2. Matthew and Yoga

I began yoga over 10 years ago, immediately developing a connection to this incredible practice. Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow yoga were my class preferences in the beginning. I had been practicing martial arts since I was a teenager and wanted to cross train. I discovered more than simply cross training in yoga.

I became curious and started to explore different styles of yoga, other classes and various teachers. There were many beautiful interpretations of moving meditation(Physical Yoga). "Hatha" classes helped me to experience a softer yoga, a yoga that I had not practiced in the beginning. Slowly reading more about this art, this practice, I was slowly creating my home practice. The joy I felt in my practice combined with a love for teaching, lead me to sharing yoga with others.

Yoga has helped me to view pieces of my life clearer, to reduce stress, bring my body and mind into balance. Some months, weeks and days I am much more effective than others. This is an ongoing process, more clarity and balance gradually developing. A unique yoga practice that I began a few years ago was Yin Yoga. Yin helped to open me and my practice to different concepts and methods.

I eventually took the steps and completed two teacher trainings. One for a Holistic Yoga and the other for Yin Yoga. My Holistic teacher is Yogi Vishvketu ji (Vishva), having studied yoga since the age of 8. The co-creator with his wife Chetana of the World Conscious Yoga Family and Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, India. My Yin Yoga Teacher is Bernie Clark. Bernie having trained with Sarah Powers, Paul Grilley, Paulie Zink, Saul David Raye and others. Yin yoga's current development is accredited to Sarah and Paul.

The teacher trainings were both wonderful experiences. Each training improved my patience, my understanding and my openness. The invitation for me to grow emotionally, physically, spiritually and intellectually was challenging to accept initially. I am grateful that I made this decision.


Physical yoga or asana (poses) are powerful tools that can help us reconnect with our bodies. Commonly the mind and the body are viewed as separate, this is not a holistic view. Through practice the connection becomes stronger, feeling the effects of thought or movement(s).

As my personal practice flows, I do my best to be present during my teaching and my practice. (Slowly realizing that it's all practice - every challenging and joy filled moment are opportunities for practice.) I offer myself what I need during the time I create, sometimes it's 15 minutes. An experienced teacher shared these thoughts with me; "A brief daily practice is more beneficial than a long practice once in a while" and " Happy Breath". There is more to yoga than just Asana, but this portion on its own is a great place to develop.

The physical poses often bring about emotions, reactions, and other challenges. Yoga is an effective tool. A practice that can help us through personal challenges, to clear our minds, recharge our bodies, open our hearts, heal us, understand our choices, our actions and reactions. Yoga is several paths different but paths. All are meant to be a practice. Tools that are best used on a regular basis.