Hello!
I was in a yoga class at my favorite yoga studio (www.sourceyogastudios.com) recently and as I was holding a pose, someone in the class let out this huge sigh.  When she did that, a few more of us did the same thing and then there was some laughter as well.  It felt good to know that others were being challenged by the pose and when we shared a laugh, there was a sense that we were all in it together.  It occurred to me that this was a very supportive environment and even though I don’t know many people in the class, for a time, we are a group of like minded people who are supporting each other with our presence and energy.  I think that’s why I prefer to go to a yoga class than do yoga by myself at home.  There just isn’t that same sense of support at home! 

This class is also a very safe place to try something new, to challenge you. No one cares if you can’t bend all the way or if you start waving around like a tree in a windstorm when you are trying to hold a pose.  It’s a place to try it out and discover how strong you really are.  Do you have places or situations like this in your life? Is there somewhere you can go to try new things and discover new things about yourself where you don’t feel vulnerable or inhibited trying?  Yoga happens to be one of the places that I go but you don’t have to take up yoga to create a supportive environment.  Join a club, pursue a hobby, volunteer for an event in your community…there are lots of ways that you can connect with supportive environments.  What are some of the things you do?  Post your ideas here – I’d love to read them! 

Joyfully,

Deb