Editor-in-Chief Elena Gilbertson Hall stands outside of Shakti Power Yoga. Gilbertson Hall attended her first yoga class at the studio during the summer of 2019. Photo courtesy Kaija Gilbertson Hall
Practicing yoga has made a major impact on the life of Editor-in-Chief Elena Gilbertson Hall.
I had never thought of myself as a yogi. Sure, I stretched, I practiced self-care and I meditated. But I didn’t attend yoga classes or own fashionable athletic wear and a cute yoga mat.
That all changed this past summer when I went with a friend to a class at Shakti Power Yoga. I was immediately welcomed by the staff and felt comfortable in the new environment.
When I stepped onto the yoga mat, I found myself letting go of all the other things in my life: school, relationships, insecurities. Instead, I could simply focus on my breath and my movement.
When class ended and I left the studio, my mind felt a million times clearer. I could come back to my thoughts about school, relationships and insecurities, and I could address them with clarity and calm.
As I continued attending classes, I found many areas of my life changing. I felt stronger and more emotionally balanced. Despite my initial uncertainty, I have been overwhelmed by the power of yoga to change my emotional, physical and mental state of being.
It’s difficult to keep up the practice when school and life are extremely busy. Nevertheless, making the time for a class on Friday evening after a long week or on Sunday before jumping into school can work wonders.
The steep prices of a yoga class — often $15 or $20 for an hour — keep many people from participating. Luckily, I found a studio that holds a commitment to accessibility and is willing to meet each customer where they’re at. Just one mile from Clarke Central High School, Shakti has become a happy place for me.
Whether it is yoga or something else, everyone should take time to find something that allows them to be completely present in the moment and find an abundance of joy.
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