Unfurling My Mat, Rekindling a Friendship

A Yogis 'Go with the Flow' Journey

*Photo by Laurenn

Yoga has become a powerful tool for many people seeking mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The practice combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve flexibility and strength. For me, yoga offers all those aforementioned things and then some but recently it offered something unexpected: a chance to reconnect with a childhood friend.

It all began with a birthday text from a friend I hadn't spoken to in years. She had recently completed her yoga teacher training and was inviting me to her class at the studio where she trained. Coincidentally, the studio was just minutes from my house, fulfilling my long-time search for a convenient yoga studio. I had been looking for a yoga studio within 15 minutes or less of my home. This studio was 11 minutes away from my home. Score!

I waited for my travels to settle down, so I could benefit from any first-time student specials. I landed back on US soil from traveling to Lisbon, Portugal, and within 48 hours, the allure of a slower-paced, mindful yoga class proved too strong. The "Feels Good: The Reset" class perfectly matched my needs, and by the end of the session, I was a committed student with a class pass in hand.

One Friday evening, my husband and I attended my friend's class, marking the beginning of a renewed friendship. This reconnection led to a lovely Saturday afternoon yoga party where my friend was hired to teach a private class. The setting was idyllic – yoga outside on the grass, shaded by trees with glimpses of the blue sky peeking through. The clucking of chickens and the gentle sounds of nature provided a unique soundtrack to our practice, guided by my friend's calming voice.

This experience embodied the very essence of yoga – letting go and flowing with the present moment. It was a powerful reminder to embrace spontaneity and not overthink situations, a challenge for someone who has dealt with past trauma. Yoga, and the unexpected twists and turns of life, have become guiding forces in my life, encouraging me to move through life with even more grace and a relaxed ‘go with the flow’ mindset.