From Stewart McIntosh
I had never done yoga prior to taking Maggie Anderson’s introductory yoga workshop for Absolute Beginners at Semperviva. That beginners yoga workshop alone was highly valuable in explaining all the (y)ins and outs of yoga (which Maggie called the Yamas and Niyamas), and demonstrated all the basics I needed to delve into the world of yoga, including all the basic yoga poses.
I used the special discount offer to sign up for a month of unlimited yoga, and from there I was able to immerse myself in a number of yoga styles being offered, such as Hatha and Yin, as well as experience the various teaching methods used by the many Semperviva yoga instructors.
It was Diana’s Hatha class that helped me understand the connection between the various styles, and I have very much appreciated Diana’s gentle approach to both Yin and Hatha. I’ve also enjoyed Bernie’s even paced, and very explanatory, Yin, Hatha and Meditation classes. And then there’s Alli’s class, which I just discovered a couple of nights ago. It was so delicious that I had to have another one the next morning. Alli is just so attentive to the class that it felt like she was always there when I needed direction. I love her form and intensity, and she’s so encouraging to boot.
Gloria’s Kundalini class felt like the cap-off party to end a month of blissful pleasure. Did I just say “blissful pleasure”!? After enduring what my body has been through over the past month! All those yoga poses and stretches in directions my body’s never gone before. Not to mention the twists and turns in ways that I never knew were even possible with the human body. I’m surprised there isn’t a pose called “the pretzel”…… or is there? 
I’ve felt my body heal from the car accident I experienced (the reason for doing yoga in the first place). Also the regular yoga practice improved my posture and my core strength, and it centred my breathing to the point where I can just cruise past those hot rod cyclists as we pump up that hill off the lights, and find myself with lots of lung capacity left over when I’ve reached the top…. way out in front.
I’ve explored the inner depths of my soul, experienced the exhilarating growth of my abilities, and the humbling limitations of both my body and my being. I have found the music and chanting to be quite soothing and exhilarating to the moment. So, after being in class thinking to myself that my body just can’t bend in that direction or stretch that much, I’ve realized that if I listen to my body rather than my mind, it will tell me where it can go and can’t go. I’ve learned to keep an open mind.
It’s all good. Namaste,
Stewart
Upcoming Absolute Beginner Yoga Workshops at Semperviva:
- June 19, 2010; 1:30pm-3:30pm at Kits Beach Studio
- July 17, 2010; 1:30pm-3:30pm at Kits Beach Studio
- August 21, 2010; 1:30pm-3:30pm at Kits Beach Studio
- September 18, 2010; 1:30pm-3:30pm at Kits Beach Studio