“Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of that which you really love” - Rumi
As the fastest growing physical activity in North America, most have in one way or another, heard of or has been introduced to yoga, and for many, it has touched or continues to touch their lives on a daily basis. Everyday I am asked how yoga came to be such an integral part of my own life, and so at last, I felt as though I was ready to share.
Teaching on the rooftop in India
How Yoga Found Me
It is curious now looking back on my earliest experiences with Yoga. I can remember trying it for the first time back when I was still in high school, and also later at the local gym in my hometown. The class was overly packed, the teacher was difficult to understand, and I felt a little out of place at the time. Still, I went to two or three more classes at the gym, and despite my knack for yoga, I became disinterested because I did not feel inspired. In retrospect, I believe this was because I did not connect or relate to that teacher in the same way that I did with my “yoga mom” later on in life. Regardless, I have come to understand that the universe has a special plan in it for each of us, and at the time, I was simply not ready or in a place to appreciate the great change it would later have on my life.
More years would pass, and it was not until I was in university during summer vacation that I would find myself reacquainted with yoga again. At the time I can remember feeling bored by the monotony of my daily life. I was living in Guelph with my then boyfriend, far enough out of town that I felt slightly secluded, and admittedly, uninspired. Many of my friends had gone back home for the summer and so only a few remained, most of which were occupied with their day jobs. My lifestyle differed in that I was working nights at a club, and so my days were mostly free with little to do.
Being a student of the nutrition program, I knew the importance of eating a balanced and wholesome diet. That being said, I had not yet found my niche in the world of physical activity. I loved going for long hikes and getting lost in the trails for hours with my dog, however I knew I needed something more. So, in seeking much needed inspiration, I started looking for local fitness classes that might fit into my backwards schedule.
I came across classes offered by the lovely Carolyn Weatherson, at her school – Maha Pura Yoga – which happened to be located conveniently down the street from where I was working. I can still remember my first class vividly – what a great workout! At the time, all I was seeking was a good workout and nothing more, but was I ever in for a treat!
As the summer progressed, I started attending more and more of her classes. I just couldn’t get enough. Although I had always been flexible, I had not stretched regularly since my dancing and gymnastics days many years earlier. Seeing significant improvements with every class was really motivating me to stick with it.
I can remember always looking for praise or acknowledgement from her with my progress, and it is funny how this sticks out in my mind. As a teacher now, I always offer praise to my students for their dedication to their practice.
I became so obsessed with getting the poses right, I started to memorize how Carolyn led us through each one. I could sometimes even anticipate what was coming next, even though her classes were not scripted like many of the larger yoga chains. I could not help but want to learn more!
Come summer’s end, there was mention about a teacher training she was just starting. I expressed my desire to her that I wanted to learn more about yoga and she invited me to attend. Initially, I went only with the intention of simply learning more about yoga, the poses, and the proper alignment. Instead, I emerged with a whole new career and life path.
I had a lot of growing up to do in that time, and I have come a long way since that summer, and most importantly, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that yoga has afforded me to slow down against the torrent of everyday, to be open, to listen, to reflect, to change, and ultimately, to grow for betterment.
My Personal Development
With time and practice, my senses have become and continue to be heightened. I have gained a new sensitivity and awareness. I am able to appreciate the beauty in things, in ways that I never could before. Yoga naturally helped me to create balance. It has allowed me to know my body and rhythm, and to recognize when I am out of sync both on and off the mat. I now feel so in tune with my physical body, and that is something I did not know existed before I had yoga.
Retrospectively, entering Carolyn’s yoga class that day was a turning point in my life. I was at a point in my life where I could have taken an entirely different direction. Thankfully, the universe took me by the hand and led me to this beautifully blessed life that I live today. All those things I so desperately feared to let go of during that phase slowly and naturally fell away without any pain at all. Through my journey, I was able to transcend the low energy environment that I had become submersed in, one obstacle at a time, as I began to grow.
Since then, yoga has brought me hundreds of positive experiences and opportunities. I am so grateful that it came into my life when it did. It enabled me to soar out of a very dark place. I have learned more applicable information from my 200-hour teacher training than in all my years of traditional schooling combined. Through yoga, I was able to explore my physical body and I was given the space to grow and develop, both in my mind and my career, in ways I could have never imagined before.
Half Bow Pose
My Daily Visualization
In my mind, I am on a 5-year plan. I am going to work as hard as I can for the next 5 years and take on every opportunity that comes my way. I know this time frame will be an adventure in and of itself. Thinking long term, it is my goal to travel the world with yoga –learning, teaching, inspiring and empowering others to overcome personal obstacles and bring about positive change. It is my intention to positively influence as many lives as I possibly can in my own lifetime, with the hope that they too will continue the circularity if this process. I want to make a difference in this world and sharing my passion is the best, and truthfully, the only way I know how. I’ve known that this is my path for a while now and as I stay true to myself, I can feel and see it taking shape in and around me, for it is the same love that inspired me to begin with.
Namaste
- Gillian
