How did you get started in Yoga?
I started my yoga practice over 20 years ago. At the time, my practice was more about increasing flexibility and building strength. Over the years my practice has evolved.
Although I still appreciate all of the benefits on the body, my practice is now about finding balance and being more mindful about what my body needs as well as exploring the benefits for the mind and soul.
What does yoga mean to you in your life today?
To me, yoga is the practice of meeting yourself on your mat. Its a practice of mindfulness and its also a practice of awareness of your body, your breath and your thoughts. When we take the time to slow down we can become aware of what we need, either in our practice, or in our lives.
Whether we need to move and boost our energy levels, or if we need to be more mindful and take care of ourselves. Its all about finding balance. I find yoga a great...
How did you get started in yoga?
As a child I was a gymnast, so flexibility was always part of my life. After being injured in my teens I was searching for something else. After several "failed" attempts of team sports (soccer, volleyball, baseball) my Mom brought me to her Yoga class, I remember thinking "this is for people my moms age and older!" However during that class something happened, something I cant explain I just felt "it".
What does yoga mean to you in your life today?
To me yoga is more than these fancy arm balance pretzel poses. It is something you take with you off your mat day to day. I acknowledge that I am not a perfect human and at times show colours of anger, frustration, sadness, anxiety etc. I then remind myself it is a practice, and I have tools (such as my breath) to help ease these emotional states.
What is your favourite type of yoga and why?
My...
My Yoga Story - Margarita Garcia. How did you get started in yoga?
I have been doing yoga on and off for about ten or fifteen years, mostly hatha based or hot yoga but it wasn't until I got into Kundalini Yoga that I realized how much I loved it and how it became a way of life. Kundalini yoga helped me find my own way through life's challenges, helping me heal. My son's caregiver at the time had just begun her Kundalini Yoga Teacher training and I remember thinking every time I saw her how radiant she looked, how driven with passion and joy. So I asked her what it was all about, and attended one of her classes, the seed was planted and for the next five years while I navigated the painful, difficulties of a separation with three young children at home, I knew I needed Kundalini Yoga.
What does yoga mean to you in your life today?
For me...
How did you get started in yoga?
My intro to Yoga came with a curiosity about stretching. I used to run long distance and slowly began to explore different styles of stretching more deeply. Around this time a good friend introduced me to meditation. As a result, I was lead to Yoga asana and began reading books and watching videos and DVDs. Eventually I gave up running and began to focus more deeply on Yoga and meditation gradually developing a consistent practice over the past 17 years.
What does yoga mean to you in your life today?
Yoga to me is all about striving for sacred balance in all areas including mind, body and spirit. It's also about establishing and learning to maintain authentic connections to self and others. I'm a recovering addict working a lifelong program of recovery from active addiction; this life path and Yoga practice compliment one another beautifully. One of my spirit guides always reminds me that spiritual...
How did you get started in yoga?
My first introduction to yoga was when I was four years old. I would watch my Mom practice in our living room and she would show me some of the postures. It was so beautiful and quiet and felt so special. I rediscovered yoga in my early 30's. I'd tried running, team sports and the gym but those didn't work for me. I wanted something that would help me feel stronger in body and mind. I decided to try out the yoga centre in our neighbourhood, PranaShanti. As soon as I walked in the door, I recognized that special feeling I'd felt as a child doing yoga with my Mom. After that class, I felt strong, calm and relaxed. It was great!
What does yoga mean to you in your life today?
Yoga is not just something I do sometimes, it has become an important part of how I live. It supports my body by...
