How I learned yoga
In what seems like a lifetime ago, (but was actually 1997) I saved up $49 (which was a lot of money back then, considering my family was low income and I was just 13 years old) and bought a Set of 3 VHS tapes about Yoga; 1 tape each for Flexibility, Strength, and Relaxation. It came with a yoga mat. I would shut myself away in my room for hours a day and do yoga. It was summertime, I lived out in the country with not much to do, and I had nothing else going on in my life. I had plenty of time for yoga.
I wasn't encouraged to play sports, so I wasn't athletic. I didn't know anything about team sports and I really never had a competitive bone in my body. I also didn't want to be a burden to anyone and have to ask for rides to get to sports practices and games. I copied the eating behaviors of my three older brothers, so I definitely ate more than a petite girl like me should have. I was overweight, not flexible at all, and incredibly insecure. With yoga, I didn't have to worry about any of that.
Those hours I spent practicing yoga every day felt so good to me when few other things did. I was determined to improve my body and my life. I practiced yoga daily and I started seeing and feeling improvements rather quickly. I wasn't able to do a lot at first, but I eventually got better and was able to do all of the poses without modifications. I share before and after pictures here. I added a couple other VHS tapes to my collection over the years and when I eventually joined group yoga classes out in public, I was able to keep up like a pro.
I know how valuable it is to know yoga. Each of the 8 limbs of yoga helps us create better lives. My daughter is 6 years old and has started practicing yoga with me. I've guided her through relaxing meditations at bedtime before and she loves getting into poses next to me on the mat. I find comfort knowing that I'm passing on to her the many lessons yoga has taught me.
