Michele Hart

When I began practicing yoga I believed that yoga was a gentle but not very effective workout.  I liked the stretching from the practice but at the time I thought yoga would simply be another workout in my fitness regimen. I wanted to feel the same shortness of breath, sore muscles, and frenzied energy that I got from a typical weight bearing and aerobic exercise class.

I continued with home DVD yoga practice for several years and then began practicing at a studio. After the birth of my second child, along with the stress of work, marriage, home, a toddler and a new baby, I began to understand what yoga could truly offer.  At the end of class, when we gave thanks for the practice, I said a thank you for my family and realized how grateful I was: for my family, for my home, for my body.  My body was relaxed yet felt strong. I was more focused and joyful than I had been in weeks. I wasn’t overwhelmed. I felt good and my mind was clear.

Yoga is what the practitioner makes of it for him/herself.  It can be restorative or energizing, a combination of breath work (pranayama) and asana. It can be physically challenging or mentally challenging (or both). A very challenging asana practice can help to pinpoint the practitioner’s focus solely on the poses, providing a break from the mental chitchat and clutter that can impede being present. If the yoga practice is more restorative or pranayama-based the practitioner can relax and become more aware of the subtle changes in the body.

I have been practicing yoga for about 15 years and teaching for nearly two.