A letter from my future yoga loving self...

Dear fresh little yogi,
 
As you step into the big world of yoga, don’t be scared by all the unpronounceable positions that sound made up. Don’t be hard on your body for not doing what you want it to, it will get there. But mostly, my little one… remember to breathe.
 
Yours truly,
Your future yoga loving self xx

I think this is what my future ‘yoga-loving’ self will say to me in hindsight. Something mildly encouraging in its whimsy.
 
I’ve recently discovered the world of yoga practice, and while I give the impression of being limber to look at, I’m actually as flexible as a lamppost. Now, I have no desire to be the most flexible person in the room… or even my corner of the room, but I quite like rock climbing and other sports that work very well in conjunction with flexibility, and so, off to yoga I go.
 
Now, I don’t know the first thing about yoga, except that focusing so hard on my breathing makes me feel like I’m in a Lamaze class. I am not enthusiastic about starting yoga, and I actually find it quite intimidating. However, life is not a spectator’s sport and sometimes you must suck it up and join in. So, join in I will.
 
I started this adventure with a yoga class that worked with my rather full schedule, at a yoga studio that worked with my rather empty budget. Needless to say - it helps to do a little bit of research on these things. Having spent an hour doing more ‘Downward Dogs’ than I would wish on my worst enemy, I left the studio with the typical ‘yoga-stoned’ feeling of being light, but with less enthusiasm than before I started.
 
Yoga was not for me I decided, and I vowed to ‘namaste-the-hell-away-from-it’.
 
Slightly disheartened about this, I had a good old vent session to my friends. Upon hearing my tales of many failed ‘Downward Dogs’, a good friend of mine pointed out that I had done a pretty intense class for a beginner and no wonder I didn’t enjoy it. She also pointed out that the place I had done it at was more discount gym than beautiful yoga studio, and if you want prime rib fillet you don’t go to 7-Eleven- so to speak. She suggested the yoga studio she was a member at, a little boutique place in the city called Stretch Yoga. I liked the sound of it, and after assuring me the class would be more up my alley (and downward dog free) I agreed to go.
 
I felt a little lost waiting to go into the studio - but yoga people are pretty cool campers, and I got a few lovely smiles to ease my anxiousness. I went in and found a place right at the back. The calm, soft lighting was beautiful and comforting. The session came and went and I walked out feeling proper ‘yoga-stoned’, and filled with excitement to go back. And so the adventure will continue with a new found enjoyment and appreciation for yoga, which I feel will only grow with time…

​by Zoe Jessica