"I had severe anxiety and depression when I started practicing yoga after I moved to Canada in 2000
I had no friends and family with me. When I finally made a friend, she asked me if I wanted to go to a yoga class with her
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At the time, there weren’t many yoga studios and we took classes from the same teacher at different places. Sometimes, it was at a church, library, dance studio, I think pretty much wherever he could rent a space. Eventually, I started going on my own for more than once a week. I was not a model student. I was very very poor like any college students and I could not pay the fee on time almost every month
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I was working full time at a coffee shop and taking full time studies at a university, had severe anxiety and depression, and I was alone and lonely. I was overworked, exhausted, broke and completely lost. I showed up to class almost always 15min late because I couldn’t get up on time. But I ran to the yoga room, walked in as quietly as possible while other students gave me a dirty look and followed whatever they were doing
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I still remember that warm sun light through the church windows on Saturday morning on a cold wintery day as I laid for Savasana. I remember feeling the most peaceful I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Perhaps my teacher sensed I needed the practice. He actually rarely spoke to me except my monthly apologies to him explaining I was going to be late for my payment. Again
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Had it been a fancy, modern yoga studio who locks the door of the yoga room once it starts, I never would have been where I am now. It is because of his generosity and patience, I get to do what I love to do every single day on a beach surrounded by people from all walks of life. I owe him everything
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I often receive judgment and criticism for letting my students come in a little late but my actions reflect my gratitude for my first teacher who did the same to me and I will not change that, no matter what, because of him 🙏"
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