Staying present, setting an intention, taking time to focus on your breath and releasing whatever you have been carrying around with you all day; just a few of the things that I have taken away from my recent foray into the world of yoga. I flowed through hatha, bended like a pretzel during an intimidating and shocking ashtanga session and even moved sweetly during a longer more groovy variation. It was somewhere between half lotus and turtle pose that I had an a-ha moment. Yoga is just what a chick like myself needs.
It didn't take long to realize that yoga is so much more than a hot, sweaty workout and a good stretch. Philosophy, spirituality and mindfulness are all subtly intertwined within a dynamic flow of movements. Each series purposefully combined to not just stretch your body but your mind and your limits. Constantly being reminded of pranayama and the importance of breath and energy control focuses your attention on something greater than your own movements. And no matter what asanas you find yourself folded into, you are always brought back to a neutral place to reset before moving forward. But its got to be savasana, which quite simply could be the the most divine time during the whole yoga experience, that will be enough to keep bringing me back for more.
I am the kinda gal who fills her plate 'till there isn't room for one more thing, the lady who burns the candle at both ends and goes until the she collapses onto the bed and passes out. The challenge in practicing yoga has been the slowing down, letting go and staying in the moment. It is a rare occasion when in my day I am not whirling around like a tightly wound top, when my movements are intentionally slow and calm. Something I have never been good at is to slow down, return to centre before moving forward always one to carry around junk from the entire day, week or month that was. And since beginning a journey into yoga, I work on taking time to "vinyasa" between tasks that make up my everyday. I have started to set intention for who I want to be that day and how I want the world to see me. My self awareness has been heightened and I can see the validity in getting to know myself in this different way.
Don't get me wrong I haven't got it all figured out and I still snap show rage on my little grade 10 stinkers but there is a reason that they call it yoga "practice". And the saying goes, practice makes permanent. I can just imagine the disaster that my chakras are in but I plan on continuing to explore my new found hobby and even though becoming a master yogini guru is not in my near future I can already see how yoga as a practice and not just an exercise could positively affect the rest of my life. And just like during yoga class its on a daily basis that I try to remind myself to stay present, set an intention for my actions, let go of what drags me down and focus. Focus on myself, my breathing, my energy and what is there right in in front of me. 
