Svadhyaya ~ Self Study

"Study thyself, discover the divine." 
~ Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, II.44

Hello, beauties!

Today, a look back to the very first yoga class I ever attended. 

Truth? I was forced into it. 😅

Well, that might be a little strong, but let's just say . . . I did not voluntarily decide to show up in a studio. ☺️

The class was held at my friends' art gallery, and this specific offering was for a group of gals who knew one another. Every person, except for me, already had some experience with yoga.

I was in a rough patch, and my dear friend Theresa said, "You are going to this yoga class. I am picking you up and taking you this first time. After that, you can decide for yourself." 

Something profound happened for me at that first class.

I remember feeling self-conscious at first (I didn't have any "yoga clothes," I didn't own a mat, I had no idea what I was doing). But, by the end, everything had shifted.

Connecting to my breath and my body got me out of my head. It felt good to move and stretch and flow. The stillness of savasana felt comfortable and deeply nourishing. After the completion of our final OM, I cried. Not a few, gentle tears. More of a snotty, throat-rattling sob. 

Then, I got back in my head. Part of me felt super self-conscious and very embarrassed by my "outburst." 

I'll never forget my friends' response. They gave me, and all of my emotions, space. Safe space. And, I use that word "space" very intentionally. They didn't hover over me. Or, try and fix anything. Instead, they gracefully accepted my experience, and they did it without judgment. 

Gaining access to my breath and my body allowed me the release I so desperately needed. I felt renewed. Somehow, I was both exhausted and energized. Finding stillness, and enjoying it, felt brand new. I knew I needed more. In fact, I wanted more.

The next week, I drove myself to class.

I have attended yoga classes ever since.  ​

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Learn more about how, and why, we are rewarded when we have the courage to look within by clicking here.