Yoga Heals...

Yoga heals.  There are tons of scientific research studies that confirm this to be true. However I want to share my own personal story of healing with you all this month. 
 
When I first started practicing Yoga I was lonely, and restless. I was also out of shape.  As a former athlete I would occasionally do something physical to prove that “I still had it”,  but that would usually end up with me in a full body cramp somewhere struggling to breathe.  Moreover, as an entrepreneur I was always alone working; I knew I needed to create some kind of community for myself.  My attempts to develop a social life out of my involvement with Adult kickball had failed miserably. The glaring truth is that I was not myself when I first came to the mat.
 
I have been known to be a passionate, vibrant and high energy person but somewhere between NYC and ATL, I lost that zest.  Even though I left home at an early age to attend boarding school and stayed away through law school, there was something scary about moving for love. I didn’t feel the same security I had when I had moved for my academic pursuits.  The uncertainty gave way to feelings of isolation and alienation. I knew that I needed to try something radically different to get myself back; after all, I was the same person that could make friends with anyone and talk the paint off a wall.
 
After giving it a lot of thought, I talked into going to a yoga class. Best thing I ever did. I almost cried at my first yoga class, and I definitely cried at several classes during the first few months.  Each class felt like a huge release.  Let me be clear I wasn’t boohooing or sobbing uncontrollably,  but every time I laid down for savasana tears would well up in my eyes and roll down my cheeks.  It felt good. Those early classes helped me reach a great revelation. I had been holding on to my old life and hadn’t yet given myself permission to be fully present in my new life.
 
Without knowing I had experienced first hand the power of the yogic principal of Asparigraha: non-clinging.  I had been clinging to my old life, my friends back in nyc, and the adventures I thought I left behind.  I was clinging to the comfort of what was rather then embracing what is.   
 
Each class I would let go of the past a little more. Then one day the most amazing thing happened. I walked into the studio and felt light. By some miracle, no one else had come to class, I had the studio owner and master teacher all to myself. I was nervous but excited.  She asked me to sit down cross legged and close my eyes, then I heard her chuckle and say “whoa, I don’t know if you realize this but you are really leaning forward. In yoga that is a sign that you are really ready to step into the future. But you have to remain in the present so firm your belly and sit up straight.” 
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Whether she was aware of not those words were the final encouragement I needed to swallow hard, embrace my new life and start to live rather than continue just existing.
I have practiced yoga regularly ever since that day, it keeps me grounded and forces me to bravely face reality so that I can not only be present but truly content.
 
Get out there and get on your mat! Let the healing flow.