Reflections on a yoga class from a long time yogi.
Recently, I attended a yoga class for the first time in years. Babies, my own changing philosophies, and just schedule prevent me from frequently showing up to class. I study enough yoga and movement to create my own yoga at home. And I’ve always known the power and magic of attending class with other people. Something had been nudging me to show up again.
I rolled out of bed before anyone in my house and snuck out with my mat. I walked into the YMCA (which by the way, is an under utilized resource in many communities) and sat down to survey the room. There were about 5 other women older than 60–I would guess. The room felt dingy and the mirrors were dirty. Everything had a film of…previous activity.
Keeping track of the reasons I was there were very important. My body has changed a lot with postpartum and birth recovery. It is time to recreate a new relationship with my different body. I’ve also had a new understanding of my body with my auto immunity and hyper mobility. I knew I needed to be very careful in yoga. I have a long history of dance, over stretching, and pushing beyond my limits. This was going to be an act of exploring the mid range. If you’re like me, conventional health advice doesn’t work, see this post.
Almost immediately, I knew I was in the right class. The instructor focused on alignment. Simple things like how to get up and down from the floor to continue mobility. She spoke of anatomy and movement in a way that was accessible to everyone in the class.
All in all, we did about 4-5 poses but we focused on the mindfulness it takes to get into them. A couple of warriors, mountain pose, boat pose, and corpse pose. All with a focus on connection, strength, and what feels good or not.
Through the whole class, I could see my body. And all of the changes and things I’d like to change. I also saw all the mental work I’ve done to create love and gratitude for these bones and all they’ve been through. At times when I get really quiet, I weep for the transformations I’ve made mentally, spiritually and physically. And I can only hope I can guide others on their similar journey.
These conversations with ourselves are part of what every one goes through. I know this because my clients often share about their relationship to their body. Whether it’s removing their clothes or how they transition from work to home or how they feel compelled to suck in their tummy and it’s effecting their pain levels. Compassion continues to pour from my heart as people so delicately trust me with their inner conversations knowing that I hold them with such reverence. Many of them tell me the time before and after our session is as powerful as the bodywork in the session. That’s why I leave extra room on both sides of our session for you to explore what you need to. To know more about what it’s like to be in a session with me, read this.
If you’re ready to explore, a massage is great way to open that door. Once you’ve looked around for a bit, we can dive deeper into what’s holding you back and what’s moving you forward.
Sara Newberry, founder of Somatic Sole Massage in Saint Louis, MO, offers a sanctuary for mothers, blending massage therapy with reverence for the transformative journey of motherhood. Specializing in Myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage therapy and stress transformation, Sara’s holistic approach combines ancestral wisdom with contemporary practices to support mothers through childbirth and the postpartum period. Beyond the massage table, Sara fosters a trauma-informed environment at Somatic Sole, empowering clients to embrace wellness as a way of life, while also mentoring fellow therapists and nurturing a community dedicated to holistic healing.