What I learned from my first yoga class

In 2015, fresh out of a writing job and at a crossroads at 22, I sought a change. 

Guided by a whisper of intuition, I turned to yoga—a familiar yet unexplored path, deeply rooted in my family's traditions—from my grandfather's kriya techniques to my mother's asana practice, and my sister's lessons in authenticity by being true to oneself (which I later realized is the essence of the practice).

I was ready.

I vividly remember searching for the nearest yoga studio and, without hesitation, made my way there the very next morning. The clock had just struck 6 am, and I found solace in the serenity of the early morning silence. I didn’t know it then, but it was a life-altering decision.

Our teacher greeted us warmly and gently guided us through a sequence of classical asanas, encouraging us to synchronize our breath with each movement. In that very moment, I was captivated by the sensations that washed over me. 

Looking back, I now understand that my love for yoga stems from a mental state devoid of thoughts. My focus was dedicated to the practice itself, moving consciously and attuning myself to the steady rhythm of my own breath. 

No external music was necessary. The room's collective breathing was our music, a shared journey of mindfulness and presence.

In the gentle unfolding of the practice, I moved to the headstand, Sirsasana. 

I remember being cradled into a newfound state of serene balance and delicate ease, both in body and spirit. Through this inverted gaze, the world transformed, revealing a profoundly altered perspective.

Throughout my life, I had always held the belief that I was weak and inadequate.

But held in this precarious balance by the firm grasp of my teacher, a glimmer of hope emerged in me. I realized that with practice, I could one day achieve this delicate equilibrium all by myself.

The realization was overwhelming, and it flooded my senses with a deep sense of relaxation.

Our practice finally led us to Savasana, the corpse pose. Here, we were instructed to lie motionless while observing ourselves. That first experience remains etched in my memory as the most profound. 

In Savasana, I completely dissolved into myself, transcending the boundaries of my physical form. It was as if I momentarily forgot who I was and simply existed. This state was truly extraordinary and left me feeling utterly at peace.

This is a practice that is simple enough to understand but also, far from easy. It is aptly called a 'practice' because even the greatest yogis continue to improve their relationship with themselves - to their physical self and higher self. The depth in a posture loses its significance if not guided by a deeper awareness and understanding of presence.

I realized for myself early on that this is a solitary journey. One that I must experience for myself without the burdens of competition and judgment from others. 

When we are our authentic selves, we can never go wrong.

So, I’m curious to know, how was your very first yoga experience?

A quick update on my upcoming class schedule

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be beginning a 10 day yoga immersion this coming Saturday. Classes will be held online via Zoom.

In this series you will connect breath, meditation and asana to empower you to embrace a practice rich in self-love, non-judgment and deep compassion. 

This month-long series blends Hatha yoga with Vinyasa-like flows. We will work on:

- Deepening Backbends in a sustainable & safe way

- Core strengthening drills for arm balances & inversions

- Hip Opening techniques for improving overall flexibility 

- Specific Pranayama & relaxation practices

- Mediation & Guided Yoga Nidra to enhance your state of mind

If you’d like to join or have any questions, please feel free to email me at ✨[email protected]✨

Also, I have a splendid musical piece for you to enjoy during your next yoga session or while you're in Savasana. Thank me later 🙃.