What 30 yoga classes taught me

On May 30 I committed to a 40 Day Yoga Challenge hosted by Semperviva Yoga in Kitsilano. The fine print said that in order to be entered into the draw to win a free six month unlimited pass, the participant had to attend at least 30 classes in those 40 days. I read that and though, "Hey, why not try to score a free pass to yoga!" Now, keep in mind that at most, I've only ever done about 12 classes during one of my yoga-stints. 30 out of 40 days was a huge feat for me! What  I didn't realize was that this was going to be the beginning of a new love.

This is what true love looks like!

Let me back it up a little bit here. For YEARS I've been envious of the yogis I've seen online, or in the flesh. They always appeared to be more compassionate, more calm, more understanding, and of course, way more bendy than us average folk. I wanted desperately to be one of them. I bought intro-passes to several different studios, and then I found Semperviva! I can't quite explain why I love this studio as much as I do. Perhaps because I finally went to it when I truly felt ready to incorporate yoga in to my life? Or perhaps because the atmosphere is inviting and fun? Either way, I love it there.

So what have my 30 yoga classes taught me? Well...

1. It's the journey, not the destination. Okay, that's the epitome of cheesy, but honestly, that was the greatest discovery for me. My first class at the studio was like every other first class: Defeating. I'm not exceptionally flexible. Just like I'm not exceptionally strong. But I work on my strength week after week, year after year. Something finally clicked in my brain and I realized that it's not that every crow-posing, head-standing, lotus-folding participant in that class is better than me, it's that they've been doing it for way longer than me! So while I started each class wondering where I will rank on the "Amazing Yogi" scale, now I start each class wondering if my body is feeling up for a more challenging pose.
2. I can achieve anything that I truly commit myself to it. I had my doubts. I really thought at one point, when it was getting so hard to schedule the yoga classes between my clients' and my social schedules, that I would quit. But I didn't. I stuck it out. I did two classes on the days that I had to make up classes, and I stayed committed to my practice. And for that I'm proud of myself.
3. A little bit of yoga goes a long way. After only 30 classes I noticed that I look at the world a little differently. I'm slowly starting to let go of any judgments I may attach to different aspects of my life. I guess you can say I'm becoming more of an observer. I'm noticing subtleties I wouldn't have noticed before. For example, I recognize when I'm starting to get stressed and when that happens I start focusing on the feeling of breathing. The feeling of the cold air entering my nostrils, my rib cage expanding, and my heart beating helps. It doesn't always calm me down right away, but it definitely prevents me from catastrophizing the issue in my mind!
4. I love life a little more than I used to. I've started counting my blessings. I've become aware of just how much I have in my life: My family, my friends, my career, my education, my health, my freedom, and of course my Vancouver.

I don't plan on hopping off the yoga bandwagon any time soon. But I have to say, I am itching for another fitness challenge! So I wonder, what will present itself next?