Yoga, a practice of connecting mind and body. How it feels? Well, it is hard to explain or know whether your experience was the same as someone else's, whose mat was next to yours. In all honesty, it feels different every time. I come to my mat after a day that is not comparable to the day before and with tight muscles in different places. My thoughts and the position in my poses are unique to me therefor, no, my experience is not the same as anyone else's. That is what is so cool about yoga. In a studio, you are all syncing your breathe and following the same sequence but poses will feel different and individual thoughts will come up. So why practice with others?

Yoga is not just about touching your toes, it is also about building strength and finding stillness & comfort in often uncomfortable poses. To me I feel that practicing with others significantly increases the energy in the room and gives me support as I journey my way through a 75 minute class. It also just feels so good to come out of a class and it is warming to share that with others. What brings me back to my mat? Well the fact that yoga actually helps me from going crazy. I'd argue that it is medicine for the soul! Yoga is the only time during my day that I slow down and focus on my breath, which is so relaxing. I stop practicing = I stop inhaling and exhaling fully and tune in with my body. I also love individual sports and when I began to practice yoga, I fell in love; I can be alone while being next to others (I don't get to have that feeling often). If I am to share any further I should start from the beginning.

Growing up in a small town you end up having limited options for entertainment/recreation (mainly because you do not have a license and only so many business can run along "main street"). How did I spend my time you ask? I participated in every sport, joined the local gym at 14, and beat every call of duty game on my x-box (easy mode). Oh and most importantly, I invited all my girls over to play sing star on the play station. I did make the most of my time in Irricana and always looked out for new happenings in town. I will never forget that moment when I found out that a yoga studio had recently opened up on main street. I do not know about you, but yoga aint cheap and I want to say that was why I never went. Rather, I purchased a yoga dvd and practiced alone in my freezing ass basement. Once my sister and I joined a class in town and practice was over, we visited with the instructor/owner for quite some time. She told us she was relocating to the building that hosted curling. She (Sharon <3) encouraged me to come back and I did, that simple. It was me, around 15 years old, and a few other ladies, easily 35 years + who practiced about twice a week or so. I loved the space that she created. The lighting was dim, the walls held plants, and it constantly smelled like essential oils. Sharon called it YogaAroma Therapy, where she would incorporate oils in class. We rubbed it in our palms, breathed it in, and massaged it on the soles of our feet. She created a supported and safe place for me, especially during the worst of times at home. Yoga moved from being a hobby to a way of life as I emerged to high school. A lot of my values had been shaped by my practice, in particularly, non-judgement. I would like to say that I avoided being a part of a "click" in high school and made time to connect with different personalities in the school. Jeeze, I could create a blog dedicated to high school so I am going to stop here.

Sharon had moved to Arizona but offered classes online which I attempted to join in on a few times. I was grateful to have not only known her but that she offered me a job once to teach "facial yoga" to the older ladies in town, to help reduce wrinkles (haha it was actually hilarious). In time, I eventually graduated and moved to Red Deer College. I was so preoccupied with this new lifestyle that I put yoga on the back burner (unintentionally). Even though I only stayed there for a semester and spent the rest of my year travelling and working, I never picked up yoga again. It came down to money for sure. I could not justify paying the rate studios would charge but I felt guilty for not practicing alone (it is honestly not the same experience).

Next on the timeline... Mount Royal University! I spent my first year hitting up the gym and maybe the bar once or twice ;). I took a wellness class that winter semester and I remember setting a goal to practice yoga more regularly. So that fall, I contacted Karma Yoga Calgary to ask if they were looking for volunteers to help clean the studio - in exchange for free yoga. Libby, the owner picked up and invited me over that day to get trained!

Fast track to two years later and I am now a manager at the studio! I practice regularly and have made incredible friendships with these teachers that I truly, truly look up to. Words cannot explain how grateful I am for Libby who has unconditionally supported me through this journey and had noticed a spark in me to join her team. I have also been given a position to help facilitate a yoga retreat with my all time favourite instructor, Kate V. in Radium, BC this summer! I have learned a lot about business and yoga philosophy these past few years that have influenced me to participate in a 200 hour YTT this year (starting the end of the month). It has been through taking classes by amazing teachers at Karma and watching my best friend Rachel and best (only) sister Ayra complete their training. I recently finished a kids yoga training and am thrilled to be challenging myself to become a teacher. My vision is to support young girls, like me once, by offering them yoga to help them slow down and be their role model. <3

This training is not only going to increase my knowledge but also transform me for the better. I will be using this training towards my advanced certification for my ETOL degree. I am so excited that this training is in the wilderness and I will be able to incorporate my passion for the outdoors and love for yoga in one!

I am not sure whether or not I have convinced you to take a class. I recognize that people value different things but I promise you a few yoga classes will positively impact you. Also, If you don't have a million dollars then volunteer like I did! Or honestly wait until the end of September and I'll show you a good time.

For those who practice, I hope you resonated with me at one point in this blog.

Thank you to all those who read. Please reach out to me if there is a spark in you that wants to lay on a mat or shop for leggings.

Call me ;)

Zoey Fern. xoxo

Photos taken by my lover/supporter - Brooklyn Enes <3