In this day and age most of us are aware of yoga as a physical discipline. This type of yoga is most often seen at our community recreation centers, or the membership gymnasium. I must confess, ever since 2008, I attempted the rec center’s version of yoga. I would head off to the center, yoga mat in my sweaty palms. As I entered the gym, right away I would allow myself to be intimidated by the 20 something wisp of a girl, whose perky body and chirpy voice were reminiscent of high school pep rallies. Calling us to order, I expected to start the session with, “READY? OKAY!”
I would strategically find my place in the group on the back row, hopefully in the corner and ALWAYS attempting to stand next to a woman who was as big or bigger then moi. After an hour or so of bending, twisting, stretching, groaning and puffing, I would leave the session feeling defeated, vowing to return ONLY after I had lost 100 or so pounds.
I practiced this personal form of torture a couple of times a year until this past summer in 2011. In July of 2011, I made a pact with several of my closest girlfriends. I committed to take baby steps toward the healthy life I had always envisioned for myself. A life I longed for and yet, somehow would always make excuses for putting off living. This time the commitment meant so much more because of the accountability of my girlfriends. One of my baby step commitments was to find a place where I could practice Yoga as I felt in my heart it was suppose to be practiced. I was looking for the spiritual dimension to Yoga. Plus I needed a safe place where I felt secure enough to overcome my hang-ups about my body image. A place where there was not a big plate glass window with a constant parade of people walking back and forth in front of that window.
I want to take a moment and share with you how I came to discover that Shambhala Wellness was the perfect place for me to practice Yoga.
I have discovered a gift these last few years of my life. When I desire something, whither it is a big desire or even the littlest desire, I write it down on my wish list in very specific terms. Then every day I read my desire out loud. As I am reading, I am envisioning the desire to be in the here and now. I see this desire as something that has already happened. I even drum up the emotions that come with getting my wish. I imagine what it will feel like, smell like, taste like, and look like. I think about the color, texture, I fill in as many details as I can. The most important factor to concentrate on, are my emotions and how I will feel once this desire becomes a reality for me. Once I have completed this little exercise all that is left to do is wait, because without fail it is just a matter of time and my wish list will be manifested into a reality. This was just the case with looking for a place where I could practice the true art of Yoga.
About one week after putting together my wish list for a place to practice Yoga, I received an email from Shambhala Wellness Center announcing the addition of a therapeutic yoga class that would be meeting once a week for one month. Now I had known that Shambhala Wellness had different types of yoga classes on a continual basis, however due to my prejudice of the rec center style of yoga, and my own discomfort with my body image, I had never explored any of those classes with my friend Johanna, the owner and founder of Shambhala Wellness.
I knew this email was my invitation from the Universe, giving me a front row opportunity to take one more baby step towards the healthy life style I had dreamed about. I sent an email to Johanna, letting her know to expect me in the new class.
In the next few weeks before the class began I researched yoga. I wanted to know just what to expect out of a yoga class. I discovered an amazing commonality between the word Yoga which is rooted in Sanskrit and the word Yoke which is rooted in Latin. Sanskrit is an ancient language that has greatly influenced the modern languages of the Indian subcontinent used in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Sanskrit is the primary liturgy language used in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Sanskrit is used in these religions much as Latin and Greek are used in Christianity. This is where I found the exciting bond between the two words. Both words mean to unify, to make one. Both words in their original definition mean to realize unity consciousness.
It was through the practice of yoga that for the first time in my life I could truly tell you that I found rest for my soul. I realized a paradox of effortless, effort, most especially in nursing school. It happened because as I let go, I connected with the unity consciousness, or unity oneness that is defined in both words Yoga and Yoke.
