National Yoga Day was on June 21st and I felt compelled to share my story and love for the practice. I see a lot of posts of people looking for studio recommendations and I am proud to say that Kent Island has some of the best, along with amazing teachers.
Eat Pray Love
My story starts back around 2005 when I read the book Eat Pray Love. The character in the book, Elizabeth, spoke to my soul. Being in my mid-twenties and feeling lost, so much of her story resonated with me. She left the life she had built and found herself traveling through Europe as she ate, prayed and loved while on her yoga mat. I was sold. I finished the book, went to Tuesday morning, bought a yoga mat, walked into a class and left feeling underwhelmed. Yoga found me, but I wasn’t ready. It’s kind of like love. If I would have met my now husband Jeff when I was 25, it never would have worked. It wasn’t until I was truly ready that I would know what I needed in a partner and a practice.
My time
Fast forward to 2017, I am married with two children under the age of 2, working full-time plus a side business planning weddings. I was desperate for self-care, quiet time, unwinding, letting go, whatever you want to call it. Another friend, a fellow blog mama, shared with me an opportunity to be a work study at Foundations Island Yoga. I knew it was my time. I was ready for yoga.
My first class was the one class I was trying to avoid – Bikram Hot 26. I can’t remember if I read the schedule wrong or if the schedule changed, but it was a gift. It quickly became the class that my mind, body and soul craved. It was a time of deep connection and thoughts, strengthening and aligning my body, releasing toxins and worries and lots of aha moments. I explain it to friends like this: when I go to the gym, the challenge is me against the machine or the weights. When I practice yoga, it is my mind and body working together that is the challenge.
Vinyasa and Yoga Nidra also became a part of my practice each bringing its own zen energy to my soul. And I have fallen in love with different teachers and environments – I love outdoor yoga! Foundations has just opened their outdoor space and is having a free Fitness Festival July 9. Soul Society is hosting FREE yoga every other Sunday this summer. One of my favorites was a sunset Vinyasa & Vino event at Cascia Winery with Live Life Everyday.
I find…
humbleness on the mat.
patience on the mat.
relief on the mat.
calmness on the mat.
my center on the mat.
ME on the mat.
If you are new to yoga, or have been practicing for years, I invite you to try one of the yoga studios here on Kent Island. Don’t forget to tell them you learned about them on ilovekentisland.com.
~Kathy