The On-Going Search.

My first experience with yoga is not reflective of how I feel about it today. Taken at the time in my small fitness center, with an inexperienced teacher, the "ohms," bends and crazy flows did not suite me. A few years later I tried another class, after switching gyms. That winter of my senior year of high school, I  had a great instructor who really got me excited about the practice. It just so happened that the class was two mornings a week, before my ferry commute to school, my senior year of high school. Somewhere between the stresses of life during that time and my need for exercise, I felt compelled to do early morning workouts. The alternating days of yoga were spin classes. Initially I think my hatred of the spin classes fueled my love for yoga, but after just a few short weeks, I was really hooked. I loved the freedom of movement, the way my body was loosening up after years of tension from horseback riding, and the meditative reflection I was beginning to allow my mind.

That summer I traveled to New York City to take an intensive photography course at Parsons, The New School for Design. I was worried about 'losing' my regular practice while away for the month and immediately looked for yoga studios in the city. I came across Yoga to the People, which I fell in love with in the city. I took regular classes there, and the chill and easy-going vibes drove the young and cool crowd drawn in. To this day, I still love that studio and what they stand for; a donation-based facility, that has a teaching certification program and that ends the classes with inspiring messages of wisdom and hope.

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After taking an unwanted, short hiatus paired with my college budget for time and money, again I was forced to question the liklihood of continuing my practice. The classes offered to students on-campus had been filled and I was skeptical about my wait-list status. I knew if I wanted to keep practicing I would have to seek out classes that were both close and cheap enough.

One Sunday morning, after attending a free yoga class at Lululemon, I came across a flier for a one-month unlimited trail membership at a hot yoga facility for a considerably discounted rate. One thing turned into another, and after that glorious month of hot yoga ended, I pursued other trial memberships around the area.

Which leads me to today: my current calling, of finding and experiencing all different kinds of yoga. I had been practicing mostly Vinyasa Flow Yoga, with a little experience in Hatha and Yin yoga. After my hot yoga trial, I have tried other hot yoga and various Bikram classes.  2010 is right around the corner and I have embarked on a new mission to try a yoga class in as many new cities this year as possible. Yoga to the People was not only a great yoga class, but such a unique and non-traditional experience of New York City that it makes me ponder what other hidden yoga gems are out there. I plan to combine my passion for travel and yoga to experience these to the fullest. I want to meet fellow 'yogis' and lovers of travel, art, food, music and the other great things life has to offer!