Yoga Calms the Body & Mind

By: Helen Kilgallen

I roll out my mat, fold a blanket, collect props I may need such as blocks, straps, essential oil.  I light my candle and the healing begins. Yoga allows me to come home to myself and feel at ease with a calm abiding feeling. This practice is different every day for me. Some days I sit and meditate without movement. I connect to my breath and let everything just BE. I don’t fight my thoughts and scattered mind rather I sit with whatever comes up and then connect to my breath and mantra. Breathing in, I am here, breathing out, I am calm. I set an intention for my day. Some days it is a simple thank you other days I am praying for healing of the world, friends, family, neighbors and myself. I truly let go of my thoughts and hold space in my body, mind and soul. 

This practice is sacred medicine for my body, mind and spirit. I know it heals me and then I can share it with others. But first I must fill my empty vessel. My body is sometimes achy and tired but when I roll out my mat, magic happens. I feel my energy move with my breath and things begin to shift from inside.  Listening and feeling is key. Respecting where I am today and being compassionate to myself. 

Nothing has ever made me feel as good as my yoga practice. I have swam in the ocean, run on the beach, biked on the boardwalk, climbed in the mountains, travel all over the world and it is my yoga practice that has given me a calm, centered, focused, strong, resilient mind and body.  I feel light and connected to a higher source that takes me on a journey of clarity and courage. I thank my body and mind for trusting the process. My flexibility and strength come with practice. It’s a lifelong practice that I plan on using for the rest of my life. 

I encourage you to roll out your mat. Come to our studio or take a virtual class. We are real people traveling this journey together. Lifelong students and passionate about our yoga. Everyone can do yoga. We use props to help us and we support one another. Yoga is unity and peace in action.