When I was a young mother of a two-year-old I saw that a yoga class was being taught at a local church. I needed the socialization and time away from home—not to mention the exercise.  So, I joined and loved the class.  I began to practice it at home. A life-long swimmer, as time went on I became a certified swimming instructor and taught swimming and water exercise at the local YMCA.  I continued to practice yoga and they asked me to teach that class too.  I wasn’t certified to teach it I merely parroted what I had learned but the classes filled up.

I took my kids to work with me when I taught swimming lessons at the city Olympic-sized pool across the street from the YMCA in the summer and put them in classes. They too hung around the local YMCA and pool with mom.

Later I changed professions when my kids were in school all day and I worked in an office.  But I continued to practice yoga when I was stressed or in need of stretching. The thing about yoga is it is good for both mind and body.

Today the two-year-old is a mental health professional and guess what she’s certified in to add to her practice? Yoga.  She teaches on the UCO campus where she works and at yoga studios, churches, and even a Saturday morning Zoom class that I join most of the time.  You can find Brandi at (7) Yogaby Brandi | Facebook and join her at a class near you.  She took her years of swimming, dancing, and her mental health career and combined them into yoga as a side vocation. She knows the healing power of yoga and spreads the good word.

I’m now retired and have had three back surgeries because of arthritis, and I know how much better I feel if I exercise.  My surgeon agrees. I walk and join classes at that same YMCA and then practoce Saturday morning yoga with my favorite instructor.  It is the best thing I can do after sitting and writing for long periods. I will probably curl up and die on a yoga mat someday.  I would find it relaxing.

What are you reading/writing this week? Namaste.