Today I went to a yoga class and during the practice I just felt such immense gratitude. This isn’t the first time that happened, it happens over and over again. This journey continues. It continues to expand with each posture, each class. No matter what is going on in my world, what I have to do later that day or during the week, when I am on my mat, I am in the moment with my breath. It is a dance between body, mind and spirit.
I remember the first yoga class that really touched me deep within my soul. It was on earth day in 2013. It was during this class that I knew I wanted to teach yoga. I wanted to share yoga, and the excitement I felt with everyone I knew. We practiced outside, on a beautiful spring day in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I had discovered a moving meditation. Flowing breath to movement, finding the space between my thoughts, I let go. I surrendered to the moment. I could meditate while moving? Yes! This was unlike other forms of meditation I had previously experienced, although I love “still” meditations as well! This was a combination. When you are in a balancing pose, it is hard NOT to be meditating.
I wanted more! I wanted to learn more, practice more, and experience all types of yoga. I went to different studios in the area and tried different styles of yoga. Vinyasa, Hatha, Kundalini, Yin, Restorative, I loved each for different reasons. I love the challenge, flow, and breath to movement of vinyasa, the stillness, surrender, and passivity of yin, the comfort of restorative, the devotion and awakening of Kundalini. I fell in love with a variety of styles for different reasons.
In 2014 I decided to really dive into the practice. I wanted to learn in depth the philosophy, asanas (poses), and limbs of yoga. I wanted to learn somewhere outside of my regular life and fully immerse myself. I also wanted to be able to teach, and share this practice with others. I had always been drawn to Costa Rica so I decided to check out yoga schools there. Pavones Yoga Center was the one that felt right. The earth based, multidimensional teachings in the heart of the jungle spoke to the core of my being. I found the school online in April of 2014, and then signed up for it 3 days later. The teacher training would begin July 2014. I trusted my intuition that this was the right fit. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Indira, Barbara, and all the beautiful teachers there teach with such passion, wisdom, and truth. I learned so much from them, and made such deep lasting friendships with the other students as well. The open air studio had the jungle on one side, and the ocean on the other. You hear the animals and sounds of the jungle all day and night. You feel the deep connection between human and nature. This is the connection I also feel when flowing through a practice, the connection, that dance between body mind spirit.
Yoga is a practice that continues to unfold. When I step onto my mat, I get out of my head and into my heart. Yoga has transformed my life so much. It’s a moving meditation. I am so thankful for all of my teachers. I’ve learned from on this yoga journey as well. Thank you for guiding me as I step onto my mat and into the essence of who I am.
As I flow, I find stillness and treasure the space between my thoughts. So thankful for this healing practice, and to be able to share it with others. I am so grateful for my students as well and what I have learned from them. If you haven’t yet tried yoga, try it! Then you can see if it’s for you 🙂 check out a class, put on a YouTube video, whatever is accessible to you. Experience the depth of this practice and see how your life transforms.