The Power of Yoga

I couldn’t wait to escape my house. The never ending snow and school closings, a case of strep (my youngest daughter), a cold (my older daughter), and an injured husband (from soccer), I desperately craved some me time.

I had heard that Exhale Yoga had recently moved to South Livingston Avenue and was now called Ignite Yoga. Daniele Jarman, the co-owner of Ignite Yoga is partnering with Agnes Tengerdy. The new studio now offers various classes such as Hot Yoga, Chakra Therapy, and Yin Yoga. I decided to head over on a recent Friday morning to check it out.

Jarman was teaching the Vinyasa Flow Open Flow class. As I set up my mat on the floor, I looked around the serene studio. The words Dream and Believe were displayed in front. I sat down and forced myself to turn off my blackberry. I needed to a break from the blinking red light. I told myself that if the school happened to call telling me about a sick child, my husband, who was working from home that day, would be able to pick her up.

Turns out I wasn’t the only Mommy in the room. I couldn’t help but overhear other conversations happening all around me. The woman to my right was talking about her sick child; she was amazed she was functioning since her child had kept her awake all night. The woman in front of me shared how she was still recovering from a c-section.

Jarman, herself a mother of three daughters, began the class by gently asking us to focus on our breaths. For the next 75 minutes she guided us through a vigorous Vinyasa class. We did planks, downward dogs and Warrior asanas, aka, poses all the while music played in the background. While we flowed from asana to asana, Jarman inspired us with her words.

“No matter where you are, it is perfect. You are exactly where you are supposed to be.”

During a particularly challenging series of poses, she reminded us to enjoy ourselves. “Let go of any expectations or worries. This is supposed to be fun.” It was exactly what I needed to hear.

One never-ending component of a yoga practice is to remain focused on your breath. Yet, when you are trying to get into headstand and trying desperately not to fall over, it can be hard to remember to breathe! In this way, yoga is a practice that serves a body, both in and out of class. If we can remember to stop whatever is going on and take a few moments to take deep, full breaths, it can make the biggest difference. Again, I needed to remember that.

As with all yoga classes, the class ended with savasana, or corpse pose. This is the time for total relaxation and where your body has a chance to absorb all the activities that have taken place. Unfortunately, time went by so quickly.

I was sad when it ended.     

The woman who was recovering from her c-section seemed to feel the same way. She burst into tears as she told Jarman how good it felt to have taken the time to practice yoga. Jarman gave her a loving hug. Clearly, we all need some time to ourselves.