When I began attending Yoga Centre Winnipeg a few years ago, I had only practiced yoga a handful of times. I had recently sustained a hand injury and a physiotherapist recommended a regular yoga practice. I started with a trauma sensitive yoga program at YCW and gradually over the next few weeks and months my hand was feeling much better. Over time I made a full recovery, and I believe this was due in part to the fact that I had increased the amount of exercise I had been doing. Yoga is more accessible to me than jogging or weight training for instance. Plus, I like the breath focus and meditation that yoga practice offers.
Feeling more limber and stronger than I had in some years, I began taking beginner classes. Over the next weeks and months, I saw that my balance improved along with my energy level, digestion, and sleep. As I practiced, I became more confident, and curious, so I tried the various yoga styles that YCW offers. I was guided by the studio’s very helpful and knowledgeable staff to attend classes based on my experience. Over the next year I attended various workshops offered by YCW, including meditation classes, a workshop focusing on hips, and a restorative practice workshop. I was feeling better and learning how to feel better.
Yoga brought me to notice how my body was responding – to the yoga poses, to foods, to the weather, to stress, to everything, and the more connected I became to how I was feeling and to my breathing, the more interested I became in learning more. I then embarked on YCW’s two-year (200-hour) teacher training program and I haven’t looked back!
When I reflect on this past year since the start of the pandemic, I think of how YCW yoga classes have been the only activity for me that hasn’t been disrupted! When the closures first began, my skepticism of how I would feel about online classes quickly turned into gratitude. I’ve been able to continue my learning, work towards my teacher training certification, and keep active while being at home so much more.
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