By Ashley Garman | SDUN Reporter
Yoga is a growing practice, with over fifteen million Americans participating and another eighteen million interested in trying it out. For those of you in the latter category, I’m right there with you. My mission: to attend my first yoga class and share what I learn with other rookie yogis. My source: Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga in Normal Heights.
I was running late, as usual. Trying to maneuver the streets, I parallel parked in a space way too tiny and dropped my water bottle on the ground in my haste to get to the door on time- probably not the best way to start my first yogaexperience. As a chronic worrywart, I was overanalyzing my preparation for the class, perhaps a clue as to how much I could benefit from such a calming practice.
After checking in, I turned off my cell phone (a painful thing for an on-the-goer like me), took off my sandals, and entered the studio. Light blue walls: check. Lavender scent in the air: check. Bamboo flute music playing softly: check. All the ingredients for relaxation were present.
The instructor, Brenna, encouraged us to close our eyes and breathe to transition from the outside world. “Some see yoga as an escape from the world, but it’s also a new way of seeing the world,” she said in a calm voice. I resisted taking notes.
Looking around at the other students, I was surprised at the array of people practicing yoga. There was a middle-aged woman with curly hair down to her waist, a young athletic couple and a 60-something year old man in a cut-off screen tee for a motorcycle club.
Though Brenna didn’t ask if anybody was new to yoga, I’m sure my body language gave it away. My brow was wrinkled up as I strove to breath and pose “correctly.” I kept stealing glances around the room to see
what everyone else was doing. There were students of all levels, but each individual seemed comfortable and content with their own abilities. The laid back vibe along with the music and tone of Brenna’s voice must have seeped into my body and mind because I was finally able to let go of my skepticism and anxiety. My resistance melted away and I embraced the “sweet stillness.”
The class finished with an exchange of “Namaste,” though it has many interpretations, here it meant there is a light in me and there is a light in you; together we are one. This idea of connectedness is at the base of
yogic practice. Rachel LaBarre, an instructor at Pilgrimage of the Heart, said yoga is a spiritual path that helps us realize our true nature.
Sujantra McKeever, founder of Pilgrimage of the Heart, said that yoga has a large spectrum of what it can offer. People come for a variety of reasons, such as the physical or mental relaxation to the emotional stimulation or deep reflection of your being.
Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga strays away from specializing in one area of interest and instead prides itself on being a pure form of yoga that is accessible to anyone. For beginners, LaBarre suggests gentle, or restorative yoga: a slow paced practice with mild stretching. Hatha yoga is also good for beginners and is
offered at three levels. Hatha is also practiced at a slow pace and focuses on alignment of the body
and breathing.
For those who are looking for a bit more of a chal-lenge, vinyasa yoga provides a cardiovascular workout. The postures are a bit more challenging and are linked to breathing: one posture, one breath. Hot yoga, also recommended for veterans, involves the same poses as vinyasa but in a heated environment that allows for deeper stretching and releasing toxins.
Because yoga encompasses body, mind, emotions and breath, meditation and philosophy classes are offered free of charge, a tradition McKeever learned from his teacher Sri Chinmoy.
Unlimited yoga memberships at Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga are $65 per month and can be used at the Normal Heights location or at the new North Park location at 3800 30th Street. Individual class rates are also available.
As for me, I walked away from my gentle yoga class feeling emotionally uplifted, mentally relaxed, and with significantly less tension in my muscles.
