There are a few things in this life which provide me with a sense of freedom. A true feeling of freedom where I can be myself, explore my feelings without judgement from myself or the world, let my mind go, push my body and my senses a bit further past the boundaries they are used to, and connect with others.
Music takes me to that place. Boarding a plane and taking off on a new adventure is both thrilling and freeing. Connecting with nature, where I am small in comparison to my surroundings gives me the peace and freedom to just be. And stepping on to my mat. It is there that I feel the most free, where I can be myself, let go and practice.
Stepping onto the mat on any day is a new experience. No matter how I am feeling – happy or sad, energized or exhausted, frustrated or resigned – there is a pose buried somewhere within a flow that guides me. I can feel a shift when my feet connect with the ground and my body follows, stacking into place, my breath clearing my mind…and then I am changing shape all over again. B.K.S. Iyengar said it best….
“Yoga allows you to find an inner peace that is not ruffled and riled by the endless stresses and struggles of life.”
The freedom in my practice is not only experienced on the mat. I take yoga with me everywhere and I can practice anywhere. There is something comforting in knowing that no matter where I am – home, gym, car, studio, cafe, work – I can close my eyes, take a breath and bring myself back to a moment on my mat. I can roll out my mat anytime at home and pop into a pigeon or savasana after a long day. It can be 10 minutes, it can be 60 minutes. The freedom in my practice is that it can be what I want it to be, when I need it to be.
What does yoga mean to you? Is it an emotion, a spiritual connection, a journey or a physical expression? Perhaps it is none of those things or all of those things. Whatever it is to you, we are honored to be a part of your practice and thank you for being a part of our community.