Yoga class 2

9/29/15
Teacher: Betsy

This morning I took class at 9:15 with Betsy at Yoga Nine. This was not my first class with Betsy but I really enjoyed it. I feel like after I have been taking classes about 3 times a week I am improving my techniques and realizing what I like and what I don't like, and what I need more practice on. Today the room was much hotter than usual and it kind of made me feel like I was taking a hot yoga practice like we discussed in class on Monday. I feel like now that I have some insight into the culture of different types of yoga, I am getting a fuller experience in my practice. Since watching the movies "Naked in Ashes" and "Enlighten Up!" I am really noticing how different western yoga is from eastern yoga. Sometimes while practicing I realize I have been becoming more involved in focusing on my breath and letting go of the outside world, making me feel so much lighter when I leave the studio. This class and the movies we watched are making me have a greater understanding of the yoga I practice in relation to all the other branches of yoga out in the world that I have been missing out on. I am excited to learn more & start practicing new things!

Feeling: light

Yoga class 1:

9/14/2015
Teacher: Marcellus

Today I experienced my first meditation class. I have taken yoga classes a lot in the past, but never a class specifically for meditation. He began the class with a quote which was very inspiring to me, and then he talked our way through "flow" meditation. At first it was difficult for me to completely relax and understand what I was supposed to be feeling, but as the practice continued I began to feel lighter. It seemed as if all my stress and any pain I had just disappeared. I recently hurt my knee last weekend and it hurt when I walked into the class, but after my class I realized I forgot all about it! I related this experience of meditation to the movie we watched in class today called, "Enlighten up!" because it reminded me of what all the yogis in India were explaining their experience as. They seemed so peaceful and "lighter" from practicing meditation regularly; and I would like to feel like that as well. This practice of "flow" meditation was an intense experience and I definitely want to continue to practice every week between taking my yoga classes.

Feeling: inspired