""You do realize you're doing Downward Dog completely wrong?" he sneered beside my mat before aggressively pulling my hips back without consent. The nitpicking continued for the rest of the class. I left feeling embarrassed and defeated."
"From the moment I walked into the breezy, light-filled space, the experience felt entirely different. The owners welcomed me warmly, helped me set up a mat, and asked about my experience level before class began."
"The teacher encouraged us to approach challenging poses with a sense of play, which helped me relax. While lying in Savasana, as East Forest and Ram Dass's 'I Am Loving Awareness' played, I finally understood the post-yoga elation everyone talks about."
"My favorite instructor also taught me to let go of perfection and embrace the inevitable wobbles. I learned that if I didn't nail a pose on the first try, I could always try again."
Initial experiences with yoga can be negative due to the environment and teaching style. A hot yoga class with a shaming instructor led to feelings of embarrassment and defeat. A decade later, a welcoming studio in Lisbon changed the perception of yoga. The supportive atmosphere and encouraging teacher fostered a sense of play and relaxation. Daily practice became a stress outlet, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfections and the journey of learning in yoga.
Read at Yoga Journal
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