HOW YOGA SAVED MY LIFE

“I always think I look better after a yoga class. It’s the same as a massage. We look so amazing after a massage because we’re relaxed.” Andie MacDowell

Five years ago I took yoga teacher training from a traditionally trained yoga teacher, she was Chinese. She was just under five feet tall, while I loom at about five foot ten. Our class was a very through alinement based course. It pushed me to the limits. I had to focus and I have a hard time with focus. It was a small class of five women students.

At the beginning of our two hundred hour journey our well-studied yoga teacher asked us why we were taking the class. I simple said “because yoga will save my life”. Not meaning it in the dramatic way it reads but I knew on a soul level that this is what I had to learn, I had to do, and most importantly, I had to finish.

I was not striving towards some deep spiritual enlightened transformation. I did not imagine myself sitting on top of a mountain in a yoga pose understanding all there is to understand, no way. I could not picture myself as a yoga teacher, even though that was the class I was taking. I was wanting a deeper understanding of the practice of yoga. This type of logic is not foreign to me as I dive into things that interest me.

I was a bit of a spit fire in the class. I can find humor in most things and brought much laughter to our little group of yogis. I must say I learned far beyond what I thought I would. I learned how real yoga is taught and consideration for each student and class is paramount. Therefore, being flexible means way more than a killer downward dog. You may need to change your entire lesson-plan due to one student’s needs. I learned how to stand on my hands I thought that was an impossible task. Taught correctly it is a doable feat! I learned I could see this through to the end. I learned how soulful it is to take others into consideration. Their aches and pains, there injuries, and limited belief systems can factor in. I was blessed to take my ninety-year-old dad to chair yoga. It was amazing how it improved his flexibility as he golfed his best game in ten years after his yoga class.

At the end of the day, and the end of our training, I came bubbling to the surface. I did my yoga final on “Yoga for Better Sex”. I thought this was a slightly shocking, cheeky idea, however I came to find out yoga can be used for sexual healing from those who have been sadly traumatized.

I kept my class on a more surface level. My yoga class for “better sex” consisted of helping the students open up their heart charka, open up their hip flexors, feel good about their body, as their body is, and most importantly be present with your body in thoughts, oh lastly your breath. Breathing can change much of what is going on and alter your heart rate. I was pleased with my final, I believe sex is a vital part of our lives and should be sacred and honored. Not ignored because it might feel awkward, but that’s just my belief. No judgments on others belief, and no judgments on mine, wow, now that sounds yogi!

My Mantra: “I am grateful I could further my study of yoga”