Boy was I wrong! (massage therapy and yoga working together)

I have been practicing since 2007 and massaging since 2005. In Massage Therapy College we learn a lot about anatomy, kinesiology (how the body moves), and exercise. I remember one time during our Therapeutic Exercise class we had a yoga instructor come in to talk to us about the benefits of yoga and how it could help a lot of our patients suffering from a wide range of complaints. Anything from anxiety to back/neck pain to foot/ankle problems. The instructor focused on the importance of breathing correctly, pelvic alignment and moving with purpose. The whole class went through a sample of poses. At the time I thought "This is ridiculous! I know how to breathe, I know how to stretch. How is this supposed to help anyone?" I could see how it might help someone who was completely out of shape. The yoga we did was gentle and easy but would be difficult for someone who really hadn't looked after themselves. They spoke about yoga for runners and other athletes. Again, "this is silly.” Although I enjoyed doing the yoga I dint really see how it could help me or my patients.
As school went on I learned more about core strengthening, breathing and self relaxation. I started to see how yoga maybe helpful to some.
When I graduated in '07 and passed the final exam I couldn't have been happier! BUT for some reason I felt more stressed out than I had ever been in my whole life! Exams were done, no more school stress, no more long commutes, no more studying all night and working every weekend but more stress? That didn't make sense to me!
I saw my doctor and he suggested medication......ah no thanks.....not until I try other things first......hmmmm what did I learn in school???? On my way home a saw a sign that I had never seen before. It was for a yoga studio. "Why not?" I thought, "they say it works...".
I signed up for a class one day a week for 8 weeks. I thought I'd give it a bit of a go and see if it helped. To my shock and amazement it did! The class was slow moving but focused on breathing, light stretching and core strengthening. Nothing was intense or overwhelming. I was pretty active when I started yoga but I still found the easy/beginners class helpful! I felt relaxed after the classes and that feeling seemed to last. I could slowly feel my body getting stronger. Massaging became easier. I wasn't as tired after wards. As an added bonus my neck and back pain decreased!
After the 8 weeks I felt great. Decrease in stress and pain. Increase in strength and flexibility. I couldn't ask for more! But I did get more....I soon realized that all the home care I give my patients (all the stretching, strengthening, relaxation techniques) are all modified yoga poses!
Soon I started treating out of that yoga studio. I started sending some of my patients who lacked the motivation to exercise on their own to yoga classes. I started to notice that these patients had less back pain, less neck pain and less stress. Their pelvis wasn't always in a twisted position and their shoulders weren't creeping up to their ears! Incredible!
Now I am a HUGE yoga fan! There are so many types to choose from that you could never get bored! There are classes for beginners, athletes and everyone in between. I do yoga on my own, take a couple classes and give it to some patients as home care.
I know that yoga isn't for everyone. But the basic idea behind it applies no matter who you are!