Our November Student of the Month was nominated by our own yoga teacher-extraordinaire, Lindsay:
Richard has practiced in over 800 classes. He’s been a regular Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday guy for over 5 years. Despite all of that, this October was his first 30-Day Dare. I nominated Richard because he stepped out of his routine and habit and CHANGED IT UP this month. Even if he was motivated by his friends and fellow classmates Grace and Phil! (“Well, if PHIL is doing the dare then I CAN TOO!”) Every week when I’d check in with Richard and say “How’s it going practicing every day?!” He’d say, “Ya know, it’s not much different than practicing every other day.”
Richard, I’m proud to have practiced next to you in hundreds of classes. I’m honored I get to see you on a regular basis and watch you grow! You motivate and inspire me to keep getting on my mat because you keep getting on yours. Congrats on your first 30-in-a-row! <3 Linds
Did you know you have practiced over 814 classes?!
What an honor to be considered for this, I see so many participants whose yoga skills and abilities stand light years ahead of mine. I did know that I had gotten somewhere near 800, have my sights set on 1,000 sometime next summer.
Why yoga?
Why yoga? I have always enjoyed being active, was a happy runner for many years until having to give it up due to recurring sciatic nerve issues. I replaced running with group exercise classes at the YMCA. Then this lovely daughter of mine opened a hot yoga studio and gently suggested several times that I should give it a try. One snowy day a few February’s ago the Y was closed but Funky was open so I gave it a shot. I was hooked and started working it in with my Y schedule but in a few months it became my primary exercise. Increasing age robs balance, flexibility, and strength. Yoga in the heat has been a perfect answer to that for me. I made excuses for years whenever the 30-Day Dare came along. A little “encouragement” from Grace and Phil on October 1 pushed me to a last minute decision to do it and I’m so glad I did. I feel great, had to get over a little hump about halfway, but overall it’s an invigorating experience that I will repeat.
Advice to fellow yogis, young and old?
My new favorite pose is half moon. The instructors have done such a great job teaching variations of it this month. My advice? For anyone regardless of age, practice regularly. Yoga is a marathon not a race to somewhere quick. Change comes slowly but regularly and I’ve found the long term benefits invaluable. I never feel alone, I’ve met so many enjoyable people as we sweat our way through. Thank you to all of the staff; it’s a great group of encouraging people.
