My time on the mat began with a few sporadic classes to balance out a new fitness regime. I was in my early thirties and began noticing my high metabolism was not all I could rely on to stay healthy. Group classes motivated me to go to the gym, and I mixed up my options to include everything from step classes (yup, I did step classes), to weight training, and I started to balance it out by including a few Yoga classes.
I knew I needed to stretch, and at the same time I was inspired most by classes that made me move and sweat (even without a hot Yoga room). The continuous movement made the classes fly by, until the final resting pose – savasana. I loathed the end of class. It meant I needed to lie in stillness, be quiet, and attempt to meditate. The five minutes felt like twenty minutes with my monkey mind moving so fast I couldn’t keep up. I didn’t see the point. I was finished with my work out and I wanted to be the first to the showers so I didn’t have to queue up while attempting not to get my clean towel wet with sweat.
One morning a teacher played a song during savasana that stirred up meaningful memories. Tears dripped from the corners of my eyes. I felt my entire body on the mat that day including the emotions that were being released from me. I stayed behind until the room was cleared out and slowly I rolled up my mat. I felt lighter. I was more aware of my surroundings. My body and my emotions felt connected.
The experience intrigued me and I started to attend more Yoga classes. The final resting pose began to feel comfortable. The brief morning meditations became something I yearned for at the end of class. They helped me begin my day with a clean slate.
My restless mind was ready to be free and my spiritual journey had begun.
About the Author:
Melanie Krepp is a Certified E-RYT 500 and Sober Coach residing in Kelowna, British Columbia. Her Yoga journey began in 2008 and she became a certified teacher in 2015. Her teaching includes Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, and Alignment Yogas, as well as pranayama.
