Have you ever come across those people that are insanely confident, well-toned, and relaxed like ALL. THE. TIME? Those people that take life as it comes, remain at peace, and look amazeballs (with the clearest skin and tightest ass) while they do it? See examples above if you need a visual. This is why I want to be a yogi.

I was first introduced to the practice of yoga about 7 years ago when I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Since then, I’ve experimented with several types of yoga: Hatha, Kundalini, Iyengar. I’ve been on a quest on and off (though honestly more like off) for years to really get to that place of centered-ness, to build strength, to tone my body, and to take the time to just focus and be utterly and completely present.

If you must know, I’m very aware of my issues weakness slight character flaw with focusing and admit that I’m borderline A.D.D. My mind is constantly racing with things that I have to do; things that are coming up; things that are upsetting me; things that I wish I could change;  things that I desperately want to do (like be on a plane to Italy right now and not look back);  things that have already happened that I can’t change; and things that likely will never happen, but I’m too paranoid to relax because the moment I do, everything will fall apart. Exhausting, huh? Tell me about it. I wouldn’t classify myself as neurotic, so much as needing to learn how to better balance, emotionally and physically.

Enter yoga.

I returned to practice last month after nearly a year off. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a stand on your head yogi, but I do love that whenever life gets complicated and you need to take a step back, that you can take a yoga class and be in a like minded space with others – it just helps. I like being around people that give a damn about their health, their bodies, their minds, and want to take the time to make the most of life and the vessel that carries them through it. It’s contagious! Simply put, I like that I’m doing something good for myself.

I’m turning the big 3-0 in a few months and I’ve decided it’s time to grow up. And when I say grow up, it’s time to find a more mature way of dealing with life and improving that imbalance. Not that what I’m currently doing is immature, but it certainly isn’t serving me.

I came across this article from Self.com that I hope motivates you (as it did me) to find that balance in however it may be lacking in your life for 7 exciting reasons.