What sparked this journey?

I was looking for an exercise routine that wasn't just going to the gym for an hour, sweating my ass off and then it was over. I wanted a exercise routine that could be more relaxing but still served my needs for working out my body.

Cue Yoga...

On my search for a new kind of work out I remembered the one yoga class I took way back when I was probably still in high school. A friend had asked me to take the class with her at the local YMCA. At first I was a bit apprehensive about it. The impression I had about yoga up to that point was that it was an out there, religious type of thing. I didn't even think it could be an actual work out. BOY was I wrong.

I was pleasantly surprised. I walked out of the class feeling so rejuvenated, relaxed and I even broke a sweat. My perspective of yoga had been changed. However, whether it was youth and the not committing to anything mindset, I never went back! Currently kicking my younger self in the ass for that one. Still you live & learn from anything & everything.

Fast forward to now...Yoga Again...?

The year is 2018 and it is the year I turned 30! Woot woot! I wasn't the typical scared person to turn 30 but like most it jump started thoughts about what I've been doing with my life up to this point. In the year or so leading up to my birthday and I was struggling a lot emotionally, mentally, spiritually etc. I eventually started seeing a therapist when I started having overwhelming anxiety at work, I felt depressed and it also started causing strain in my relationship. My therapist helped me dig through the emotions I was feeling to find what was really bothering me. It was ME! I broke down and realized I really didn't love or even like myself. On top of that I felt stuck at my job. I felt unfulfilled and discontent but it all trickled back to not really knowing or liking myself. Ekkkk!

It still is a daily struggle but my therapist recommended I do activities that bring me joy, relaxation and something that got my body moving. During one of our sessions I mentioned how I had done that one yoga class way back and how great it felt. She said that is a great place to start. So I embarked on a search for yoga classes near me and find one that had great reviews and I signed up for their New Student Pass. 45 days of unlimited classes for $45. The first class I signed up for was their Candlelight Relax & Restore class. The class involves Yin postures & guided meditation in a soothing candle lite room. At the beginning of the class the instructor asked us to each pick a card from a pile. Each card had an intention written on it. The one a drew was about clearing out any baggage I had been carrying, emotional, mental, just release it. The timing couldn't of been better for me to draw this card. The class and the intention I set because of this card left me feeling so good. I left feeling so relaxed and grateful.

The next class I signed up for really sealed my interest in the practice of yoga. It was called Soulful Sunday Slow Flow. It involved slow flow poses and yoga philosophy in between. The instructor was incredible. The energy in that room was unforgettable. She made us all feel so welcomed and encouraged participation in that day's discussion about the Hero's Journey. If you haven't heard of this please read up on it. The instructor pointed out the similarities between the hero's journey and the journey of our own as individuals. It struck a cord to say the least. Once again I left the class feeling overwhelmingly relaxed but more than anything GRATEFUL for the experience.

These classes are what sparked this journey. It lite something in me that wanted to know more about the practice of yoga and how it could improve not just our physical body but also our mind. I was hooked.

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