Yoga Thoughts

Lorette C. Luzajic

I was skeptical about the snowstorm they called for today, and here I am, snowed inside on a Sunday afternoon, grateful for small mercies like electricity and new Simpsons lined up tonight. So often we use ‘storm’ and ‘it’s snowing’ interchangeably, but sure enough, there was so much this morning the front door of the building wasn’t opening. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I’d thought about penciling in some afternoon yoga yesterday, but had some ends to tie up and a meeting, and decided not to try to scrunch it in. I would go next week, prepared. Well, nothing could have prepared us for today’s weather and I’m stuck inside- “staying Om!”  I’m wondering how many did make it out, or if it was open at all. With a fresh pot of blueberry tea on the go, I use the snug indoors as a cocoon, and ponder Singles Yoga.

As a writer, nothing makes me happier than putting something down on paper. I love collecting information and expressing it in ways that I hope at best is witty and perceptive and at worst plain yet informative, perfectly functional. The most amazing part of it for me is that I do not know what I am going to learn about next, or delve into more deeply, what frivolous or life altering or sacred or scary things I’ll have to study next. Imagine my delight to touch base with Singles Yoga representative Vin Maru through Craigslist. He was looking for writers willing to try Singles Yoga.

Singles Yoga is a place where people get together to do yoga and to meet and mingle. Hopefully, like-minded people who care about health and spirituality, will meet friends and possibly romantic connections. They have a really interesting site at www.singlesyoga.com, where you can find out about upcoming events and more about yoga if you are new to it.

It can’t hurt, I think.

I’m not the only Torontonian who is skeptical about ‘singles’ events and clubs. But I’m not the slightest bit skeptical of yoga, which has changed my life, though I’ve really delved in only erratically. One example: yoga has been very important to both the mindset and the discipline of quitting smoking. I’m finally free, and yoga helped get me here. More practically, I am bored by most exercise, but we have to get some. Yoga manages to drift in between difficult, intricate challenges and fluid, relieving stretches. Somehow there is no feeling quite like how you feel after yoga.

Still, I am not without reservations. Though I can’t actually think of a better place to meet somebody, I wonder if it’s a bit too intimate straight off the bat. And I don’t want to feel like Harriet the Spy, scratching cryptic notes while supposedly focusing on my alignment!

But the benefits are clear: it means I’ll spend Saturdays meeting people who are at least marginally concerned with health and positive living. Even better, it seems a harmless way to get over my shyness, which went away for a blessed bit during my roaring 20s, but has returned with vengeance. Plus, I’ll feel terrific afterwards so whatever social situation transpires, my headset will be absolutely optimal.

I love most of all a new experience look forward to meeting some cool friends who have the same idea, and new teachers who will inspire my body and my mind.