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20 days of yoga classes at Lila Yoga Toronto

Part 3 of a 4 part series

Day 20 at Lila Yoga

At the start of my 30-day yoga challenge at Lila Yoga, everyday felt like a journey and an achievement. But now, going to yoga class every day feels “normal.” Though it is not always easy to be present and breathe into the various pains and tensions in my body, I am accepting the challenge and the practise of “being with” rather than trying to change anything. Meditation is becoming a bit easier, I am moving more easily … but my yoga pants are still as tight as they were on day 1! (Weight loss is a life goal for me right now, but not really a point of the yoga challenge.)

Day 11 – 13

Day 11 was a very small intimate Flow class with Sahara, and she created a warm and supportive atmosphere — but in a small class like this, there is no where to hide! I felt very clunky, not flow-y at all. Late in the class, she massaged my head, and I felt grief and other sad emotions welling up. Outside, the bleakness of late winter and my own turbulent emotions made me aware of the polarities of two energetic forces within me, the positive and the negative. Day 12 was Hatha with Shelly and I really struggled. It was a stressful time for me personally, and the slow pace of the class made it paradoxically hard for me to settle down. A lot of difficult emotions welled up, and my left hip was causing me real pain when I moved. That night, I slept badly, and was filled with restless energy. On Day 13 I accidentally went to Yoga for Absolute Beginners with Melissa — and in truth, I do feel like an absolute beginner these days. The slow pace was challenging for me — I felt stiff and resistant. But I fell into a deep shavasana. I can see how anyone, no matter how “advanced,” could benefit from a beginner class like this. Continue Reading →