From: thewellnessjess.com
When I first started practicing yoga, I was overweight, uncomfortable
in my own skin, uncoordinated and completely out of shape. I had been
reading about it for awhile and the whole thing seemed very foreign, but
also extremely intriguing. I had taken a couple of yoga classes at the
gyms in my area and I loved the concept, but I always felt so…
unwelcome. Everybody around me was slim and seemed to know what they
were doing, while I was a total beginner and felt completely ungraceful
and gross. There were mirrors and fluorescent lights everywhere forcing
me to see how awful I looked. I had extremely low self esteem and barely
any self worth, it was almost intimidating for me to be around all of
these powerful people. It also didn’t help that it SERIOUSLY broke my
wallet. ($110 a month? How could anybody afford that?) But I knew that
yoga brought this peace in my heart that I had never felt before, and
that I needed to purse it.
My very first yoga class was at a hot yoga studio (totally not my
thing) and it was labeled a “beginner” class. This woman who was clearly
advanced, broke out into a headstand in the middle of the class while
we were all in downward facing dog. The teacher started congratulating
her and telling her how great her form looked. Don’t get me wrong, I’m
all for positive reinforcement, but though she was giving her the
positive energy- I was over in my flimsy downward dog, and it made me
feel so weak. I knew at that moment that I needed to find a
studio that gave me the comfort I needed in such a vulnerable state.
Because really, that’s how I felt, vulnerable.
I searched and searched for a place that would fit into my waitress
wallet, along with the comfort, love and support that I felt I so needed
in a yoga studio. I almost gave up, and then- the universe lead me to
Power Edge Yoga Fitness. I found a groupon online and immediately knew I
had to try it. I tried a class the following week and completely fell
in love, and that is when my life started to change forever.
Not only are the people absolutely wonderful with the kindest of hearts, but the environment is so, welcoming.
Everything I had ever wanted in a yoga studio was completely apparent
when I entered that door. I started going three or four times a week and
I just felt like I couldn’t get enough. The true beauty of finding a
place like Power Edge, is I was able to fully surrender to my practice.
I was able to leave my worries at the door and when I walked into that
building all I thought about was myself, my self care and my practice.
No to-do lists, no homework on my mind, no stressful thoughts of bills
or grocery-store-lists, just me and my practice. A strong, empowered
practice like that is what killed my inner self hate, its what helped me
to realize how much I really matter and how much love and gratitude I
had in my heart. The studio helped me to fall in love with myself again,
and for that I am forever thankful.
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