We all have our reasons in why we do Yoga. What initially brought us to our mat can be a doctor’s order, a Groupon deal or even a friend. Regardless of how we find ourselves in the class room we continue to practice due to reasons of our own. I think it is important to know why we are doing something, since making it a conscious thought will help trigger the necessary alignment of our mind, body and spirit. I have students who tell me they come to class to de-stress, but yet I see them stress over not being able to do a certain pose, or feeling intimated by comparing their own practice with the neighboring Yogis. “Why do you do Yoga” seems like a simple question, but it goes deep into who we are and what our priorities are. Our Yoga practice will begin to transform once we align our actions with our intentions. The answer to the question “why do you do Yoga” is pretty simple for me. I looked for answers when I discovered I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I tried chemo drugs, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, surgery, cortisone and many more. I found Yoga to be one medicine with absolutely no negative side effects and many positive benefits, and I like that a lot. I try not to go to my mat for a certain pose or to look a certain way, I strive to go to my mat for good overall health. So what brings you to your mat?