And so it begins, again

What is yoga to me? It is a way to stay grounded, reconnect with myself and challenge my body. I breathe and become content with myself each time I step on the mat. Since I began practicing regularly almost five years ago - I have gotten to know myself better.

I have more space to give the people in my life understanding. I still lose my cool sometimes - mostly behind the wheel at crazy drivers - but there are more moments of calm than chaos.

On this, the first day of my 200 hour teacher training journey and just three days into the new year 2019, I'm recalling all of my beginnings.

There was the first time I stepped onto a yoga mat, ever. I don't remember the year, but I remember the feeling of peace and tranquility it gave me to just breathe and be.

Then there was the first time I got back onto that mat after an injury, a surgery, an illness, an indulgence, a vacation. Knowing that the peace and tranquility were just a few moments away - the breath could transport me, the poses could relax me, the dharma talk could soothe me.

Yoga is such a gift in my life - it is the one thing with which I am most consistent as far as a physical practice. I rarely skip a trip to the studio when humanly possible. That consistency stems from a deep affection for the feeling yoga gives me. I love how I feel while I'm practicing - when I'm finished practicing and even when I think about practicing. I remember hearing my father talk about his deep love for the sport of baseball - he put it, I was either coming home from a game, going to a game or getting ready to go to or come home from a game. He could not get enough. I know I can't either.

That is why I know teacher training is the next best step for me.