My introduction to Yoga!
    Almost 12 years ago was my first experience with yoga.  It probably like most, was a slightly humorous story.  My friend Erin and I took a fitness class together in college and it was requested to have a yoga week.  We were both really excited and completely over confident. I was still pulling out my old cheerleading kicks from high school and Erin showed off her legs behind her head trick on a regular basis. Again we walked into that room excited and thinking it would be a piece of cake.
 
   The class began with what they call a sun salutation which involves some arm reaches, forward bends and breaths. Erin and I looked at each other and both thought "is this for grandmas or what". That thought quickly changed when we did our first two rounds of sun salutation with a plank, upward dog and downward dog.  We stayed in downward dog for over a minute and Erin and I were both huffing and puffing and body inverted with pain in arms and legs.  We looked at each other and tried to hold in our discomfort but couldn't help laughing at each others awkwardness.  I was slipping from the mat from my sweaty hands and Erin's long arms and legs pushed her butt 3 feet higher then anyone else in the room.  As the class went on the awkwardness continued not only with Erin and I but the entire class.  You heard thuds, groans, pops and the occasional body air release.  When the instructor finally said lay on your back in relaxation pose, Erin and I both flopped down in total exhaustion and also relief.  We looked at each other and both said "Holy #%*^".
Say the least we didn't return that week for the rest of the class.

   I left that class with a complete different look on yoga and also a feeling of failure.  That feeling of failure followed me to the end of college, into chiropractic school and even 4 years of working as a chiropractor.  My whole life I heard how great yoga was for your health, spine and spirit and I couldn't even survive one 45 minute class.  I was so jealous of those that told me they did yoga everyday, and Pinterest made it worse with pictures of  back bends and headstands in the health section.  I became obsessed with this thought and I knew I had to give yoga another chance.  Not only for me but also for my career.  Chiropractic and Yoga go hand in hand, and I had mastered the Chiropractic part but was a little afraid of the yoga part.  I started to read books on yoga and ordered a videos.  As I read the books I began to understand the history and development of the art and realized there were many different types and ways to practice.  The videos I ordered were for beginners and I started to get really good at it and ordered more.  The more I ordered the more I felt I couldn't grow with just videos because they became slightly redundant and less challenging.  My aunt had known of my slight obsession and gave me the name and number of her yoga instructor.  Her instructor was interested in becoming a yoga teacher along with instructing.  I was excited to find out that she was not to far from my home town and decided to take part of her instructor class.

   Since that class my whole outlook on yoga is completely changed.  She not only had the most positive aura around her she had the best attitude towards life I have ever experienced and someone that I just met.  There was no judgment just encouragement and growth in our practice.  She opened my eyes to the many aspects of yoga and also the simplicity that it has.  I took what I had learned and practiced everyday at home so I could also teach what I had learned to my home town.  I had a great interest and now teach 4 times a week to 15 to 20 yogi inspires, and it keeps growing.  As I continue to practice yoga and teach,
I have not only noticed my body getting stronger but also my mind is clear, and my spiritual beliefs are growing.  You learn to live a more simple life and love yourself and your surroundings.  The more I practice the more I want to practice and the more I appreciate everything that is in my life.  I want to Nameste all day and try to inspire others as well.

   The point of this blog is to educate my passions in life.  Yoga didn't start off easy for me.  I was discouraged after one class and it took 12 years for me to have the confidence and love that I have for it today.  I want to keep inspiring people the way I was inspired with my most recent instructor and spread the benefits of yoga throughout my tiny little town.  I don't want people to get discouraged after one class, I wantt them to understand that there is not judgement but only growth.  If I had been told that after my first class 12 years ago, I would have stuck with it.  Have confidence in yourself, work for your health, and Nameste all Day.