Why take a college yoga class?

          A philosophy, a science, an art, is my practice called yoga. The class this semester not only gave me the guidance to deepen my practice, you Professor, opened me to become conscious of the great complexity of my nature, and the different forces that move it. In this awareness, I stand with awe and appreciation for our collective nature, and my part in it.

          I entered this course with a great desire to attain a home practice, and did it! I found the structure of the class extremely helpful. Though I was not new to yoga, I had a tough go at gaining traction. The knowledge I was seeking was too far outside myself. From day one, the class was invited to openly share. I enjoyed the exercise we did the first day of introductions. We were to tell one truth and one lie. I thought it was so excellent to be in that feeling with strangers, the sensation of not wanting to lie and recognizing the inherent desire to be kind and open to a fellow. The example of authenticity and safe container to be yourself set the tone. The goal was clear: connect with yourself and be good to yourself. In keeping a yoga journal, I can see that I only had a hint of myself, not having yet learned to distinguish the different parts of my being, as they were usually lumped together by the mind. Yoga has given me a way to embrace my whole self through physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development.

          The wisdom presented through the course ignited the curiosity to understand fully how a daily practice can guide my healthy living. I enjoyed each article handed out in class. I was often surprised how the subjects or content of many of them, came at such serendipitous times, as if to speak to my current situation. One example of this was the article titled “How to Recognize the Beauty of Being Broken”. This was of a woman sharing her brokenness and that it was O.K.! So much of what this woman said was that she wasn’t where she necessarily wanted to be in her third decade of life, she feels wounded still from experiences and that some days, the best way to proceed is by going into that pain. One generally comes out seeing the beauty and awareness that all should be cherished and approached with a gentle hand. I wrote a journal entry that said “I relate to her soul as a wounded healer, living, breathing and appreciate what I have come to learn in my 30’s ~ I AM , WE ARE.”

          The yoga sutras have been something I have come to look to for guidance, for meditation, for observations of my actions. When looking at Patanjali’s Ashtanga System (“The Eight Limbs”), I am reminded of the alternative ways to act and be. I am reminded to accept where I am at, and take the time to notice what feels right, to me. I am reminded that everything has cycles, and I am part of them. I can choose to do yoga to practice truthfulness, self-discipline, purity, contentment, breath control, and so much more. I am aware that these practices have much power. My individual healing spreads out to my sphere of people and beyond.

          I have witnessed my children grow more content, from the peace I find from my morning practice. I see their eyes more easily connect with mine, or is it the other way around? Yoga has given my family Samadhi, intuitive enlightenment, state of bliss. We are fully integrated in the essence of the divine, and our love.

--Cynthia Neuendorf, Fall 2015