Welcome to our online birthday party called celebrate12!

Angie Wallick is one of 12 students who are sharing their yoga stories with you as part of our celebration. We hope the stories will energize you to keep growing in your yoga practice, to try new things, and see what happens. Without further ado, here’s Angie:

I have to admit, I was quite the yoga skeptic at first.

I just couldn’t grasp how this could be an effective “workout” and honestly, I thought it was rather pointless to sit on a mat and breathe. How boring! I did a few random yoga classes with friends from a groupon and a “free first class” here and there, but never liked it enough to go back.

A trusted friend recommended Evergreen Yoga Center during a time when it was critical for me to learn awareness of my mind and body.  Some people are naturally intuitive about what they need emotionally and physically, while others need guidance on how to grow into an intuitive being.  So, with a gentle nudge I compromised in trying yoga one more time.  I suppose the hope was to either grow my awareness or to simply listen to the wise people around me and see what happens.  In February 2014, I opened up my mat at Evergreen Yoga.

At first glance of the studio, I wondered why there were no mirrors and why do we use blankets? Are we going to take a nap?  I really don’t have time for that!  I was particularly interested in what could come of the ropes…..what kind of yoga is this?

There have been many twists and turns throughout my yoga journey, but I do distinctly remember a strange discomfort in Savasansa.  During my first year, I often had had Leah place different weighted sandbags and bolsters over me when I was in Savasana which helped with my discomfort of being still. I felt more grounded, and was able to relax.

Leah showed me this picture of Mr. Iyengar which led me to more questions than answers.

This picture makes my sandbags look like more like pillows!

I worked to accept myself where I was and to understand what I needed at that time.

I was grateful for being more grounded than ever before although still feeling pretty uncomfortable in my own body. This type of relaxation and grounding enabled me to slow me down and increase my awareness of the effects of my practice.  This was the point in which I knew that yoga was an important part of my self-care.

Over time, I have come to understand that our “props” (what we use to support our poses at the yoga studio or the supports I choose to have in life) are there to help me meet myself where I am — without judgment. My props give me the confidence to get quiet enough to know when to move forward or when to simply just be.

Having no mirrors in the studio (which by the way, am a big fan of) helped minimize my distraction. I became less focused on the external, and learned to trust my inner being.

I want to share part of Sutra 1.2 from The Essence of Yoga by Bernard Bouanchaud. This Sutra resonates with me as to why I continue to practice:

–Yoga is the ability to direct and focus mental activity.–

Yoga consists of keeping the mind quiet and wakeful so that one is totally present to what one is doing.  Thoughts no longer rush forth of themselves in all directions, but are fully controlled and directed.

I’m thankful for my upcoming 5th year of yoga practice and all the ups and downs that have come with my learning.  I continue to learn more about each pose that we practice. I discover new ways to use props and understand what things in life throw me off balance.  I have a lot of energy in my yoga practice, but I now know that stillness tastes equally as satisfying.

I am currently on faculty at The University of Memphis and co-owner of Memphis Nutrition Group where I practice as a Certified Eating Disorder Dietitian.  I have the privilege of helping people heal their relationship with food just as yoga has healed my relationship with bringing awareness to both my mind and body.

I regularly attend the Barefoot Bootcamp and the Saturday Level 2 class so I hope to see you around the studio. You might find me bringing friends to class, as I love to share yoga with others who are curious or craving for stillness just like I was.

So if you find yourself reading this blog post, or more importantly, attending classes, consider yourself in good hands at Evergreen Yoga Center.

Once I opened up my mat, I’ve never looked back.

Namaste

Angie