Have you ever heard the story about me attending my first every yoga class? It was about 25 years ago, I don’t really remember the yoga, but I do remember it finished with a meditation, because I fell asleep! Yes, you read that right. I fell asleep during my first ever yoga meditation. I went so deep, that they actually had to wake me up. The story I tell is that I was so mortified that I fell asleep, that I didn’t dare go back. But I now understand that we can embellish our stories just to make them sound better. All I remember is that I went once and didn’t go back. I wasn’t someone that likes to be embarrassed, so having one of the other ladies in the class waking me up, was probably a bit awkward for me and maybe I put my defences up. And that feeling, put me off going to another class.
But life has a funny way of circling back to things we thought we'd left behind. Fast forward another 15 years and I give yoga another try; it was recommended to reduce my stress levels. I enjoyed the class, but I didn’t stay for the meditation, and I probably don’t do my first meditation for at least 18 months.
It's only as I sit down to write this that a realization hits me like a ton of bricks. That initial embarrassment had planted a seed of reluctance within me, dampening my enthusiasm for meditation. But as they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing. Today, I find myself chuckling at the irony of it all because, believe it or not, I now have a daily meditation practice—twice a day, in fact.
Who would have thought that the girl who once nodded off during meditation now runs her own pop-up meditation classes? Life has a funny way of coming full circle, doesn't it?
And the best part? It's opened doors to a world brimming with wonderful souls, now that I'm a yoga teacher myself. It's funny how life works out sometimes, isn't it?
So, if you've ever found yourself giving up on something after the first try, I urge you to reconsider. Don't let one setback define your journey. Who knows? You might just surprise yourself, like I did. If you're searching for ways to enrich your life—whether it's through improving flexibility, finding peace through meditation, or simply nurturing a healthier lifestyle—don't discount yoga just yet.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, never say never. Take it from someone who once swore off yoga only to find her calling in teaching it. And if any of this resonates with you, consider this an open invitation to come back—with open arms and an open heart.
And maybe if you are not ready to return to yoga, you could join my pop-up meditation sessions instead…
Comments