There are many types of Yoga. At the core of each type, is simply the practice of meditation in motion. Yoga integrates body, mind, heart and spirit into an experiential reality. Yoga crosses the boundaries of mental and emotional bodies through the physical body which promotes healing, adds therapeutic value, and enhances the spiritual impact of yoga. My desire, (wish list time), was to reach relaxation, tranquility and stillness through the practice of yoga. These three factors were huge to me for two reasons. First was the commitment I had made to my friends as well as myself to embrace a healthier life. The second reason was because I am a nursing student. At the start of each semester I vow to myself to stay above the fray of the frantic activity that comes from not coping with stress in a healthy way. It was and continues to be my desire, (wish list time), to find healthy ways to cope with the stress of nursing school. I discovered through research that through the practice of authentic yoga, harmony is restored due to connecting with the higher source which is within each of us. This source restores unity consciousness within each of us by releasing blocked channels in our emotional, mental and physical bodies.
Dr. Deepak Chopra states that “As we move towards consciousness through the practice of authentic yoga, we will spontaneously link to the source of healing power, strength and courage.” If we stay in an unconscious state our bodies are continually facing the flight or fight syndrome where merely surviving is our way of life. Many of us know what this feels like. If you have ever started your day, thinking to yourself…”If I can just make it through this day…..” That is living on the most basic level of merely surviving. I don’t know about you, but I want to live a life that relishes the moments of my day. I want to do all that I am meant to do in this life, living up to my utmost highest human potential, not just merely getting through the day.
The day of my first yoga class, I could hardly think about anything else. I knew this was a divinely appointed time for me. I headed out with a brand new yoga mat and my palms were dry. I was excited because I knew I was stepping out, embracing the life of my dreams, taking this little baby step by enrolling in the therapeutic yoga class. I walked into a room that had a beautiful hardwood floor. Soft, tranquil music was playing in the sound system. Several candles were lit around the room, lending a quite, tranquil setting. There was an overwhelming atmosphere of respect and love. I knew I had found my yoga home at Shambhala Wellness Center. I would love to tell you that I soared like an eagle through the class and was not uncomfortable at all with my body image. If I did, that would be a lie. What I can tell you is that my effort was rewarded with a new found confidence that grew with each class. The yoga class I attended at Shambhala Wellness made a difference in my school semester, as well as my weight loss journey. I left each yoga session feeling calm and centered in such a way I knew my well being did not hinge on the number of pounds I lost, or the grade on each exam. My well being came from the very center of my consciousness. I was taking responsibility for my own emotional well being. My emotional health was no longer controlled by the ever changing circumstances around me. This feeling of well being left me in such a relaxed state that my learning was enhanced and the weight just seemed to melt off of me.
By the time the Yoga class started I had already lost about 20 pounds from healthy eating. Here we are some 5 months later and I have lost a total of 40 pounds and 42 inches. My waist line has 5 inches to go and I will no longer be in the High Risk Category for the dreaded life style preventable dis-eases such as Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Heart Dis-ease.
The holidays have been a testing time for me. In the last month I have not lost a pound, however I have not gained any either and that is something to celebrate. I am going to celebrate my success by continuing with Yoga at Shambhala Wellness in 2012.
Johanna is passionate about equipping those of us who are ready to turn the corner and embrace a healthy life style, physically and spiritually. She is so committed that starting tomorrow, Monday January 2nd, for one week only; Johanna is offering Yoga classes that are FREE all week long.
Yoga Schedule:
Monday 6-7 PM: New, Kimberly will be teaching Adventure’s Yoga. Tuesday 5:30-6:30 PM: Kundalini Yoga by Jenny
Wednesday 7:00 PM Guided Meditation by Johanna (every other week)
Thursday 6:30- 7:30 PM: Beginners yoga by Shae
Then on Sunday January 22nd from 4:00pm – 5:30pm Shae will be teaching Restorative Yoga. The cost is $30 for this class.
The physical address of Shambhala Wellness is:
Shambhala Wellness
215 E University Drive
Denton TX 76209
Phone: 940-380-8728
www.shambhalawellness.com
Johanna@shambhalawellness.com
I Hope to see you at one of these classes. Let us know if you plan to attend, as space is limited. You may contact Johanna at the above email address. I am sure that one or more of these Yoga classes will be the perfect fit for you. I plan on taking advantage of this educational opportunity.
I am trusting that 2012 will be the start of a healthier new you.
Happy New Year!!!
By Melanie Whyte
