I’m only here for savasana

I’m only here for savasana

So far this week I’ve practised yoga three times, kundalini twice which included some extremely vigorous arm kriyas with the promises of life-altering abundance, and a deeply restful yin class that literally had my chakras spinning and it’s only Wednesday afternoon.

Yes, I manage to work and look after a houseful of messy people in between my yoga addiction. Sometimes I think that my dedication to pairing up Nike socks and delivering them to the right offspring could be one of my life’s greatest achievements. Where do the odd socks go, it is one of life’s great mysteries.

I don’t quite remember what I expected to gain from doing yoga when I dipped my toe into that first beginner’s class ten years ago.

I had successfully avoided exercise up until the ripe old age of forty-one, scarred from a childhood dislike of being pretty crap at all things P.E. except high jump so my sporty cousin reminds me. I’m not good with balls.

I missed out on pregnancy yoga which is a big regret. Breathing really is a calming superpower that I never knew existed until recently. Would have come in bloody handy.

I’m eternally grateful that the newly qualified yoga teacher that eased me gently and slowly into the world of asana appeared on my doorstep like a fairy yogic godmother and ignited a passion. Beginners yoga meant beginners yoga, anything else might have convinced my badly coordinated inner child to do a runner.

Friendly beginners’ yoga branched out into a love of meditation, breath work, gong baths and healing sessions. And I must say sometimes I think the teacher is trying to kill me with yoga!!! My new yoga teachers are hardcore.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means union. Mind and body united in a harmonious state of flow. I often think that yoga spreads its eight limbs and unites everything it touches. Because something special happens in a class full of people all in sync, breathing and moving as one.

The unity is part of the feeling of community you get from sharing space with fellow yogis, a secret club, each member on their own personal journey. No one’s calling out mum when you’re on the mat. It’s a me-time retreat a peaceful time out. The teacher composing a beautiful symphony of movement and breath, the mat a magic carpet ride to somewhere higher.

Yoga isn’t just a stretchy thing girls do in tight colourful leggings. It can be if that’s all you want to take, but it can be so much more. It’s a healer and a portal to transformation a gateway drug to esoteric treasures and self-realisation if that’s what you’re looking for.

I have met some of my favourite people whilst at yoga. I have started a business with one of those favourite people.

I’ve learnt to breathe deeper. To appreciate the silence and the stillness to the point where I often crave it. To flow. To value the importance of self-care and inner reflection and growth. To release the need for perfection. To not shy away from the things I cannot do, I accept that I will probably never do wheel or stand on my head and that’s okay.

I have learnt to recognise my left from my right, well ninety-five percent of the time, we all have our back-to-front days.

Mostly I’m just here for savasana anyway.

I’m happy I strayed into the world of yoga and grateful for every teacher that adds their own magic touch and unites us all.

Namaste