Typically, Al does the writing here, but occasionally I (Shelly/Cheli) like to put in my two cents. And today I’d like to tell you how Yoga helped me transition into the person I am today. I used to be a complete introvert. I used to get easily annoyed. I was totally not tranquilo. Then along came Moksha Yoga, and it changed my life in so many ways!
Back in 2012, I was feeling bloated a lot and I would get acne all the time, I’m not taking a small pimple that would go away in a day or two, I’m talking huge painful red sores that would last 2 – 3 weeks. Needless to say I was embarrassed about my acne and felt uncomfortable a lot of the time. I finally decided to see a Naturopath. My Naturopath mentioned that a community cleanse was starting the following week and asked if I wanted to take part. I really wanted to make some positive changes in my life so I decided to join the community cleanse.
One of the sponsors in the cleanse was Moksha Yoga Waterloo. If you’re not familiar with Moksha Yoga (Modo Yoga Internationally) it is a style of hot yoga, done in a specially heated room allowing for deep, safe stretching and it also allows for detoxification of the skin, blood, and muscles through sweat.
I was definitely ready to try this as I desperately needed a detoxification of the skin. I had practiced yoga at my local community center and at home with DVD’s but I had never practiced at a dedicated studio. I signed up for their $40 intro month and fell in LOVE with it.
Those who know me know that I like warm climates, and this climate is PERFECT for me to practice yoga in!
Within six weeks I was so addicted I became a Moksha Yoga Ambassador (volunteer at the studio) so that I could get my sweat on every day.
The community and the practice was like nothing I had ever experienced before and I believe my time as an Ambassador also enhanced my experience. I just didn’t go to the studio, practice, and get on with my day. I was able to meet lots of new friends by helping out at the studio. Once I started practicing yoga on a regular basis, I found my outlook on life changed drastically. I was a happier person all round.
Someone once said to me, if you smile at others they will smile back and I started to make a conscience effort to smile at others on the street, at the grocery store and especially at work. Other people also noticed and commented that I had more pep in my step and that I was much more positive.
After about a year of exclusively practicing hot yoga, I decided to expand my yoga repertoire and started practicing Ashtanga and Hatha yoga. The more I practiced the better I felt – yoga seeps into your bones, your heart, and over time – your soul.
Moksha Yoga helped me see how I can live a life with less
We had already started talking about doing something different with our lives before yoga made its appearance but the positive effects of yoga allowed me to see that, for my own sanity, I needed to do something different in my life.
Sadly, since we have been travelling so much over the past year and a half, my yoga practice has fallen by the wayside. Sometimes I still practice a few times a week, but other times I could go a few weeks without. Since our recent return to Canada, we both purchased yoga mats and have started to practice regularly again, and thanks to both Cambridge Moksha and Waterloo Moksha, we were able to enjoy the sweat a few more times, too!
[bctt tweet=”Embracing the sweat is the secret to hot yoga #yoga” username=”sellallyurstuff”]
And because they were so generous, we wanted to reciprocate with this Moksha Yoga Series infographic below, starring none other than our minimalist stick man! We’ve included most of the poses, but they still surprise you each class with a few others not seen on our infographic.
Now go sell all your stuff and practice yoga!
I just started practicing yoga a few weeks ago and am already feeling so much better. I have yet to try hot yoga but I hear it’s wonderful!
Jennifer, it’s great to hear you have started a yoga practice. If you get a chance I highly recommend hot yoga.
I thought this was a great post about your personal journey, and I’m so happy it worked out for you. I love yoga.
Thanks Corinne. So happy to hear you enjoy yoga as well.
Getting out of your own head is my favorite part of yoga. Tried crow for the first time today, determined to get better at it. It is like flying!
True, getting out of your head is very hard at first, but once you work on your breathing it’s so much easier. When I started I tried this trick. When I would breath in I would say “Let” and when I would breathe out I was say “Go” (in my head of course) but it helped me settle into the practice. Awesome for trying crow, I enjoy that pose as well.
I do yoga once in a while and enjoy it. This post reminds me that I need to do more. Thank you for the great read.
I’m so glad I inspired you to get back to your practice. Thanks for visiting.
I have had a few mild health issues lately and I think I might feel better if I tried yoga. I enjoyed your take on it. I also enjoy warmer climates and might like this style of yoga.
Allison, hot yoga is fantastic for helping with health issues. I had back problems for awhile and the heat really helped to loosen me up. I hope you give it a try.
Yoga is just so calming and after all those exercises, ending it with Shavasana is such a bliss. Well covered.
Ami, I love savasana as well. The only reason I do yoga 🙂
Sounds like an amazing experience! This is major encouragement to get back into my Yoga practice. You’ve inspired me!
Eulanda, I’m so glad I’ve inspired you through my experience.
I always wondered why hot yoga was a thing. Now I know!
I love your diagram!
Ann, You should give it a try. Hot yoga is an awesome detoxifying experience. Glad you enjoyed the diagram. 🙂
Hi Shelly,
When I was younger, yoga was very unappealing, but now it’s like my wonder drug. It’s great for getting rid of the ache and pains that come from too much sitting. I’ve never tried any form of hot yoga, but your post has certainly intrigued me. It might be something my daughter and I could do together. She is in her twenties, and clear skin is always a goal.
Hi Dr. Becky,
Thanks for stopping by. I see lots of Mothers and Daughters practicing together. It’s a great time to bond. I absolutely love how yoga gets rid of those aches and pains.
I’m so with you. Discovering yoga, particularly some different types of hot yoga, really changed my life and got me onto a healthy track.
Rob, it truly is surprising how yoga can do so much. Glad you’re on a healthy track.
I have been doing Ashtanga Yoga for seven years now and absolutely love it! I had tried hot yoga before when I lived in Boston, enjoyed it a lot then, but now don’t like the idea of artificially heating up a room and using energy so I can do hot yoga. Although todays Vinyasa class in Bali was super hot naturally! Totally agree that Yoga can be super beneficial and really good for the mind, soul and body 🙂
Hi Samiya,
I hear you on the hot yoga in Bali. When we lived in Panama there was no need for a heated room. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I started yoga 10 years at work. They offered a class at the office at 5:15 once a week. I decided to goa s it would make me leave work by 5:15. I am so glad I started. I too have periods where I do it weekly, then get busy and skip for a while. I feel much better when I do it!!!! And that provides the incentive to keep going.
That’s awesome that your work has a weekly class and a great incentive to leave on time at least once a week. 🙂