Prioritizing you and your health in 2025; a Q&A with Om Yoga owner Amanda Henson

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Submitted by Amanda Henson-- You may have heard about the mental and physical benefits of yoga and have been wanting to give it a try, or you may have a complete misperception of what yoga is and therefore haven’t considered it before. So, let’s talk about what yoga is and is not, and how it can impact your overall mental health and wellbeing this new year.

Q&A

What makes yoga different from other forms of exercise? The biggest difference is the breath. The breath is arguably more important than the poses in any class. Stop for 30 seconds and breathe deeply. Breathe in to the count of 5 and breathe out to the count of 5. Do this just 3 times and notice how you feel – More calm? More at ease? That was just 30 seconds. The effects of different breathing techniques, combined with the physical postures of yoga, leaves you feeling calm yet energized, balanced and at peace.

Is yoga just stretching? No. Yoga is a practice of bringing harmony to the mind and body. One thing I didn’t really understand when I started yoga was that the physical practice of yoga can look very different each time AND you get to choose the style you need and want each time, so it’s not a “one size fits all” type of practice. If you want to slow down, or you’re fighting an injury, or may be pregnant? You may want to choose a deep stretch, slow flow, gentle or flow to stretch class. If you want something a bit more, crave sweat, and really want to move? You may want to choose power, hot, or even rocket. But not every class needs to be power or needs to be a deep stretch, and that’s the beauty of it! At Om Yoga, we offer a variety of styles so you can pick and choose each time.

Do I need to be able to touch my toes? Absolutely not! Flexibility is one of the physical benefits of a regular yoga practice, but no one is expected to walk into the room with this flexibility, and there are so many ways to modify each pose for your body. A lot of people will not try new things due to intimidation. At Om Yoga, we will greet you by name, welcome you in, and once you are set up on your mat – no one cares what you look like! Yes, we care about you, but your mat is your own little island and yoga is not a competitive sport. Each person is encouraged to only focus on themselves – how they feel, not how they look.

What are the physical benefits of yoga? Yoga can assist with weight loss, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve respiratory, circulatory, immune, bone and joint health. It can also help with chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches, sciatica and more. But the 3 benefits I always highlight are flexibility, balance, and strength. You will get more flexible over time (and the key is “over time”). Your balance will be challenged but will improve. You will get stronger!  Nothing happens overnight, it all takes practice, but you will see results with a consistent practice, which varies per individual.

What other benefits does yoga bring? Outside of the physical, there are so many benefits mentally, energetically, and even spiritually. Stress relief, sleep improvement, reduction of anxiety and depression, menopause relief, and an increase in mindfulness. Yoga connects you to community, promotes self-care, and allows you to get out of your head, away from life’s daily stresses, and connected to your soul.

What is one last thing to highlight about yoga? We call it “practice” because it’s not a performance. Each time you show up to your mat is different- How much sleep did you get? Did you eat breakfast? Are you stressed out? Are you battling an injury? So much goes into how you feel each day and in yoga, you will get to know your own body very well. You may even begin to adapt your lifestyle to complement your yoga practice, which will lead to a healthier YOU!

About Om Yoga:

Om Yoga is Fort Mill’s hometown yoga studio, located in the heart of Baxter Village (above Cupcrazed). Since 2011, Om Yoga has offered a variety of class styles to suit the needs of the community. It’s an incredibly special place to practice, as it is filled with experienced yoga teachers with a passion for sharing the tranquility, sense of community, and joy that yoga brings. Om Yoga has a wide variety of classes to suit beginners and advanced students. Class styles include Power, Hot, Gentle, Slow Flow, Deep Stretch, Flow to Stretch, Rocket, Kids (ages 4-8), and a variety of workshops every month! Classes start as early as 6am and as late as 7:20pm. Visit omyogasc.com and shop local to support this family-owned small business right here in Baxter Village.

About the Author:

Amanda Henson is the owner of Om Yoga. She started practicing yoga in 2012 but her passion for yoga started in prenatal yoga classes in 2015. She was able to feel and see the effects of yoga during a time of change and wanted to experience those effects post pregnancy too. She got her 200-hour teaching certificate in 2018, started teaching at Om Yoga and at her corporate office, and bought Om Yoga studio in 2022.