Like abstract art, yoga teaches us that no matter what our shape and style; beauty can come from not being perfect. Our beliefs and opinions are individual to us, and a yoga practice is just the same. We each have an incredible body and they are all different, different shapes and different sizes. So how can we expect to all look the same during a yoga class?
My own journey with yoga began in 2013 and like most people, it was an attempt to try and rectify my lack of exercise whilst working in a desk-based role in London.
Shortly after I began to experience the benefits of yoga that I hadn’t really associated with the “exercise”. The insane sense of calmness, clarity of mind, peace. After every class I just felt amazing.
In October 2020 I decided to leave my job as a buyer in London, a position I’d held for over ten years. I made the decision on the basis that I would like a career that was more in line with my passion, to help a society that absolutely needs to develop the ability to get out of their heads and into their bodies.
I firmly believe yoga is for every-body. My build is petite and slight. People may look at me and think, “She must be so flexible”. I’m not.
Not intentionally being one for fitting the mould, I can’t touch my toes without bending my knees, I can’t do a handstand, let alone the splits and because of too many nights out dancing in high heels; my calves are incredibly tight! But these things have never stopped me.
Yoga to me is a beautifully simple way of getting out of your head and into your body. Yoga focuses the mind, sharpens the senses, and provides a sense of oneness and relaxation like no other. Something, I think, we can all benefit from!
With regular practice, yoga allows us to become centred through all life situations and quietens the mind in order for us to move through life’s situations skilfully.
By combining the techniques I’ve gained through training with the co-creator Dr. Richard Bandler in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and invaluable training through Sri Sri Yoga I encourage participants to practice and honour sthira sukham asanam, by learning through their physical practice that however much effort we initially put in; we must learn to let go, breathe, and drop any ideas we have as to where we think we should be.
If 2020 has taught us anything, I personally think, it’s this.
Emma Cass
A little note: As community facilitators, we believe in giving an individual the autonomy of expression. The views expressed in these pieces are the author's own.
