20 Years of Yoga Practice 1994 – 2014
Imagine being at Luna Park in Melbourne mid January. You spot these colourful plastic bubbles, intrigued you walk towards them when suddenly a thought comes to your mind, one that does not leave you for the rest of the day.
“Bubbles, yes, I have to burst the bubble of belief that all yoga teachers are bendy. THEY ARE NOT! The bubble that they all have a gymnastics background, are ex-dancers or gained medals in calisthenics. NOT TRUE!” That was my thought. So here I said it: no natural flexibility nor pre-learned or programmed abilities. None of this is true for this 48year old mama of two and wife to one. I am simply a normal person, with a desire to fulfill my full potential, the desire to move and a curiosity about the body mind-connection. Not more, not less! A lot like you really!
Let me explain: The local gym (Recreation Armadale) was where I attended my first yoga class with Robert Byrne (now Yogareal Albert Park) and immediately felt the potential of this ‘movement modality’ and started a beginners yoga course with Jacqui Brumley (now Hawthorn/Malvern Yoga Centre) back in 1994.
From 1994 until this year, 2014, I have been feeling what you feel, and continue to do so. For our physical body, our muscles and our joints, to become and then to stay flexible, mobile, agile and healthy, we need to keep a regular yoga practice. We need to keep moving. And for anything we want to get better at, we need to keep practicing, practicing well.
So if I can get comfortable in a straight leg forward bend over the course of 20 years, so can you. No NATURAL BENDINESS required. Consistent commitment and practice no matter how long or how frequent, and the ability to celebrate small victories will get you there. And you too will feel your hamstrings lengthen over time, your core muscles strengthening so you can improve your posture and reduce your lower back pain. And you will feel your front chest and shoulder muscles lengthen, allowing you to stand up straight, reduce neck, upper back and head pain. Not to mention the mental and energetic benefits you will obtain. Think improved confidence, improved feeling of self-worth and compassion. Oh I feel another thought for a blog post coming on…
I sincerely hope this has burst your bubble and inspired you to take action and start moving today. Simply roll out your mat, swing legs up the wall, breathe in then breathe out. Release all expectations and purely enjoy the journey. Now celebrate!
Anything you want to share? Please leave me a comment or two.
Happy practicing, Bettina.