Early 30’s! (31)

My yoga practice, just like the practice of yoga, comes in ebbs and flows. There are times when I’m practicing three times a week and times when its zero. However, yoga is always on my mind. My practice at Your Inner Yogi is usually Tuesday and Thursday mornings. If I miss-even for long streaks of a time- there’s never a Tuesday or Thursday morning where I forgot it’s yoga day. Nonetheless, yoga has taught me how to give myself grace; how to give myself whatever I need at the moment. Also, I know that no matter how much I abandon yoga, yoga will always be there for me to welcome me with open arms when my mind and body is ready again. 

Somehow I feel like yoga and I have always been one. I remember going to classes in my early twenties but I never had a feeling of “this is new to me” it was always just “this is what I do, this is what I’m supposed to be doing;” it was as if I had been doing it my whole life. I think I like the idea of working out slowly and working out your mind and body all at once.

Yoga is so good to me, without fail–and you don’t leave a good thing! The people I practice with are phenomenal and are as much a part of my experience as the vinyasa. For me, practicing yoga is a battle between you and you. I’m always challenged to stay in a mentally focused place while also increasing my physical strength. After each savasana, I’m always thinking – “wow, that was awesome, and I feel great”– and I will never give that up. 

I love the slow flow class; it burns so good! My life moves really fast on a daily basis, the slow flow class is a bit of a reality check for me. Moving constantly and moving fast can be tough, but the slow flow proves that really slowing down can sometimes be even more difficult. When you’re in the poses, you’re in them – and no matter how much you want to get out, you have to face it and sit in the difficultness. I think it mirrors life a lot because often times we try to run away from the hard stuff, but sometimes its best to just sit in it and wait it out for it to get better. 

When I do yoga (especially in the morning), it’s better for everyone! I’m always in a better mood and it just spreads to those around me. I sit an insane amount during the day, and yoga really helps to balance that out and my body feels so much more centered. The mental peace that I feel after some yoga sessions is off the charts. Yoga allows me to connect with myself, God, and others in ways that I never knew were possible. Your Inner Yogi has also introduced me to meditation, and there’s no turning back!

It helps that you’re walking distance from my home!

No, but seriously the studio is amazing. Libby inspires me more than she could ever know and the instructors have always been the best. There are more times that I’d like to admit, that I went to yoga and my practice consisted of a good ole talking session with Kandace or Libby! Sometimes, that’s what you need and Your Inner Yogi allows for that flexibility. Not to mention, Your Inner Yogi has the Hip Hop Yoga series that are bomb, and the Self-Care Sundays that have fed my soul tremendously and introduced me to some of the best people in Memphis. Your Inner Yogi also has great class times. If I miss my 6 A.M. class, I know there are some great classes later in the day as well. The studio is beautiful and always clean and very peaceful. Next to my home, YIY is my favorite place in downtown Memphis!

Yoga has taught me how to breathe. Naturally, we breathe from the first moment we enter this world, but learning to really breathe and pay attention to your breath is a true learning experience that everyone should go through. I’m so grateful for my breath and for the chance to get to know it better. That is a form of yoga that I practice every single day.

“May the light in you see the light in me”

We are all light (and darkness), we just have to choose what we decide to see in people. This one blesses my spirit every time. 

Just. Do. It. 

It seems corny, but it’s true. Yoga is for everyone and everyone is for yoga. When you do it, you feel better and you look better too.