I am busy writing a yoga gear website that should be live sometime in early spring. I will keep you poste. I study yoga and have for about 15 years in a loose sort of fashion so the writing gig is a natural fit for me. Currently, my two yoga instructors are beautiful, agile, young women with lovely energy. I enjoy them both immensely. Last night in my class, thanks to having spent the day with yoga words flowing out my finger tips, my mind drifted back to my first yoga class at the very drafty and creaky Delhi Rec Centre in Guelph and my first yoga instructor.
Gerta, was a marvel to behold. A tiny, graceful 70 plus year old woman with the calm of a summer breeze would sweep into the room with her gentleman of a husband in tow, he carrying her little box of props. He would promptly leave as the 20 or so of us yogis settled on our yoga mats.
Over the next 90 minutes, Gerta would lead us through a vigourous yoga class that pinnacled with Head Stand which she always demonstrated to perfection. I was in awe. Her firm yet friendly instruction inspired even the most timid to progress. And eventually I found myself doing an unassistetd Head Stand.
It was very evident by Gerta’s strength and flexibility that yoga was good for your health. In fact, I have since learned that
yoga is excellent for stimulating your lymphatic flow and detoxification of the lymph glands. In some circles, this is being touted as a way of reducing your risk of breast cancer.
During final relaxation, Gerta would end our classes by reciting the following passage by
Thich Nhat Hanh. I still use this quote as my mantra. Especially good during times when I’ve forgotten to breath or have decided that what going on isn’t perfect.
Breathing in I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment.
SR
