One beautiful step at a time.

Went to a fabulous class yesterday. I feel satisfied that I found my Marin teacher. Since I moved out of the city where my former mentor teaches, I have been looking for another teacher to study with close to my home. This teacher I went to yesterday studied under the same teacher as my former mentor. They were both students of Sarah Powers'. I felt so at home in the class yesterday, and also sufficiently challenged. I modified a lot of the poses to meet me where I am now. When the teacher asked us to choose an intention for our practice I chose "one beautiful step at a time.". A reminder for me to take it easy. Go at my own pace. Resist the competitive urge to try too hard because that could cause injury. Also the intention is to remind me to mentally stay present as opposed to dreaming about the kind of yoga body and life that I think I want to have in the future. I am here now. This is my body now. Doesn't it feel wonderful!?

The modifications I made were either for my wrists (which have long history of tendonitis flare ups), my abdominal and pelvic floor muscles (which need strengthening after having two babies), and my hamstrings (which could gain more flexibility). I am careful to back off if I feel I'm getting close to that "edge". I know from experience how pushing too hard can actually slow me down instead of speed me up.

This photo is of a yogini Christmas tree ornament that a good friend gave me 5 or so years ago when I was just beginning to teach yoga. She (the yogini figurine) sits under the rear view mirror in my car and reminds me to breathe. She's been there the last few years patiently waiting for me to come back to a regular practice. Isn't she lovely.