Befriending My Body
Before coming to Greenville Yoga for the first time, I had long been intrigued by the idea of yoga and intellectually had an understanding of its benefits. But I hadn’t taken that first step to try a class because of my preconceived notions about what people who “do yoga” look like and how they move and what their bodies are capable of. I had mistakenly decided I didn’t look like them or move like them and therefore I thought my body wouldn’t be capable of “doing yoga.” Fortunately about 8 months ago I noticed that something in me felt envious of these other people “doing yoga,” enough so that I was gifted with the courage to overcome my preconceived notions and give a class at Greenville Yoga a try.
That’s when my life changed for the better. I was amazed and grateful that in my very first yoga class I was able to follow the cues and let go enough to simply be curious about what it felt like to fully inhabit my body in the moment, not forcing anything or asking it to do more than it could. I was delighted at my ability to simply notice sensations in my body and work with it to find that just-right balance between effort and ease. I felt no judgement from the teacher, my fellow yogis, or to my amazement, even from myself!
For me, that first class was the beginning of a journey that has allowed me to more fully befriend, honor, and appreciate my body and all that it does for me day in and day out. The benefits of consistently attending classes have extended beyond the studio walls. I feel more present and grounded in my body at baseline, and more able to consciously use my breath to self-regulate in times of stress. I find that I move with more ease and joy, and am able to maintain my curiosity about how I’m feeling in my body. I am enjoying seeing an increase in my core strength and flexibility, while still embracing the notion that there are no specific, measurable goals I have to attain. I love that I practice yoga because I enjoy it while I’m doing it rather than focusing on something it will give me down the road. I have also noticed a deeper connection with that still small voice within me that knows what I need and want. I credit my newfound yoga practice with allowing me to listen more attentively to this voice, which has given me greater clarity about what I want to create in my life. I feel more compassionate toward myself and the world, and I know that my time on my mat in community with others at Greenville Yoga has helped to nurture this.
I feel gratitude beyond words for every teacher at the studio, each of whom brings their own special gifts to their classes. I have taken classes from nearly every teacher and Liz has managed to attract a select group who are able to be uniquely themselves while all providing the same atmosphere of caring support, thoughtful accommodations if needed, and a beautiful focus on the power of attending to and continually returning to one’s breath. I’ve heard people say “a big difference at Greenville Yoga is that there is more attention on the breath rather than on perfect poses.” I agree wholeheartedly and can attest to how powerful it is to spend an entire class focused on the here and now, with the breath being front and center in that pursuit. Through yoga I have learned experientially, and not just intellectually, about the power of returning to our breath as a way to ground ourselves in the present moment. And, after all, our whole life is simply a collection of present moments. Yoga has helped me stay in the present more consistently and therefore enjoy the moments of my life more fully - all of the little pleasures and joys that are there for the taking to be noticed and experienced all around me. What could be better than that?
~Heather R.
