My Grandma, my inspiration

My Grandma, my inspiration.

 

I remember when I was a child and carefully listen to her anecdotes. She had to travel far away from home, and the fact that she was just 19 years old did not stop her from becoming her dreams true. Rio Negro had been the destination, an icy place, not only for its weather but also for its distance from the province she belonged to. A rural school had been waiting for her services, and a group of students were eager to take in what she had to teach. Not until she was there did she realize that it was not going to be an easy task. The building conditions of the school were the worst, students were in impoverish conditions, and the government's help was absent, as usual. Anyway, her strong-willed personality made her persevere, and she continued on with the task she was entrusted. Days passed by between the lessons and lunch meetings. The area used to be one of the poorest of the province, and parents did not have the means to feed their children at home. So being at school was for them the opportunity to get a decent food during the day. She was not only a teacher, but also a mother for her students. Tears flowed down her face whenever the issue came up during a conversation.

To such an extent did the passion for her profession amaze me that I decided to become a teacher as well. Being in front of a class, educating children and adolescents is the most generous profession in this world. My grandma, Zulma Hoyo dedicated her life to this bountiful vocation with love and commitment. A life full of ups and downs did not prevent her from educating many generations of children. She is the person I want to be, the teacher I wish to become and she owns the spirit I strongly desire to reach.





This blog is dedicated to my Grandma, Zulma. I thank God for still having you by my side , for the endless lessons you have taught me, and for allowing me to enjoy the same life you once lived. I love you so much my dear Grandma.

 

The benefits of Yoga

YOGA: The ART of living in harmony. 

Even though yoga is widely known as a physical activity, just the ones who practise it know about its benefits at spiritual and mental levels. This millenary art is nowadays practised by an increased number of people. It consists of a series of postures, breathing techniques and meditation exercises which are aimed at uniting the body, mind and soul. The web site "The Art of Living" claims that by practising yoga people reach a state of harmony which helps them go through life calmer, happier and feeling fulfilled.  

The Art of Living talks about the benefits people get from practicing yoga. As there are many of them, I decided to include the ones I consider more interesting and worth mentioning. 

1- Weight loss: as many people seriously concern themselves with their bodies, it is important to mention the fact that by practicing yoga they can get to the weight they have always craved for. The Art of living suggests that the regular practice of yoga makes people be more sensitive about the kind of food their bodies ask for and when they need it. In this way, people have greater control over what they eat and drink and consequently they may loss weight. 

2- Stress relief: for those who live a stressful life it is a good idea to practise yoga just few minutes per day so as to get rid of stress. There are yoga postures and meditation exercises that help relax the mind and consequently remove stress. 

3- Inner peace: nowadays people are worried about their jobs, money issues, the economy, social and family pressures, among other problems, and they have no time to reflect upon their interior state. A few minutes of yoga can help people connect with their inner selves and feel at ease.

4. Improved immunity: although illnesses and diseases are directly connected to the physical state of the body, they are also connected to the state of the spirit and mind. The practice of yoga strengthen body muscles, breathing techniques and meditation release stress and consequently the body's immune system improves its proper functioning.  

5. Increased energy: people get exhausted after a long day of responsibilities. This site suggests that some meditation exercises and breathing techniques make people renew their energy and help them feel vigorous and fresh at the end of the day. Yoga offers the most complete set of exercises to reach to a harmonious state.

It is worth mentioning the fact that yoga can be practised by people from all ages. The different postures and techniques are adjusted to the age of the person and also to his/her needs. There is yoga for pregnant women, old people and even for teenagers and kids. The importance of yoga lies in the fact that it can become the solution to many problems and it is also a way out to find calmness and a healthy lifestyle. 

Sources: 

• http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga
• http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/yoga-benefits
• http://life.gaiam.com/article/benefits-yoga