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I began practicing hatha (physical) yoga in middle school. I was a type A personality: overachieving, highly involved, and stressed-out. Tension was beginning to affect my sleeping patterns, which kept me from having a restful night's sleep. Only twelve years old, I knew that I could not continue in this way and live happily. Luckily, I came across an article in Sassy magazine, called "Yo-Ga Girl" (a pun on the newly popularized phrase "You go, girl"). There were 5 postures and some breathing techniques offered there. I ripped it out and taped it on the inside of my closet door. In my tiny, dormered bedroom, I began practicing physical and mental exercises that helped to rest my noisy mind. While nosing around in the study shortly thereafter, I happened across some "weird" books in my mom's library. Looking at photos and illustrations of people in contortions with suggestions to breathe quickly or slowly, I knew that I could do that. I just did not know how much better I would feel when I did! After stretching, I would lay in my bed and meditate--finding that place between thoughts and sleep, where I would quiet my mind and rejuvenate. Then, with a one word end to my meditation, I would effortlessly drift into sleep. In the beginning, I just wanted to sleep, but through the practice of yoga, I eventually discovered other benefits. With increased strength, calmness and serenity, I came to understand the holistic union of mind, body and spirit. I continued to practice the breathing and relaxation techniques through college and travels abroad, but between jaw surgeries for TMJ, all-nighters slouched in the library, and tight plane and bus seats, I had neglected my body entirely too much. I kept a little bit of yoga in my life during these years, and have always been flexible enough that I even partook in demonstrations and assistant teaching with Ghandi in Budapest. But, upon my return to The States, my mom was terribly worried that I wasn't feeling well and had this back problem, and that shoulder injury, etc. She was attending yoga classes in Cedar Rapids, and signed me up, against my desires, to attend a 9am class. I immediately began feeling better. After working hard to quickly finish a degree in Political Science so that I would have time to see the globe, I was now contented to spend all of my time in still practice with my eyes closed. When I moved to Chicago, I found a home four blocks away from the place that I most wanted to practice, The Temple of Kriya Yoga. Two years and lots of learning later, I returned to Cedar Rapids to share my knowledge and experience. After assistant teaching in Budapest and attending classes all over Eastern Iowa and in Chicago, I was still reluctant to begin teaching a class at the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area. How to exude wisdom in a subject that I was still such a student of? Then, the demand for other classes came, in order to accommodate all of the people interested in my teaching and I embraced my position as an instructor of yoga. Emeshed in a subject I love and able to share that which I know; I love my job and I love going to work each day. Soundness With Sayde began in January 2002 so that students' needs could be better accommodated. I had left the Y, but the classes that I established are still running. Corporate, one-on-one and scheduled classes have been available to adults since then. The first annual Yoga for Kids class ran in the summer of 2003. And I have now been teaching prenatal class for moms since August 2003. After running my own studio for one and one-half years in downtown Cedar Rapids, I have scaled back in order to write about yoga and, the only other subject I love as much, travel. Keep checking back for more information on my upcoming "Yoga on the Go" guide book, to be followed by a practice book for kids! Check out the most current class schedule or expand your knowledge of a yogic practice by viewing my favorite articles. I feel excited and privileged to be teaching. I would love to hear your feedback, assuage concerns, respond to your questions. Please feel free to contact me. |
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