Yoga Adventure (Part 2 of todays post)

For One World One Heart Giveaway, please go HERE.

You may have noticed a new link at top, YOGADVENTURES.

I mentioned a few days ago that I'm starting on a new Yoga Adventure...and I'm taking you with me!  

Currently, if you click on the link, you will be taken to the new page with a brief header.  The page will be greatly expanded in the next 24 hours.

What is this all about?  I signed up last week (Feb 9, 2011) at a local studio for an unlimited month-long pass.  I plan to take as many and as varied classes as I can - from Pilates to beginning classes, advanced power flow to hot yoga to meditation classes.  After each class, I am journaling about my experiences -- WITH EGO-LESS HONESTY.  I'm writing down my expectations, my fears, my experiences (wierd bodily noises and all), the results.

I will then be transferring those journal entries to the website.  

(Note: Because I mentioned the studio on a social site, I will be editing the entries to protect the teachers and the studio.  I am VERY AWARE that my experiences as a student can and do happen at any studio and with any teacher.  My goal is NOT to review the studio or any specific teaching style; rather, to share my personal experiences.  Beyond those slight edits, my entries will be completely raw and honest.)

Why am I doing this?  Because I love yoga.  Because I know that I am not alone in my fears.  Because I know that those fears almost kept me from my practice, and certainly kept me from practicing outside of the home for a long time.  Because I hope that by sharing these stories, it will encourage even one person to venture into (or further into) their own practice (at home or at a studio).  Because I believe in the powers of yoga - on and off the mat.

Short background: I completed a 200-hr yoga teacher training 2 years ago.  Since then, I have not taught outside of my home and have let my regular personal practice slide due to a back injury (and other excuses I'm ashamed to admit).  

In the past few months I have been "religiously" returning to the mat, setting the intention to start incorporating the practice of yoga - and all of its healing aspects - back into my life.  Because I am re-learning how to do the physical postures working with new challenges in my body, I consider myself an "advanced beginner".

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I will update the YogAdventure site tonight with information on the experiences I've had thus far, and will continue to update the site on a regular basis as my journey progresses.  I encourage you to leave comments after each entry - hopefully some good conversations will result!