Wonder

I’m so grateful to have a healthy sense of wonder. It was curiosity that had me seek out a yoga studio years ago to find out what this practice is all about. “What is it?” I wondered. I wanted to try something new, I wanted to feel healthy. Those first steps inside a new studio can be nerve wracking. The unknown can be scary. We often fear what we don’t understand. I remember how I felt during that initial exploration. I let each person who comes through the door at Lam feel reassured and welcome, just as I was welcomed with open arms and open heart when I first began practicing.

​There are certain rituals we have in our practice. Maybe you’ve wondered “why?”

• Integration When we first begin together we are all coming from a different energetic and emotional place. By surrendering together at the start we begin to notice the breath, ground down and become present. This is a time to set an intention for your practice...maybe for your life. It’s very personal. Everyone begins where they are. And that is beautiful!

• Chanting OM OM is an ancient mantra. It has many different meanings to people. The three syllables, or sounds correspond to birth, life and death. Also, some say waking, dreaming and sleeping. A connection is made with creator and also with the others in the room when we chant this primordial Sound together. The first time chanting caught me off guard. I though to myself, “what the hell?” I will admit I used to feel awkward chanting with other people. Now I belt out OM like nobody’s business! It’s visceral and I feel it in my core. I am you and you are me and we are one.

• Saluting the Sun This is body prayer. The sun as symbol of Life and Light and Growth. Now we begin our meditation in motion. Moving, through a sequence of poses that warms our bodies, much like the sun warms the Earth.

• In in the middle we move, baby! Move our bodies through a series of beautiful poses. Some we like, some we don’t. Poses bring out emotions. We explore this. We don’t judge. We are kind. We learn to be patient and have compassion for ourselves and for each other. We are humble. We are fierce. We explore all of this.

• Namaste Namaste means “The Light inside of me, honors the Light inside of you.” It is an acknowledgment of one another and a way to show gratitude for the practice for life for all that is. All of it. The good and the bad. The light and the dark. We need all of this to learn. Take it all in! Savor the sensations of all there is.

​There are so many miracles to wonder about.

Namaste to you all! I’m so honored to explore with you!

​Jen

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