Atha Yoga Anushasanam

Now, after having done prior preparation through life and other practices, the study and practice of yoga begins.

Yoga Sutras 1.1
I was turning 35. I felt I needed to remind myself that there was more out there. I was bored, I was unhealthy, and I was stressed out. I determined to do one new thing each week to remind myself that there are things yet to experience.

About a month into my experience I stepped into a hot yoga class. Immediately, once we sat in the dim room, engaging our breath, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I hadn’t performed a yoga posture yet. I didn’t have to. I was in love.

Within six months I enrolled in yoga teacher training. I teach two classes a week. I practice at home everyday, even if it’s just a mini workout on the rug to work out the kinks. My practice is a practice of moving meditation and breath. I believe that we are more than our physical bodies, and that there is more to us and life than what we can see and quantify. I meditate. I pray without ceasing. I’m the strongest and healthiest I’ve been in my life. My practice is growing. I float out of class, feeling strong, and centered.

I still have challenges, but rather than constantly seek to change my circumstances and others around me, I work to change myself. To control my ego, to be humble, to be aware of my thoughts and words and how they affect myself and others around me. This is important to me. We all crave authentic connection but connection is difficult unless one can truly be open. This is counter to what we are taught in society today- where image is everything and even our food is not real, it just looks and tastes like food. But our bodies know the difference.

So it is with us, our souls know when things are right, and real and true, just as they vibrate when things are not right. The practice and study of yoga helps to bring that knowledge to light. It is not just about physical exercise, the practice of yoga is a journey into self. And everyday there is something to discover. The knowing is one that occurs subtly. With practice. And now, we begin. Join me.