Asana

Twelve months ago I decided to go to a yoga class. I had been to yoga before... every now and then... not consistently... just off and on, as you do.

My previous experience with yoga had been ok, I guess. Hard. Frustrating. I remember the very first class I ever attended. I was surprised at just how difficult it was. I went looking for stretching and to increase my flexibility and found that there was more muscle work than I anticipated, awkward positioning and postures I simply could not achieve. I struggled for a couple of classes and then gave up, telling myself that Yoga wasn't for me.

Years later I tried again. This time the yoga was in a gym. Upstairs away from the gym equipment but with huge glass windows that overlooked the intense exercise below. As we lay on our mats you felt the vibration and heard the doof doof of the music pulsing under us. The clang of dumbbells was ever present and the occasional groan of excessive force being thrust around below.

On stage a yoga instructor was wired for sound. Headset in place we launched into about six rounds of salute to the sun at full speed. I simply threw my body around willy nilly, desperately trying to keep up with him, not really knowing what I was doing, pushing, straining, twisting. Whilst I was aware that my first tentative steps into the world of yoga would be challenging... this was impersonal, hurried and downright dangerous. I did not return.

A few more years passed. Once again yoga called to me. Another gym. Better instructor. However I still lingered at the back of the class, unable to really perform any of the poses. I did my best. Sometimes I would just laugh. Out loud. It didn't go down well. Sometimes I would feel like crying. I would yearn for the instructor to walk past me, to check on my progress... was I doing it correctly? This was a huge class and she simply couldn't see everyone. I felt like a fish out of water.
Once again I gave up. Back to lifting weights, kettle bells, boxing. High intensity stuff.

Then cancer found me. (Or I found cancer) Yoga, Yoga, Yoga. The call was insistent. So after my first surgery or was it my second, I began to search for a yoga class that would suit me and my now brutalised (more from years of stress and aggressive exercise, than cancer) body.

Thankfully I found Iyengar Yoga.

With aching neck, stiff shoulders, sore back, one boob and countless other emotional pains I went to my first class, then my second, then my third... Finally I was home.

Iyengar Yoga is supportive yoga. Slower than some styles with focus on the alignment, sequencing and timing of the poses. For those of us with zero flexibility and even those with too much flexibility, there are bolsters, blocks, straps and blankets, all placed accordingly and individually for each person to fully experience the pose, correctly, without pain, without stress, and with total surrender.

Under the watchful and supportive gaze of my instructor/coach/mentor...Lynn, I have progressed, slowly but surely, in my yoga practice. I still can't do a forward bend. I still can't cross my legs... however every day I feel stronger, I feel happier, I have found clarity and I feel purer in same way. More authentic.

In the twelve months that I have been going to my Iyengar Yoga class I have quit my job of ten years, then quit the next one of six months! Endured another surgery (Hopefully the last!)I have sold my home, started my own business. I write frequently, feel inspired. Although sometimes I am scared as well. So much is changing. My friendships, my ideals, what I thought I wanted from life. I even recycle differently!!!

Yoga is changing me. This is the power of yoga. I know that these changes are necessary. I long for the mat now. With a daily practice and classes twice a week, I am softening, surrendering and discovering that I am not who I thought I was. I am so much more.

As I lay on that gym floor that first time, feeling out of place, feeling the vibrations from ACDC playing below, I knew I needed yoga, my soul knew I needed yoga...I just needed to find the right yoga practice... I needed to find Iyengar Yoga.

Look after the root of the tree and the fragrant flowers will grow by themselves. Look after the health of the body and the fragrance of the mind and richness of the spirit will flow. - B.K.S. Iyengar

Http://yogaspacetweedheads.com