Joy Beaton
I began yoga as a source of exercise in 2009 at Sunrise Yoga. I had always been involved in other sources of exercise mostly gym type atmosphere but was looking to get excited about a program I was involved in and the gym was not doing that anymore for me.
Having gone through deaths in my close family and working , I was wearing out mentally and physically so thought yoga might help me find a balance in those areas.
As I began the introduction to yoga class one statement that stood out for me from the teacher at that time was “Your body can be your total gym”, when in poses you use all your muscle groups and create the resistance with your own body .. and the stronger I was getting the more I could see this statement ringing true and was inspired to continue.
Now I take in 4– 5 classes a week in all styles, as the teachers are of different backgrounds, but they all have wonderful encouraging and friendly natures, with assists throughout the class to help keep you aligned, which can be very important as to not overdo from your own enthusiasm. The different styles of yoga classes for me only adds to the variety I had been looking for to keep me interested and fit.
YIN YOGA with Helen Fong was introduced recently here at Sunrise and I was very eager to get in on these classes. Having had taken other classes with Helen I was looking forward to what she was offering. YIN YOGA seems to be a perfect compliment to the other styles of yoga which move more quickly.
YIN YOGA is a series of deep stretches that are held for a longer period of time ( 5 mins). I find these long held stretches gives you time to relax your body and mind which to my surprise as time went on, allows emotions to surface and release (which is a good thing – Pent up emotions can be very hard on us and we don’t even know it) not to mention the total stretch you get is not only in the muscles but the layers beneath the muscle surrounding the bone which can only be stretched from long held poses and this in turn HELPS keep everything HEALTHY for continued GOOD mobility thru our life.
It has also helped the DISCIPLINE aspect of yoga to grow immensely and the DISCIPLINE you learn in your practice flows through to your everyday life… More patience… More confidence and just feel great inside and out. Thanks to SUNRISE YOGA and all the wonderful people there we call TEACHERS at FIRST and then FRIENDS.
Joy Beaton – February 2010
