My Yogi Life
The First Class
Hello, I’m Meghan! I am so excited to be on this journey to becoming a yoga teacher. I have always been an athlete; I started soccer in first grade and played up until early high school. I then ran cross country and track through my senior year.
I continued to run on my own in my college years, and also joined a running Meet-Up group later on. I would occasionally join races to keep things interesting, including a Warrior Dash (twice!), and a 10k trail run.
What does this have to do with yoga? A dear friend convinced me of the benefits of yoga for runners, and so I joined her for my first yoga class. It happened to be a HOT YOGA class. Despite the sweat and the fact I barely survived the class, I loved it. I signed up for a membership and so my practice began.
Continuation
I was hooked and was all in the first couple years after that introductory class. As time went by my life did change, as things do in life. A relocation and family meant less time for yoga and prioritizing my general health.
Eventually I did discover a few wonderful studios in my new area. I even took quite a few aerial yoga classes offered at a local place! Mostly, I just practiced at home intermittently as a supplement to other workouts I was doing.
Clarity
I would consider a few years ago as being one of the lowest times of my life. Without dwelling on the past circumstances that created the problem, I found myself dependent on alcohol. Unable to stop safely without getting help, I checked myself into a rehab center.
As you would expect, despite it being a nicer one, it was still an extremely difficult place to be. There were very few moments you had to yourself. They would occasionally bring a yoga instructor in for a class on the weekend…. That’s how I learned they had yoga mats in the closet.
Mornings became my solace. I would wake up a good hour or two before everybody else, ask the overnight employee to unlock the closet for a mat, and go to the empty group room. I would turn the TV to a music channel, roll out the yoga mat and start practicing. I would meditate, journal, and write letters in those morning hours as well.
It was in those times- reflecting on what a difference yoga was making in my emotional state, my well-being, and helping me through one of the hardest moments- that I knew I wanted to share this practice with everybody.
I hope that I inspire if only one person to find a new appreciation for yoga. Whether it be a start like mine, to just want the physical benefits, I know the rest comes when it’s needed. I had always said that the spiritual talk really wasn’t for me until it was. I realized that spiritual connection was always there just waiting for me to call on.
Namaste 🙏🏻
Meghan