What do I love about yoga? How has yoga and meditation changed my life? Why do I practice at Bella Prana?
There is no simple answer to these very profound questions, given that I am constantly reflecting on all that I have gained from yoga with every practice! But there are a few, obvious things that certainly come to mind. One of my life mantras is “repetitio est mater studiorum,” which is Latin for “repetition is the mother of studying.” This has been the foundation and approach to many aspects of my life, namely academic responsibilities but certainly yoga as well.
Yoga not only feeds my Type A personality but also relieves it at the same time. The discipline is fun, challenging, frustrating, invigorating and rewarding all at the same time! The key is that the more I challenge myself, the more I am forced to accept only the present moment in order to attempt and intend mastery in a pose. This itself is a relief from my frequently scattered “monkey mind” and to-do lists that so easily accumulate every day!
The practice alone is not only an escape from my regular mental preoccupations, but I have unexpectedly and so enjoyably developed a special relationship with my “yoga family” at Bella Prana. No matter what happened before I walk into the studio, the same smiling faces, dedicated yogis and inspiring teachers warmly remind me of the numerous benefits of practicing with them. Not only have I learned so much about the important balance between physical and mental health with yoga, but at Bella Prana I have discovered new feats that I never thought I would achieve! Often, going to an evening class is the excitement that gets me through my day!