14

While on a seated forward fold last night, I reached my toes!

When I started my yoga journey last month, I was skeptical it could help me improve my flexibility. I believed the physical benefits but after a series of poses, I was able to accept that my body can only just twist and fold to a certain extent. So imagine my amazement when I was able to reach my toes. I could only thank the 14 FNR classes I've taken so far.

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When my 15-day unlimited pass expired, I got myself a Flexipass. I have been going at least twice a week but I am targeting to practice at the ashram thrice a week. I'm still attending FNR classes and with each class, I feel that I'm learning how to improve my practice. Oftentimes it's just remembering to breathe as I go through each asana. Sometimes it's about tucking my belly or straightening my spine. I've become more conscious of the rounding of my back on certain poses that require a straight back. Other times it's bringing my chest forward, keeping the neck long, and engaging the forearms while in plank or in downward dog. I've learned that it's ok to bend my knees while on downward dog so that I can maintain a long spine.

What I love about going to a yoga class is having someone remind me to always be gentle with my body and to not push it to a point that it is already harmful; practicing the virtue of ahimsa.

My reasons for practicing yoga have evolved. While I initially just went to build muscular strength on my upper back in order to address my back pains and to tone my tummy, I now find myself going back because yoga calms and strengthens my mind. The physical benefits have now just become a plus. When we word on the core or the hamstrings, I see it as doing something good for my body. A favor to those parts of my body.

There are several moments of triumph during class like that time I chose to do a side plank instead of resting on a child's pose because I felt my body wanted more. Or that time when I was able to reach past my shins and touch my ankles while on a forward fold. And that time when it occurred to me how an ujjayi breath differs from a regular breath. But my practices are peppered with frustrations as well. Like the many times I keep forgetting to tuck my tummy on a certain pose. Or that time when instead of keeping a long, straight spine on a downward dog I was rounding my back because I was so intent on planting my feet flat on the ground. Oh there are so many more but I don't like to keep track because what yoga has taught me so far is acceptance and not competing with others or with my expectations. I have learned to respect what my body can and cannot do, to celebrate it regardless of its flexibility, and most importantly, to love it because it is my own.

I am very happy I've chosen to begin this yoga journey when it did. I feel blessed to be in a relationship with someone who supports my yoga journey. You might say it's too early to say this but I'm going to say it anyway, I'm always happy on the mat.