Sunday, November 13, 2011

Love at first OM

I love yoga... LOVE... love love love!


I am a yoga-pusher! I always say:


"You know what you need in your life? YOGA"
"Yoga will fix that for you"
"There's a great yoga pose for that"
"Yog it up! You'll love it"


Yes... I am a yoga-pusher! But only because yoga seriously changed my life. Because of it I am stronger (mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically)... I actually listen to my body now (well at least more than I used to, which was never)... I am taller (well at least I feel like I'm a whole 5'4" now!!!)... I am calmer... I am more grounded... I am able to float more... you get the picture!


My yoga journey started with Rodney Yee and his Gaiam DVDs, which I practiced at home. I realized that I probably wasn't doing something right, so I started going to Bikram. I went there for a few months but eventually I started to get bored (I'm pretty sure I have undiagnosed ADD). One day I walked into Lululemon on Ste-Catherine and Emma (sweet sweet Emma... and yes I knew the Lulu employees by name and vice-versa) gave me a complimentary pass to HappyTree Yoga. So I went. I haven't left. That was almost 3 years ago. 


I'm not sure that I have the words in my vocabulary to describe how I feel about HappyTree. But here's a quote that sort of sums it all up: "Home is not where you live, but where they understand you". And they get it. And I get it. Win-win! Where else am I able to giggle uncontrollably during a yoga class (Athena... heehee) and high-five after toe-pose (Yeah Yeah Eva!!!)? No matter how stressful or unpleasant my day was, the minute I walk through the front door and hear the chime from the alarm, I am immediately at peace. 


Within weeks of starting at HappyTree, my practice was already at a whole new level. The teachers there are AMAZING! And through every class, every teacher I've ever had is there with me in my heart. I can actually hear them telling me how to adjust in every posture. They are incredible and I am so grateful for having my path cross with theirs. 


To the teachers that I've had - I've learnt so much and can't wait to learn more from you all: Melanie, Albert, Gen, Paul, Sonya, Genevieve, Brian - You all seriously rock my world!


Dawn: you know! YO! Deuces babe! We put the "yo" in "yoga"!


Everyone else at the Tree - you seriously rock my world too!


Hugs!!!


Speaking of hugs... here's a good one!



The fabulous Melanie and me


And an extra-squishy hug!
By the way, the color coordination thing with the sign was a complete fluke!!!

More hugs and high-fives!



Ok - one more for good measure :)



2 comments:

  1. So SWEET!! Your post made me laugh and got me a little teary-eyed... The Tree is better because you're in it. I can't WAIT for my next hug from you!!!

    The Tree LOVES YOU!!!

    xo Mel

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  2. I know how you feel! I knew the first time I stepped foot intothe Tree that my life was going to change. Something about that place is magical... And sure enough here I am still yog-ing it up regularly at HT over a year later, I`m now part of their Wellness team and I`ve embarked on my long desired Yoga Teacher Training with Happy Tree teacher Gen Larocque. My heart is warmer, my hugs fuller.... I even left a miserable marriage and met my new beau at Happy Tree!

    No words can describe the love I feel.

    <3 <3 <3

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