My first memory of yoga is as a 4 year old watching my mother practice. I remember a dark, quiet room filled with grownups on the floor. Hearing the peaceful music, I assumed they were getting ready to take a nap! In spite of not understanding why we were there, I felt a connection to the practice immediately. Even at 4, I knew it was special.
Fast forward to 2002. After buying a house and getting settled in a new town, I joined the local YMCA with the hopes of becoming more physically fit (secretly, I was preparing for my wedding even though my boyfriend hadn't proposed). I checked the class schedule and quickly decided to try a yoga class. It wasn't life changing, but it was calming. The childhood memories of being taken to my Mom's classes came back to me. Something about it drew me back every week. It became the class I couldn't miss no matter what.
We moved to Connecticut in 2009 where I met a new teacher, Liz Wendel, and I promptly fell head over heels in love with yoga. Witnessing the love, peace and gentle strength of this teacher made me want to practice every day. As the mother of young children, I quickly found that spending an hour on my mat in the morning gave me the best perspective to handle the stresses of my day as well as the ability to slow down and truly appreciate the small things. I rediscovered how amazing motherhood is. I became the student that always lingered after class, full of questions. I longed to master the challenging poses. I loved getting my body all twisted up and asking it to be stronger and stronger. I didn't realize it at first, but I loved the serenity of listening to and following my breath. I sat still. I actually liked sitting still! Yoga gave me permission to just be.
Less than 2 years after meeting Liz, I completed a 200 hour teacher training and have not even thought about looking back! I continue to study and attend various workshops and trainings. I firmly believe that yoga has made me a more patient Mom and a more understanding wife, daughter and friend. My hope is to share yoga with everyone. Yoga is everywhere and everyone. It is in my calm breathing as I settle a screaming match between my daughter, it is a gentle smile given to the poor person fighting with the self check-out register in Stop & Shop, it is taking some extra time during a hike to literally smell the wildflowers with my 4 year old.
What has your journey to yoga been?
Fast forward to 2002. After buying a house and getting settled in a new town, I joined the local YMCA with the hopes of becoming more physically fit (secretly, I was preparing for my wedding even though my boyfriend hadn't proposed). I checked the class schedule and quickly decided to try a yoga class. It wasn't life changing, but it was calming. The childhood memories of being taken to my Mom's classes came back to me. Something about it drew me back every week. It became the class I couldn't miss no matter what.
We moved to Connecticut in 2009 where I met a new teacher, Liz Wendel, and I promptly fell head over heels in love with yoga. Witnessing the love, peace and gentle strength of this teacher made me want to practice every day. As the mother of young children, I quickly found that spending an hour on my mat in the morning gave me the best perspective to handle the stresses of my day as well as the ability to slow down and truly appreciate the small things. I rediscovered how amazing motherhood is. I became the student that always lingered after class, full of questions. I longed to master the challenging poses. I loved getting my body all twisted up and asking it to be stronger and stronger. I didn't realize it at first, but I loved the serenity of listening to and following my breath. I sat still. I actually liked sitting still! Yoga gave me permission to just be.
Less than 2 years after meeting Liz, I completed a 200 hour teacher training and have not even thought about looking back! I continue to study and attend various workshops and trainings. I firmly believe that yoga has made me a more patient Mom and a more understanding wife, daughter and friend. My hope is to share yoga with everyone. Yoga is everywhere and everyone. It is in my calm breathing as I settle a screaming match between my daughter, it is a gentle smile given to the poor person fighting with the self check-out register in Stop & Shop, it is taking some extra time during a hike to literally smell the wildflowers with my 4 year old.
What has your journey to yoga been?
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