yoga, delve deeper and may be discover something new...

As a runner, currently marathon training, not only do the physical aspects of yoga have an important part to play in my life right now - but so do pranayama and meditation. The awareness that asana practice brings has helped me to prevent 'twinges' from becoming serious injuries. Breathing exercises aid relaxation and meditation enhances concentration. Overall, yoga has helped me to become a more fully conscious runner, and person.

Today, quite aptly, the Yoga Journal wrote about the impacts of yoga:

"Our asana practice can have a positive impact on our lives because it constantly asks us to become more sensitive, more conscious, and more aware of our bodies, minds, feelings, and emotions. As our sensitivity increases, life becomes more rich and enjoyable because we can taste the unique flavor of each individual moment. More important, we also become more aware of what moves us toward our dharma, or life path, and what takes us away from it. This awareness makes us clearer and more peaceful, more able to elegantly handle life's endless dilemmas without feeling overwhelmed or fearful. As a result, we become more effective in all of our actions, and our presence begins to inspire and bring out the best in people around us.

The awareness that we develop on the yoga mat, though seemingly small, affects all that is. As we become more aware in our yoga practice and in our lives, as we move away from force and violence and toward sensitivity, feeling, and awareness, we change our individual consciousness and actions. In turn, these changes influence the consciousness and the actions of everyone we meet. Slowly, we shift the direction the world is taking."

The great thing about YIOM is that it plays a part in exactly what is stated above: awareness effecting individual actions. By sharing the experience of this, we can also learn.

Throughout the rest of April, I aim to write about and share the awareness that yoga and running bring as I make final preparations for, run, and recover from the London marathon.

YIOM was created by Lorin, The VeganAsana, whose blog has a full description of what it is all about and how to become involved.