Yoga Practice as Community

This morning I attended the 9:00am Yoga Flow class with Beth at YogaNine. I had a difficult time waking up and getting myself to go, but I am so glad I did. When I got to the studio, Beth greeted me with the biggest smile and asked all about how I've been. She made me feel like I was meant to be there and I was important. This turned my foggy and tired mood around in a 360; I was now awake, happy, and ready to go.

It was an older woman and myself in the class led by Beth. We were staggered all over the studio so no matter what pose or position we were in we had someone to reference or help keep our focus. We started the practice with breathing exercises. Once we got into the flowing oujjayi breath my main goal was to keep that breath throughout the practice. This was such a hard thing for me to do in previous classes when it was just me and the instructor. The instructor was always talking about form and postures so thats what I put my focus on. But having other people practicing with me made it easier to keep a steady breath. This sense of community held me accountable for my own practice. I found myself linking breath with this older woman, whom I have never met, moving in the same rhythm as her, and referencing her when I did not quite understand Beth's instructions.

It feel as though it doesn't matter if you know the people practicing with you or teaching you on a personal level. I have only met Beth a few times and could not tell you where she lives or what her last name was, but I know she made my day this morning with her welcoming spirit. She potentially turned my practice around before it even started. As for the other woman that practiced with me, I do not even know her name but I know she was important to me for a little over an hour today. She kept me in flow and helped me keep my breath going.

I know yoga can be practiced alone, but being in a community is what makes the difference for me.