August 2010 Student of the Month: Anne Wilde
How did you become interested in yoga? I have been interested in yoga for many years but as a form of fitness through the books of Kareen Zebroff. When teaching Primary age students, I used Rachell Carr’s book, ‘Be a Frog, a Bird or a Tree’ in my Creative Movement classes. I came to Balanced Life Yoga through an advertisement in the local paper. I attended my first yoga class with Shasta in the days when she began teaching in a meeting room at the Uxbridge Public Library.
What are the biggest changes in your life since starting yoga? The biggest change in my life is how I now use controlled breathing to focus my energy when faced with challenging situations such as making life changing decisions, sitting in the dentist’s chair or before stepping onto the stage to perform. My family has commented that I have become more serene since I have embraced a yoga lifestyle. I am learning how to transfer the experiences I have on the yoga mat to the encounters of daily living.
How has yoga contributed to your life?
Yoga has given me a deeper awareness and appreciation of being totally present (in the moment), even when life is hectic. I have been given strategies that help me face challenges with an open mind. I love the feelings of; being physically strong and flexible, increased spiritual awareness and being in a non-competitive environment (so unlike a dance studio!). Each of the special workshops I attended guided me to a greater awareness of my own inner strength thus diminishing my fear of the unknown.
What would you say about your experience at Balanced Life Yoga?
As one of Shasta’s first pupils, it has been my joy to watch the studio develop as more lives are transformed by an environment of calm acceptance, excellent teaching skills and intuitive offerings. As Balanced Life Yoga expanded, I learned to be more open to the unique styles of each new instructor. I always leave each class feeling calm, grounded and uplifted. The variety of classes, times and the opportunity to purchase class passes demonstrates how devoted Shasta is to making yoga accessible to all. I have enjoyed meeting many wonderful people and consider Balanced Life Yoga to be my ‘home’.