Jill's story - a testimonial from one of our current students

My Yoga story

I am in my 68th year: a retired teacher/lecturer/academic. I started yoga when I retired at 60, when I finally 'had time' to go along to a class. I have had body/weight/coordination issues all my adult life and have never much enjoyed physical exercise of any sort.

I live very much in the mind and have not really been aware of or bothered with my body, except when it let me down. And in the circumstances, I have been very lucky; I have always been healthy and strong. However, I was becoming more and more stiff and inflexible and a friend suggested I attend a yoga class with her.

I was less than convinced it would do me any good and when I saw people doing things which were impossible for me, I nearly gave up.

I could not even stand still, or sit with crossed legs, or lift my arms above shoulder height, or balance on one leg - and so the list went on.
It was a challenge physically but also mentally.

I was used to being in charge, the one at the front of the room, the centre of attention, not sitting there feeling inadequate, the dunce of the class. However, I knew enough about education to know that it did me good to be put in the situation so many of my students had been in over the years and, almost to my surprise, I stuck it out and slowly began to enjoy the classes. I have not been good at doing things I was not good at, and so was pleased with myself that I persevered.

And herein lies the difficulty. Yoga, as with most things worthwhile, takes years of practice to even begin to understand what it is all about. Well, as our teachers will tell us, it is a lifetime's journey of learning and discovery. With the help and guidance of the teachers, I learnt to use props to help me in the various postures. I learnt how to do the most basic ones properly rather than trying to compete with others, or myself, by pushing my body beyond what it was capable of. There have been times when I thought I was making good progress and then I have had injuries from falling which have set me right back. However, I have learned to trust the yoga and knew I would eventually recover and get back my mobility.

My body still doesn't do much of what I would like it to do but I now understand that flexibility is not the main aim of yoga, it is being in the moment, focusing on the breath within your body and listening to what your body is telling you, not on what you think you want to be able to do. And along the way, I have learnt to accept my body for what it is and be grateful for what it can do.

Yoga is really more about the control of the mind through the body and this has been the greatest lesson I have learnt.

All the classes help you to concentrate on the breathing and provide time to relax and to get in touch with that quiet space inside you. I am a long way from being able to meditate away from the yoga room and I certainly can't control my busy mind more than for a few breaths - but I have learnt to recognise when it is running uselessly ahead, to slow it down, to become more focussed on the present, to be more patient, less anxious, to know I cannot always be in control. I am really beginning to feel the benefits of yoga in my life, both physically and mentally and almost believe it when Pete tells us that it slows the ageing process! If only I had started years ago - but then I wasn't ready.

I am so grateful to have found yoga and the wonderful teachers that we have at the School. I have learnt so much and feel that I have a new lease on life as I approach my 70s. What could be better than that?

Thank you Peter, Cath and Tracey.

Jill

If reading this motivates you to reflect on why you come to yoga and what you gain from it and want to express it in words, we would welcome any other personal stories. You can email us at info@centralcoastyoga.com.au

< Back to Why do Yoga?

^ top