week 3

For this week's yoga session, I did a Hatha style flow with a woman named Ann Gray. I met her through my Aunt, who is a good friend of hers. She has a studio in her basement, which was clean and spacious, and had a very calm like feel to it. What was most relaxing to me was the class size; there was a total of 6 of us there. 

Before we got started, I was able to speak one on one with the instructor. We talked about what kind of yoga styles she offered, and her answers were nothing less of zen. She told me each style has its own flow, but they are all one. She told me to slap a label on it, the style she offered was Hatha. The most important thing to remember in yoga is to go at your pace, as long as you felt your own strength. 

I think depending on the instructor in which you do your practice with reflects on if yoga is framed as more than just an exercise. I've noticed the difference thus far in instructors and their personalities, and I think that's what reflects the classes mind frame of what yoga is. I know that it is more than just exercise. It has given me more than just better flexibility, but a better sense for calmness. I've even noticed I have a little more patience with things that I never used to ever have patience for. It's a pessimistic trait of mine, but in yoga, there are no judgements. And that, to me is empowering.

Yoga has been suggested in many ways with many instructors that it can empower the practitioner. Even this week with Ann, she told me the importance of yoga is to go at your pace, as long as you felt your own strength. And I did. I remember feeling a sense of empowerment being able to hold certain asanas in class. It's that sense of peace, and oneness of finding your strength is why I would recommend yoga over other activities, like running or zumba. Sure, everyone has their pace to their practice, so maybe more fast paced activities like running or zumba might be more appealing, but I don't think you can get the same feeling of peace and centeredness as you do when stretching out on a yoga mat.