Yoga in Paradise

My love of yoga began about 8 years ago. 

When I was 17, I was diagnosed (that sounds so serious!) with Degenerative Disk Disease and had a herniated disk in my lumbar. A few years later I was in college, going to class all day, carrying heavy textbooks, sitting for long periods of time, and all this (plus the extreme lack of exercise in my busy life)  contributed to severe back pain. It got so bad that some days I couldn't sit through a 50 minute class. I'd sit as long as I could until my back hurt too much, then stand until my back hurt, then repeat. It was so stressful to be in so much pain when I was trying hard to focus and do well in my classes! 

Luckily Sean and I found out that the indoor rock climbing gym we had new memberships at held Yoga classes in the mornings for free! So, I started going in hopes of strengthening my back and abs so I could have less pain. And guess what? Within 3 months of going 3 times a week, I was almost pain free! What a huge blessing and a relief. I loved going to class at the Quarry. I would drive over there in the cold of winter while it was still dark outside, and we did sun salutations as we watched the sun rise over the mountain tops. It was so wonderful to have my body and mind strengthened and I felt I also learned how to focus better mentally. So I've tried to do yoga as much as possible throughout pregnancy and motherhood so I can keep my back strong. I'm hoping to end my sporadic yoga practices and make it a more consistent exercise in my life. Yoga helps me feel more at peace on the inside, helps me with balance and flexibility, increases my ability to focus and teaches me how to be more intentional and mindful. And of course it's a great workout! 

The classes I go to are here in town at Casa Coba and are taught by a wonderful lady named Carina. She's from Switzerland and has a lovely accent and a soothing voice. She's my favorite yoga instructor that I've ever had! And she has created a beautiful space for her classes with lush gardens and a peaceful open-air studio. I'm so happy to have found this class! Maybe next time  you see me I'll look like THIS! (Is surf board yoga really a thing?)

 On my way to class. My Dad got me this fantastic yoga mat for christmas a long time ago and I've loved having a really nice mat all these years! Thanks Dad!

 We walk through Carina's beautiful gardens to get to the yoga studio at the back of the property. It's a nice little journey over a bridge that makes me feel more removed from the outside world and better able to focus. 

 It doesn't look very big in this picture, but it's a good sized area with huge yellow curtains and bamboo dividers. 

 Isn't she amazing?! Carina is so kind and helpful, she always goes around during class and helps people. She also has really beautiful music to go along with our practice (like songs from Snatam Kaur and Krishna Das)

 And after class is over, it's wonderful to walk home along the beach in the sunshine and feel so peaceful and energized at the same time. Sean is so nice to watch Elora so I can go exercise. Life is good.

 You know you want to come visit me! We'd love to have visitors!