Kat the Yogi

Tonight I went to Yoga. In my head Yoga has never equaled relaxation. I can breathe my way through a lot of things but breathing through a posture that feels completely unnatural to me is not something I would consider myself good at. Last night I fought my way through child’s pose (the rest posture in Yoga) and as I stayed there with my forehead and nose smashed into the mat I listened. I listened to the sound of the instructor’s voice, the sound of other’s breath, the thoughts racing in my head, the story of the clouds blocking out our joy, and finally my own breath. Although I couldn’t quite make the ocean noise with my tongue pressed to the roof of my mouth I could feel the in and out of the waves. I got lost in the waves and the clearing of my thoughts. All of the racing thoughts raced their way right out of my toes and fingertips. The water droplet that hit the mat during downward facing dog- it wasn’t sweat; it was the tear that you needed to shed in that exact moment.

I felt grounded. Home. Relaxed and energized. Proud.

Reflecting on tonight’s work I feel privileged. There is something so amazing that comes from watching your friend do something that she has found herself in. You are aware of the sacrifices she made to get there, the joy she finds when firmly grounded in her own mat. There is not another voice in the world I would want to guide me through a Vinyasa.

You weren’t aware of the nervousness in her voice. To you she is fierce, strong, and loyal. I am privileged to be a part of her second class. Privileged to know such a great woman.