I went to a yoga class last week for the first time in several months. In the past, I had a partner in crime that joined me in the downward/upward dogs but, this time I came to class alone.

I have to admit, I felt self-conscious, my body did not behave or stand up to the challenging postures as well as it had in the past. Time away = my muscles go on vacation. As the class went on I quickly recalled why I loved being there. Each person in the class was there for a common purpose. They had put aside “life” and noise and made a conscious choice to be present in our class.

Unlike the world that exists off the mat, there was no competition, no judgment, no clicks…. There was simply breath, restorative movement and a focus on calm. Repeating postures together, following each others breath; I began to feel community with these strangers. I felt supported and encouraged as we migrated from pose to pose.

As the class wound down there was this strange yet so very comforting sense of security among these strangers; the room felt safe. There are few places where I feel completely free of my hang-ups, entirely secure and sound… Being a part of this class felt that way. As the group began to bundle up and face the elements of the outside world, I took a deep breath in and was ready to face the day….. I can’t wait to return to the mat.