Starting off the Wednesday Featured series with an interview with my Yoga Instructor of close to three years. My mother embraced yoga many years ago and kept asking me to try it when I started having foot, knee problems and the tummy from the childbirths refused to go. I did on one trip to Madras, and hated it. Something didn't seem right and it just didn't stick.
Then in 2008, I tore the cartilage in my right knee. It was pretty bad and I had an arthroscopy done and it instilled a fear in me, very deep. You see, that was the very first time I had a scalpel on my skin. I was a healthy woman all through my life and all my three children were born naturally. The procedure and its after-effects terrified me cold. I was not admitting it, but I slowed down my lifestyle dramatically and in turn put on more weight coz of inactivity.
A new online friend on hearing about my stiff knee suggested that I try Yoga to ease and stretch my muscles. I knew I was taut. By coincidence, two days later, a neighbor friend asked me to come try out this Yoga class she goes in the neighborhood on Wednesday mornings. I tried on a whim, and I came home sore, in tears and feeling extremely ashamed that I was in such bad shape (physically and emotionally). Next week, I pushed myself out the door, and then the next and then before I knew it, I was hooked. I liked my teacher, I loved the stretching and how I felt the next day, I loved the space in which we practiced and most were neighbors, and women I knew outside of class. Another good friend joined in, and well, session after session we stuck on, and this is my third year with Karen Jaynes.
Yoga has changed my life. Well, at least it has slowed me down to pause, think, and be in the moment (those Wednesdays at least) and I like how much of a foundation the stretching of the muscles has helped in my aerobic exercise and in my general well being.
I love Karen for how she runs her class, for her little anecdotes, for the way she eases folks into poses and for the humor that she and in turn we bring in, and am amazed at how far we have all come, individually. I can now do a downward dog with ease. Stay in a plank for more than 45 seconds. I can sleep in the pigeon pose and not groan, and I am almost there with my balance as a tree.
I believe that things fall into place when they have to. The right teacher and the right moment in your life are two traveling points. They meet, at random and on occasion or maybe just once. If your mind is open then, there is a click and a match is made.
Today is her birthday too! How things come together eh? :-)
Meet our wonderful, interesting and inspiring Yoga instructor, guide and teacher:
Karen of All Ways Yoga.
Contact: Website and Facebook Page
