Instant Karma’s Gonna Getcha: Columnist takes a yoga lesson
(first published in
the Kanata Kourier July 9, 2004)
Yoga anyone? When it was suggested that I try a few yoga classes and write about
my experience, I agreed but with some trepidation. I felt like I would need a
month to get into shape just to prepare for my first class. When I realized that
this wasn’t feasible, I reminded myself (and anyone around who would listen)
that I was fresh out of an ankle cast and that would be a valid ‘out’ if needed
or at the very least, a good excuse for not being able to quite ‘hold the pose.’
The Kanata Yoga Centre is housed in an unassuming and welcoming room in the
Beaverbrook Community Centre. Principal and owner, Kim Barkley describes the KYC
as a unique centre with people from all walks of life ‘tuning in’ to this
physical, mental and for some, spiritual experience that is yoga. Kim continues,
saying that the centre is not conventional at all and describes a warm
atmosphere during classes with lots of fun and lots of precision at the same
time.
After speaking with Kim on the phone I am feeling a bit more confident and even
a little excitement about the hatha yoga class that I will be participating in.
She has made me feel at ease and welcome over the phone, diminishing my scary
feelings about trying yoga as a newbie and I look forward to meeting her in
person. I head to the Centre’s website at www.kanatayoga.com and pick a class
that works with my schedule, mark it on the calendar and start looking around
for a yoga mat.
It’s a few days later and it’s time for my yoga class with Kim and as I head out
to the car and start driving, I cannot help put feel a bit of anxiety and almost
dread. I’m nervous about finding out just how out of shape and inflexible I have
become. My mouth is dry and I feel a bit hot even though I have the air
conditioning on full tilt on the way over. I am in my car, in the parking lot
writing this. I’m a bit early. A class for pregnant women has just finished and
as they walk through the parking lot I notice that they are all walking on their
own, unassisted. They look refreshed and an even better sign is that none of
them ran from the building like they were trying to escape. Rather, they looked
happy and peaceful. I find this comforting and after a quick swig of water and a
few minutes listening to one last song in the car, I am out and on my way
upstairs to the studio.
As I climb the stairs I know that I should just put my concerns aside. Kim has
told me that all levels, beginner to intermediate, are welcome at all classes.
Participants can drop in on any class where they are encouraged to work at their
own pace. This too, comforts me.
Class is over and I survived, and more. I really enjoyed my new yoga experience.
Class was good, great even. I’m not going to say it was really easy but I don’t
think it should be in the beginning. That being said, I liked it more than I
thought I would. I enjoyed remembering to breath, learning to relax, stretching
and completing poses. The class was warm and inviting just as promised and I did
feel a sense of accomplishment and peace at the end of class. I felt good,
invigorated and a bit humbled.
I spent some time after that class, talking with Kim about her relationship with
yoga and asked her how she got started. “I started doing yoga about seven or
eight years ago when my riding coach at the time swore by yoga. At that time, in
Ottawa, it was as popular as it is now, so he explained a bit about it; how it
could help me relax going over jumps just by breathing!” This was exciting news
for Kim who was about at the end of her rope with her horse, Ryan. She started
doing yoga with DVD’s and about four years ago, she met Georgia. “I met Georgia,
my teacher, mentor, advisor and dear friend, whom I began taking yoga with.”
Georgia and Kim clicked and realizing that she wanted to take this yoga
experience further, and with Georgia’s direction, Kim started taking teacher
training courses and one day just realized that she wasn’t happy in her current
job selling insurance and so she quit.
I am impressed with how powerful and instrumental yoga has become in Kim’s life
and I can only wait to see where this yoga adventure may take me. In researching
a bit about yoga I read that beliefs are the roots from which our life’s
experiences grow and that you create your Karma with the power of your beliefs,
your will and your desire. I am excited about these ideas and what they may mean
for me.
I am on my way home, knowing that I will come back to another class even though
I will probably ‘feel’ the effects of my first yoga class for a day or so. But I
am invigorated by the following philosophy that I read on the Centre’s website
that says,” you are never too old, too sick or too inflexible to start yoga.
Work at your own pace and prepare to be amazed at what your body can do.” I look
forward to that!
Laurel hopes to be able to touch her toes soon. Stay tuned for her next yoga
dispatch.