Why I Love Yoga

August 2007 was not my best month. I'd had a really, really shitty breakup the month before, and I was keeping myself sane (barely) by doing yoga and running every day. I'd gotten into running before to deal with emotional pain, so that felt familiar. But yoga as therapy was new to me. I knew that every time I went to yoga class, I'd have an hour and a half where I was fully in the moment and I was not thinking about stuff that made me sad. It was fun and challenging and sweaty (did I mention it's a Vinyasa class in a 95-degree studio?), and life changing. Here's a post from August 23, 2007...

"Then I came home & got ready for yoga. I got to the studio, and I was bummed because Terry wasn't there, and he's the only one whose Vinyasa class I've been to, and I really like him. Instead a woman named Jen was teaching the class. She was awesome. The class wasn't as hard core as Terry's, but it was more slow and we took more time in the poses, and she was very encouraging. Towards the end, she asked if anyone wanted to try a handstand. Several people went over to the wall, and she helped them get up on their hands, then put her arm between their calves, and by squeezing it, they were able to stay upright. I was watching and wanting to try, but I was totally scared that I wouldn't be able to do it or even wouldn't be able to get out of the pose. After a few people tried it, she asked if anyone else wanted to. I was watching everyone who did it and I totally wanted to, but I didn't say anything. Then she said, "Come on...it's better than caffeine!"

And before I knew what I was doing, I was on my feet and walking over there. And I just felt a total sense of purpose and I was completely in the moment. I went over and I got into the pose quite easily, and I did a handstand and felt so completely strong and balanced and supported. And then I came out of the pose and I was so happy. It was a natural high like I've never really experienced before. I walked back to my mat and I was so glad that I had tried it. I was full of energy and happiness. I felt like my heart energy was finally released."

I made a 20-minute yoga video the other night. I need to re-tape it because my mat was not visible in the frame, so every time I do chaduranga (lowering from high push-up to low-push), I sink down off screen. Then I pop back into view in up-dog. And my tank top is a little short and I have to pull it down to cover my belly in several different poses. Which just isn't very professional, you know?

When I finish it tomorrow, I'll post it.