Hi! Welcome to my yoga blog! I am glad you stopped by and am excited to share my journey and experiences with you. This blog is an exploration of the history, philosophy, practice and lifestyle of yoga. Whether you are new to yoga or a long-time practitioner or teacher, I hope you find this space helpful, informative and inspiring. I would love to hear from you so please leave me your comments and join me as we go on this excellent adventure together!
My first yoga class…
I took my first yoga class over two decades ago on a trip to India. I was twenty-five, a new mom and a bit overwhelmed. Yoga sounded like a great way to spend some quality time by myself. But I had no idea what to expect.
My yoga teacher happened to also be the town’s only doctor. Our first class was an introduction to yoga. He explained yoga was a step ladder and each step had purpose. Practicing the postures was just one small step and while the poses had numerous health benefits, the intention of asana was to prepare the student for meditation. He ended our first session by sharing this – through meditation, the student would realize one’s true nature or Self and unite with the Divine to experience the blissful state of pure freedom. While I heard his words, I didn’t understand the depth of their meaning. It wouldn’t be until I entered my mid-forties that my teacher’s words would start making sense.
Practice began at five o’clock each morning, on a roof-top overlooking the mountains. There were no yoga mats. Instead, we laid out traditional yoga dhurries or rugs and began our practice as the sun rose, offering our salutations. We moved in and out of poses wrapping up class with pranayama and finally, a group meditation. I’d guess our practice lasted about two hours but when I would roll up my dhurrie at the end, I remember having this feeling, one of joy, contentment and peace.
The student becomes the teacher…
Fast forward twenty-five years and I am still a student but also a yoga teacher. I understand what a privilege it is to share yoga with others. The irony is, I too share the same message with my students as my first teacher shared with me. Yoga is much more than the poses we practice. It is just one step on the ladder or one limb of a tree.
We lead busy lives and finding time on the mat or to meditate can sometimes be challenging. But when we do, the practice teaches us some important lessons, to move thoughtfully, be present and find stillness without judgement of ourselves or others. Perhaps this is an over-simplification but this has been my experience.
What I hope to share with you is the beauty of yoga thru an experiential lens. Yoga has been called many things including a philosophy, a science, a religion but in my humble opinion, I believe yoga is a path leading us on a journey of Self-discovery. This path has many routes but they all lead to the same destination.
I invite you to join me on this journey and explore the vast landscape of yoga. I encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences. The spirit of this space is one of non-judgement, respecting the opinion of others and enjoying a healthy dialogue that serves our personal evolution.
