Day 14 - The Beginning

Today is the perfect day to start.



I have been debating doing this for the last month, and finally took the plunge two weeks ago on August 5, 2012.  I had an opportunity to do a yoga retreat in Costa Rica (For Anamaya information Click Here) and looking out into the ocean decided that this was the path I wanted to take.  I was going to do yoga everyday, 6 days a week for 1 full year.  I am giving myself 5 days in case of emergency, sickness, or some other circumstance.  365 days in a year minus 52 rest days minus 5 mulligan days equals 308.  I will write here everyday.

Sunrise from Anamaya yoga deck

My journey with yoga started in 2003.  At the time  I was struggling with my sobriety and went to yoga trying to find myself.   I went to a studio called Prem yoga in West Palm Beach.  At the time I had a very competitive mind and could not even touch my feet.  I went in there with a room full of older women.  I figured perfect I would fit right in and not feel competitive at all.  I soon found out that the older women are the true bad asses of yoga.  I was introduced to positions I never saw before in my life.  I also was introduced to this thing called breathing.  Although this was the beginning I loved the way I felt after I left the studio.

Over the next couple years I discovered more and more different types of yoga.  My friend introduced me to Ashtanga yoga which quickly became my favorite.  I ventured off to take a class with David Swenson and felt at the top of my game.  I was sober, healthy, and loved life.

When I moved to Colorado in 2005 I slowly lost my practice and myself.  I eventually completely gave up my practice.  2011 was my biggest test with 2 deaths and my divorce.  This snet me to a rock bottom for both my body, mind, and spirit.  I am happy to say I kept my sobriety throughout all of this (8 years now).

October 2011 I moved back to Orlando, Florida in search for myself again.  I started back up with yoga at Full Circle Yoga.  After the first day again I felt this moment of peace when I left.  I just felt good.  There was something to this.  Instead of the bars and drugs I turned to yoga.  Over 2012 I was going more and more.  The more I went the better I felt.  I learned a lot about who I was, my limits, balance, and my emotions. 

Why 6 days a week?  Ashtanga is rich in tradition.  Years of teaching the same postures year after year.  The best yoga brains being put together.  These people must do this for some reason.  Traditionally Ashtangis practice 6 days a week with one day of rest.  In addition they take off for the full moon and new moon days.  I honestly do not know or understand the theory why they do the moon thing so I am not going there yet.

I have decided that this is now going to be my lifestyle.  There are a lot of different theories, ideas, and philosophies inside of yoga.  I am not planning on just practicing Ashtanga, but I hope to explore as much as I can and learn as much as possible.  .Life is full of it's ups and downs.  Love, anger, sadness, and happiness are all a part of everyone's life.  I want to explore how to balance and accept each one of these emotions into my life.  I want to share these discoveries with who ever reads this.

I hope you enjoy my journey.