Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Testimony of Yoga

My evening class is very unique, unlike my other classes the people in my evening class start coming in about ten minutes early. They get set up while they are chattering, they laugh, visit, and kid each other, enjoying one anothers company. I call them to their mats on the hour, as they place their hands on their heart, I hear everyone take a deep breath and exhale slowly, probably the first time they have enjoyed such a relaxing exhale all day. The talking continues here and there for a minute or so, and then, I hear them turn their breath inward. As I lead them through the Sun Salutations the room becomes silent, except for the music and our breathing. We flow through pose after pose as I call them out. It's exciting to synchronize our movements,  the room is filled with energy, and we in turn feel energized,  there's something magical about connecting with other people to practice, We start to sweat and our breathing becomes deeper. My instruction gives their busy minds something to focus on, keeping them in the present moment. For people with anxiety, this is a particular blessing.
My instructions also force them to tune in to the subtle shifts occurring in their body. As they become more aware of these changes, they begin to notice subtle alterations in their mind and in their mood, too. They feel in a tangible way how the body and mind are connected.

Yoga helps you be more in touch with your thoughts and feelings as they arise in the moment, which is half the battle of resolving them. In other words, when you're able to identify that something is wrong, you can address that particular issue in the moment, rather than ignoring it and unleashing it later in some painful way.

I asked my classes to write a testimonial of yoga that I might share in my blog. Natalie has been in class for 8 years and Becky has been in class for 2 years. They are very dear to me as are all my students, I want to thank them all for giving me the privilege of teaching them the amazing art of yoga.

Dear Nancy,
I was thinking today if you really want to know what yoga can do for your mind and body stop doing it for 6 months. I feel like my body has aged 5 years since I stopped. My joints hurt, I'm having issues with my hands after I have worked all day, it's harder to ward of stress because I'm not breathing fully, I have no really calming down time to myself therefore I get over stimulated very easy. I had no idea yoga impacted my life in so many was until I didn't have it. I owe you 100 thank you's for being my teacher.
Love, Natalie

Nancy,
I keep thinking about this, and it's a bit ironic that I have such a strong belief in the good yoga can do for a person but can't seem to get my body there this month….I started yoga almost 2 years ago after the suggestion from a friend who has similar athletic aspirations but lives in a different part of the country and has found that it has helped her. After years of hard physical work and play, I found myself middle aged and with bone and muscle issues,hence I started yoga. Now I can honestly say,  many of the symptoms I would normally have called a doctor for work themselves out. Not always quickly but with time and sometimes a little extra work. I know if I had had this training 20 or 30 years ago I would not be as weak or possibly have required the surgeries I have had. However I am certainly glad to know what I do and have the strength and knowledge I have gained through "yoga" class. It is never too late to start.
Thank you, Nancy

Yoga takes care of you if you stick with it. You start to sense what's right and what's wrong, and you follow a path of moral living and meditation because it feels right. The answers are in the practice, and the practice never judges you."
Nancy Adams Certified Thai Yoga Therapist
Certified Yoga Instructor
and Ayurveda Consultant
These are my own thoughts. I sometimes take writings from others to support my own ideas.