As the saying goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," and so I did my first step in my yoga journey. Seven months ago I finally started practicing yoga. Years back, my sister, who happens to be a yoga teacher, kept on inviting me to start yoga practice.
So what made me start?
The pandemic has a lot of effects on me both physically and mentally. December 2020, I found out that my blood cholesterol level is high so I need to do some physical exercise and of course diet. I started with a Walk at home program which resulted to me loosing weight. Though I am not really overweight. It's just that I just needed more physical activities. Walking at home was a success.
Then later on, my sister created a group chat in messenger with some of our friends who wanted to do some physical exercises with her. By the way, she has a yoga shala in Dumaguete. Because of the pandemic, face to face class was stopped. She tried doing yoga classes virtually too. That group was the start of me joining her yoga class virtually. Good thing restrictions were lifted and she started holding face to face yoga classes again. From then on, I was her virtual student together with her regular face to face students in her shala.
The Struggles
A quiet place is a prerequisite when practicing yoga. Having a small home with children around was a struggle on the first few months. I was practicing in our living room with my noisy children around LOL. But I survived! Later on, I found my quiet place in our children's bedroom. Telling them to not disturb me whenever my class is going on. So far I'm doing my practice undisturbed. They already know that whenever it is my yoga schedule, they need to be quiet.
The other struggle is the internet connection whenever the class is going on. Sometimes it is lag and slow. But I need no worry about it because I can do self-practice anyway.
Yoga Milestones
My sister is a Ashtanga Yoga teacher, so obviously, I am practicing Ashtanga Yoga. The first few practices were really full of body pains hahah though now I still have some. As I continue to practice, my body is beginning to open and have gained strength. Took me few months to be able to float doing the Chaturanga. Improvements in other poses were also a win for me.
Doing the Chaturanga. With my children around. LOL. That's my sister doing the verbal cues (online)
Created this collage of my early days of doing the practice. Far from being perfect. Needs more improvement. :D
A month ago, I was able to do the back bends. For the longest time, I had difficulty lifting my body for back bends. And finally I was able to do it!! It is not a perfect back bend though but being able to lift my body is already an achievement for me.
First Time to Practice at 8th Yoga Shala
Last March 4, 2022, My family and I had the opportunity to visit my hometown after two long years of not being able to travel there. With this visit, I was able to join one of my sister's class in her yoga shala (studio) for the first time. It was also our first time to visit her shala.
Photo credit to my sister.
After our class, I ask my husband to take a video of me doing the back bends. :D A proof that I am able to do it!
Doing the back bends and holding it for 5 breaths.
I designed the 8th yoga shala logo by the way. :)
This is back bends unlocked! I am happy for my improvement. With constant practice and commitment, I am sure I will be able to achieve more milestones in my practice. My practice is far from being perfect but I know soon I will be able to unlock more yoga poses. I am doing this for my physical and mental health.
Thank you for reaching this far. This is all for now! Do you practice Yoga? Please let me know in the comments. :)
Until next time!
Love,
Met
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