My first class ♥
Why did I start practicing yoga?
What does yoga mean to me?
Do you remember that high school friend who was always up for something new and wanted you to follow him/her? Well, I had one of those friends. One day she came up to us and asked, “Would you like to come with me to yoga?” We all looked at her wondering “What´s yoga?!” She smiled and then continued talking about how good it is for the mind & body and how flexible you become. She trained horseback riding and she needed to loosen her hips up. None of the other three girls wanted to try it out, but me being curious of what this yoga thing was, I said “I´ll try!”.
Later that week we went for the first trial class. It was an ashtanga class. Class started and we sat meditating and singing some funny words. Later I realized that this was a mantra. This was done both to open and close the class. In a strange way, I liked it. I felt like I´ve already been here before, like I was meant to be there. The actual practice was really hard and I was surprised that it required so much effort! What surprised me the most, were the strong older women in class. Their strength amazed me and fueled me with more energy! The most rewarding time during the practice was when we were able to lay down, flat on the mat & simply relax. WOW! THAT was powerful! For the first time in my life, I felt light & heavy at the same time! I felt liberated and rejuvenated. Despite that we were ten people in a small fitness room in the back of the gym in central Malmö, I felt home. I didn’t know what it was at that time, but I knew, deep down I knew, that this was my intended path that I needed to explore, no matter what it took.
Natalia & I continued going to yoga together for a few times, and then she stopped, because it was too far away from her home. I decided that I wanted to continue. For the first time in my life, I felt that I had found something that I really, truly liked. I wasn´t a sporty type, and was actually quite lazy. Yoga made me feel empowered and strong. Like I could take on just about anything. The practice certainly helped me find mental clarity. As a 15 year-old teenager, I had a lot on my mind, and I didn´t know how to deal with it. The practice helped me overcome any obstacle I had. My friends and family could see that I was happier and filled with energy.
Another reason for why I started practicing regularly, was to better manage my diabetes. I´ve had diabetes type 1 since the age of seven. Yoga helped me regulate my blood sugar and my emotions. Yoga is truly everything to me. It´s a lifestyle that I wouldn´t want to be without. No matter what happens around me, I know I can always turn to my practice anywhere, anytime.
