Some three years ago, I found myself riddled with unexplained muscle aches and pain. For months, I could not turn my head, smile, lift my arms, or do much of anything. It seemed as if my strength and well-being were zapped. Professionals explained it was an airborne virus.
A dear friend suggested I visit a Unity Yoga class. In truth, I knew nothing about Yoga, or it’s benefits for health and well-being. I had never seen a yoga mat, and never knew Yoga was done in loose fitting, comfortable clothing. One Monday morning, I appeared in jeans, and have never left.
The instructor, Cynthia Mathis treated me as if I were the only student in the room. In truth, no matter how many of us are taking a class, we each feel as if we are receiving individual instruction.
As women and men too, raised their arms, I could not even lift mine. As they turned their heads to the left and to the right, I could not. I could not even place my head on a mat, without having a prop underneath my neck. But with Cynthia’s encouragement, I slowly crawled my arms up the wall, slowly turned my head to the left and to the right, and even managed to lift my legs, one at a time for a bend and stretch exercise. I would never leave. I believe, just as you build your normal daily activities into your busy life, you need to build time to relax with your own body and mind.
At Unity Yoga, you start with a mental image of your place on this good earth. From there, you tune your body as if it was a well-oiled machine. Without thinking about if you’re too fat or too thin, or too infirmed, you just do it. Then, just before class ends...it’s your private special time. Time to reflect on the good things you brought to yourself.
All of this is mastered in each session with the warm, comforting voice of our instructor, Cynthia Mathis.
Namaste,
Millicent K. Brody
