Seeking cover in a studio rather than a coffee shop, Olivia happened into yoga on a rainy afternoon. What began as a fluke evolved in her life into a quiet revolution. She had always believed yoga was for the ultra-flexible or the constantly tranquil, but one breath at a time she was falling in love with the practice—laughing at her shaky balance.
Yoga is for Olivia about conscious movement—a ballet between effort and ease. She recalls her first sun salutation, her arms shaking but her mind felt peaceful.
It was about arriving on the mat and releasing the cacophony of the day, not about perfecting the positions. She sank more into stretches over time, her body opening like a flower following winter. Her inclination to run through life diminished along with her shoulder stiffness.
Her favourite is how yoga fits you where you live. She feels like a fighter and moves through a strong series some days. Others stay in a delicate child’s stance, cradling herself in silence. It has taught her self-patience as well as with her body. She advises novices to begin small—perhaps with a five-minute stretch—and to breathe as though it were the most vital thing in the world. Because, at that instant it is.
Review of products: Olivia’s go-to companion is the Manduka PRO Yoga Mat. This Manduka premium mat gives precisely the correct cushion and grip, which grounds her even during hot flows. She like its strength and how it helps her knees in extended holds. It’s a splurge worth making—check it out on Amazon here: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat.
The road Olivia travels reminds us that yoga is about present rather than perfection. Roll out a mat, inhale deeply, then let the motion transport you.
