"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken" – Oscar Wilde Michelle L. Flaim, B.A, R.Y.T. I graduated from Fordham University in 2003 with degrees in English and Theology. It was the summer after college that I decided to take my first yoga class to compliment the physical therapy I was attending for an injured shoulder. I still remember my first yoga class: Do I really need to take my socks off? How will my body get into all these strange positions and better yet will I be able to get out of them? Namasté – what is this new language? Why do my wrists hurt? I soon realized that yoga was unlike any physical activity I had done in the past as it was an exercise for my mind and body. From my practice, I have learned that it is safer to do yoga with bare feet so you get better traction on the mat. I now know that my body may never get into all those poses and that is ok. Namasté defined as “the inner light in me recognizes the inner light in you and in that recognition is our Oneness” is from the ancient Sanskrit language. I also know that it is common for beginners’ wrists to hurt and it will eventually go away with more practice. However, the most valuable thing that yoga has provided me are Yoga Moments. Besides all the wonderful physical benefits I have received from my practice, yoga has increased my concentration, focus, and allowed me to feel present. Yoga has helped me to remember the importance of each day in my life. I have learned not to go into the office on a Monday already wishing it was the weekend. In a society where everything is about instant gratification and material possessions are highly valued, yoga challenges and reminds me to stay present and focus on what really matters. I have found my yoga practice to be very therapeutic and have called on it during some very difficult times in my life. Yoga Moments have kept me grounded and allow me to strive to become a well-balanced, caring, sincere, and loving person. My intention is to provide a safe and non-threatening environment for students to practice yoga. Yoga has been such a wonderful experience in my life and I want to share this gift with others. I have already learned so much from all of my students and hope that I am able to share as much with them as they have with me. Namasté, |
