Yoga and Peace of Mind

I discovered yoga twenty years ago when I picked up a VHS tape of yoga and pilates to get myself into shape for my upcoming wedding. (Not realizing that at 28 years old, I was in shape!) What I noticed is that my natural kyphosis (a slight hump in my back) started to decrease. I’d come back to yoga-even teaching it in my dance classes- but it would never stick. Much like our forays at the gym around this time of year, I just lost interest and it felt more like a burden, something I had to schedule, than the blessed gift of movement and stress reduction the magazines and yoga gurus promised.

For decades now I say that I am going to start doing yoga regularly. A tremendous amount of family and financial stress and feeling like depression was settling in my bones made me want to do yoga again. Even if it was just easy and more calming meditation than rigorous workout. Here’s what changed;

I stopped waiting for my husband to join me.
I didn’t challenge myself. I chose routines that were easy.
I stopped thinking I would go to a class in person.
I found the perfect teacher for me…on YouTube.

So, in my pajamas, in my bedroom, I started doing yoga. For me, Arianna Elizabeth, a yoga teacher on YouTube, was my godsend. Her upbeat and spiritual attitude appealed to me. Her class was flowing and seemed quick. I kept going back into the bedroom in the mornings to do more. Ten minute classes, 20 minutes. Searching, “Yoga for Peace of Mind”, I kept coming back to the mat over and over again. Without having to schedule it or set goals, I just keep showing up. I get it now. I feel the emotional and spiritual calm after doing yoga. Even though I don’t feel like I am particularly challenging myself, I see a difference in my body. I feel my spine moving better. In a recent modeling photo shoot, I seemed taller. I am sleeping better. I feel how I can be a better person, a better mother, a better wife, a better friend, a better grammie. I feel stronger. I feel inspired. I feel more at peace.

I will never have the youthful body I had as a young bride back, but flexibility and peace of mind is far more important to me now. The added benefit of getting strong has been amazing. Arianna Elizabeth may never know that she changed my days for the better, but I hope the blessing comes back to her. Find your matching teacher and you are a step ahead of where you were yesterday.