Yogis connect to something greater than self

link Courtesy photo: Amiee Constantopoulos

Amiee Constantopoulos, a yoga instructor at ENMU, said she knew after her first class yoga was her calling.

STAFF REPORT

Yoga, a practice known for its health benefits, also provides people with the opportunity to connect with something greater than themselves, according to Yoga Instructor Amiee Constantopoulos.

Constantopoulos, who teaches at Eastern New Mexico University, said the simple practice of meditation through which people are able to find their inner peace is what makes yoga spiritual for some.

“Finding inner peace, in turn, benefits every aspect of a person’s life,” she said. “For others, the physical and mental demands of the practice itself are the stepping stones for a spiritual practice if that is the path they choose to take.”

Constantopoulos said the spiritual effects that can come with practicing yoga are personal and unique to each individual.

“A yoga practice can benefit a person physically, mentally and spiritually,” she said. “The reasons you choose to practice greatly affect the benefits you receive, and some people gain more than they ever expected.”

Constantopoulos, who began practicing yoga in 1998 at ENMU, said that because she teaches to a variety of students, she focuses primarily on the physical and mental benefits of yoga.

“Today, people tend to confuse spirituality with religion,” she said. “I promote spirituality through meditation, which allows students of all faiths to join the class without fear of mixing their religious beliefs with their yoga practice.”

Constantopoulos said she does this by allowing the students to practice postures, meditation and chanting while providing a brief history of where they were derived.

“For example, we practice an asana, which is a pose called Natarajasna, which translates to the Lord of the Dancers pose,” she said. “If students want to show their devotion to Nataraja during the practice, they are more than welcome to do so.”

Constantopoulos said for most students though, the pose is just a balancing posture that strengthens the ankles and knees and promotes symmetry throughout the body.

“Everything you practice and how you choose to do so really depends on the student,” she said.

Constantopoulos said overall, yoga allows each individual to learn values such as mindfulness, compassion, forgiveness and tolerance, which promote spiritual and mental growth.

“Through the practice of yoga, we create an overall sense of well-being and self-knowledge,” she said. “This is turn helps us connect or discover our purpose in life, which allows us to lead more fulfilling lives.”