The idea of Yoga never entered my mind as I considered it a bit ”fringy” perhaps even a bit too “New Age” for me. It was clear to me that the dress, mannerisms and energy from people who were deeply into yoga clearly stood out in my mind although I had no idea at all the connection between their discipline and their overt behavior.
Several months before I had my unfortunate hip replacement surgery, I woke up one morning (no doubt this sounds familiar) and I decided that I was going to check out this creature called Yoga. I was very fortunate in that the neighborhood where I live has what is arguably the best yoga site in Washington DC so I proceeded to quickly sign up for two gentle yoga introductory classes.
Leaving aside all the mechanics of this new environment, I experienced an interesting phenomenon.
Whereas working with my personal trainer in physical rehabilitation just ended up making me physically tired, after a yoga session I literally floated through my activities for the rest of the day and never experienced any tiredness.
I work out at least four times a week for an hour, stretching, lifting weights and working on balance. I have hired a personal yoga instructor and as a result, I have completely changed my workouts.
My personal instructor, Suzie Hurley, the head of the Willow Street Yoga Center, is a woman with four grown children. She moves just like a young ballet dancer and it is magical to me to watch her demonstrate the exercises. Among her many contributions to my physical awareness, the integration of active breathing into my exercise routine has changed it enormously. My morning routine now lasts an hour and a half, but even more important than that, I feel that I'm going much more deeply into each individual exercise and the focus on breathing brings good things to both my body and my mind.
My instructor and I like each other, enjoy talking to each other, and swapping ideas very much; if we add therapeutic assists to the equation the energy exchange becomes exponential in its amplitude.
Based in part on her willingness to give and my willingness to receive, I have ended up signing up for a week at a Trappist monastery during the first week of February. The quiet, contemplative life of a monk has always been very appealing to me and while I have no idea what to expect I'm very open to whatever happens. I'm sure what I experience will end up being discussed on my blog.
Simply writing this way about a course modification in my life brings a sense of quiet repose to me and somehow, in an unknown manner, it is all connected to the nature of my journey.
Namastasye,
Sparky
1 comments:
This is fantastic! I have been practicing yoga on and off for about five years (although, as you say, you never turn yoga off; it is always with you in balance or breathing). Most people that have an aversion to yoga are usually those that haven't found the correct type of yoga for them. I have tried multiple types and definitely have my favorites (although, interestingly enough, this changes over time as well).
Thank you for sharing and Namaste,
Ann Marie
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