About a decade and a half ago, my son was dating a yoga instructor. Now, if you're familiar with my penchant for the mystical and spiritual, you might assume I'd been a yogi for ages. But, surprisingly, my yoga journey hadn't begun until then. Eager to make a good impression, Jim and I enthusiastically embarked on a yoga adventure, joining a studio in Cleveland known for its hot yoga sessions. Picture this: a warm, misty room where you're gently coaxed into stretching beyond your usual limits, muscles warm and pliable. I became quite adept at it, but, truth be told, I didn't fully enjoy it. My competitive nature often overshadowed the experience.
Then, an injury happened.
Inversions in yoga – those intriguing poses where your heart is elevated above your head – are not for the faint of heart, and certainly not for the overly competitive who, like me, sometimes forget the importance of patience and preparation. Think of the classic downward facing dog, which I managed with ease. But when it came to more challenging poses like the wheel or headstand, well, that was a different story. One fateful evening, fueled by determination and a bit too much zeal, I felt a pop in my neck vertebrae during an overzealous attempt. That moment marked my farewell to yoga for quite some time.
For years, I steered clear of yoga mats and studios, even though Jim maintained his daily practice. I've dabbled in it now and then, giving it a try here and there. But there's a cozy, friendly reminder in this story: sometimes, in our eagerness to impress or push our limits, we might just find ourselves taking a step back to rediscover the gentle, embracing pace that truly suits us.
It's been quite a journey for me to find my way back to yoga. But last year, something wonderful happened. My niece introduced me to Kathryn Budig, an amazing instructor and now a dear and magical friend, who founded an online yoga community named the Haus of Phoenix. This place is truly special – it's like a virtual haven for yoga enthusiasts, offering a range of easy-to-follow classes suitable for everyone, regardless of their experience level, with lots of opportunities for magic to happen and sweet self-reflection. I've been a part of this warm and welcoming community for quite some time, yet I hadn't fully embraced my yoga journey again... until recently.
You see, I found my reason, a turning point about three months ago. Loving horses has been a part of my life since I was eight, but I suddenly found myself unable to ride without experiencing pain and fear, I’d lost that much strength over the years and COVID was the final nail in the coffin. This was a heart-wrenching realization, filled with a sense of loss. However, it also ignited a spark of determination in me – a resolve to overcome this hurdle and get back in the saddle again, no matter what it took.
This newfound resolve led me to embrace yoga with a fresh perspective. I gently persuaded my husband to take me to the barn a couple of times a week, where I would climb up on my pal Declan, bareback, feeling its warmth as Jim led us around the ring. This was initially just to stretch my leg and thigh muscles, drawing comfort from the horse’s body heat. The beginning was tough; I was scared and in pain, but my desire to improve was stronger than any discomfort.
On the days away from the barn, I pondered over my reluctance towards the one practice I knew could aid my healing. I realized that I wasn't the kind of person who could stay on a yoga mat for 30 minutes straight – it just wasn't in my nature. Then, my husband shared a memory that sparked an idea. He reminded me of his impressive upper body strength when we first met, a result of him doing 100 pushups every hour amidst working three jobs. His words made me blush like a smitten teenager, but they also gave me an epiphany.
“Get over yourself” my heart said to my ego. “Start from the beginning and stop worrying about how you look. “
Inspired by his story, I knew exactly what I needed to do. My approach to yoga wouldn't be traditional, but it would be uniquely mine, woven into the fabric of my daily life just like those pushups were in his. This blend of horseback riding and a tailored yoga practice, mixed with the warmth and support of my husband, has become a cozy, comforting path to wellness. It was a journey wrapped in love, determination, and the gentle strength of gradual progress. Every January, Kathryn runs a series of classes called “Back in the game”, specifically designed to get you back into your practice. “Start small” she says… “even five minutes is enough!”
"Starting small" has truly become my guiding principle. I've woven tiny pockets of movement into my daily routine, like gentle stretches, liberating hip openers, and moments of rest in a child's pose. Over time, I've embraced more yoga postures, including the graceful warrior 1, the grounded tree, and the majestic eagle. And then, there's my all-time favorite, the pigeon pose, which I now fearlessly slide into from a plank position. I've even embraced push-ups, just like my husband. At the barn, I find myself doing beginning, simple stretches astride (yoga on horseback!) that are returning me to a sense of balance, renewal and joy!
Day by day, I'm witnessing remarkable improvements in my well-being. It's becoming noticeably easier for me to mount a horse, a feat that seemed daunting only a month ago. My new aspiration? To gracefully sit and rise from the floor without support, inspired by the Okinawan tradition. With summer on the horizon, I'm setting my sights on trail riding, and who knows, perhaps even jumping some small fences along the way.
Yoga has finally found its special place in my heart, both emotionally and physically. It has evolved from a mere practice into a transformative journey of healing, resilience, and self-discovery. It's akin to discovering that cozy, familiar corner where you can unwind, flourish, and mend. And what makes it all the more remarkable is the sense of belonging, a community that feels like a real home, where we grow and heal together.
Make it your Own!
In the warm embrace of my yoga journey, I discovered a path back to wellness and self-discovery, a journey fueled by determination, love, and gradual progress. It's a tale of stepping back to find the gentle, embracing pace that suits me, of weaving yoga into the tapestry of my daily life. Just as I have embraced the small, comforting moments in my practice, I invite you to explore your unique path.
Start with a single step, as I did, and let it lead you to your own cozy corner of transformation. Maybe it's yoga, perhaps another pursuit close to your heart. Embrace the idea that progress, no matter how small, is still progress. So, whether it's five minutes or an hour, take the time to nurture your well-being. It's not about how you look but about how you feel – about finding that special place where you can unwind, flourish, and mend. Join me in this journey of self-discovery, and let's create our own stories of resilience, growth, and belonging, in a community that feels like a second home.