Author : Larry Bartlett
I came to Power Yoga Canada Oshawa looking to expand my fledgling yoga practice of three months. I felt the “Forty Days to a Personal Revolution” workshop would be a great way to make that happen. The workshop asks you to commit to a daily yoga practice, meditation and some self-exploration through journalling on questions. I jumped right in and signed up not really knowing what was in store for me. I had previously spent no time on my emotional baggage – other then to store it and ignore it. The 40 Days workshop blew my mind open. I found it extremely intense and reached deeply. At times I felt like a child for lacking the basic tools to deal with the issues brought up. I “stayed” and worked my way through the difficulties just as PYC encourages all of us to do in their practice. I’m glad I did.
After completing the workshop I was more enthused than ever to deepen my practice. I took a number of PYC workshops, maintained a 5 class or more weekly practice, tried my hand at giving hands-on assists in class, a brief stint doing Energy Exchange and am currently the A.M.D. (Awesome Maintenance Dude) for Power Yoga Canada Oshawa . I am thankful to have spent some time volunteering while the studio was being built and that will always be a fond memory.
When I occasionally feel my practice is not progressing, I need only to remember where I started from to shake that thought. Touching my toes or even lying comfortably flat in savasana was not possible. I now find peace in my practice that I hope to work into all aspects of my life. I have better posture now than when I began and a greater mind/body connection. Calm breathing has become an automatic tool when I consciously recognized I feel stressed and it does help. My practice has now taken front and centre over my road cycling (although I strongly believe cycling will always have a place in my life).
The warmth I feel from the PYC community humbles me in receiving it. I thank you all for it and always hope to return it. I find inspiration from every single person practicing.
I want to be a “YES” for this community so when I was asked to share my story that is exactly what I said.