Recently, I went out to Prescott, Arizona to visit an ill relative. The trip was short and a little stressful. I was practicing my dinacharya meditating and walking as much as possible, but I felt my ease slipping away.  I knew I needed to take action and head off stress. Flip the switch to maintain alignment and find and enjoy the connections to my practice. I thought about how to help myself. Find a gentle yoga class asap was my answer.

So I went online to look for a local yoga studio with a gentle class scheduled during my visit. I found a group class on Tuesday morning that seemed perfect at Lotus Blossom Yoga Studio. Lotus Blossom offers a variety of public asana classes and wellness services, including basic slow-moving practices. Gentle yoga with like-minded people is deeply restorative and relaxing. I knew it would help and ground me.

By this point of the trip, stress had settled into my body as well as my thoughts. Deepening breath and muscle movement pump lymph and flush stress hormones out of the tissues in a more profound way than meditation and relaxation. The teacher holds space as all the students consciously release stress and generate a robust, coherent field of presence and peace.

Find A Yoga Class Anywhere

While I was poking around, I found out that a teacher I know and love was also working at the studio and teaching the class before the one I had planned to take. I took this as a stronger recommendation for the studio than the excellent website. Rachel Peters is a skilled and thoughtful teacher and coach, who works in the Prescott AZ area. I hoped to get in touch, connect and catch up.

So I signed up.  Great, I told my husband I would take the morning off and recharge with gentle yoga. I arrived at the studio quite early in order to make sure that I didn’t get lost and had time to speak with my teacher and finish up any paperwork.

Enjoy The Connections With Friends When You Can

Walking into the studio, I heard a voice that I know and love. There was my friend Rachel leading a class into svasana. Ease began to flow as I listened to her voice and felt her holding the space for the practice. I checked in and sat quietly waiting for Rachel’s class to end.

We got to catch up with an unexpected visit before my class. We hugged a couple of times then I set up my mat for some yoga.  I sat on my cushion and massaged my feet in order to warm up.

Class started, and I began to move into my body and move with my breath.  By the end, I felt renewed in body, mind and attitude. Friendship and yoga were just what I needed to get back in touch with myself.

The chance to renew and enjoy the connections with friends who live far away doesn’t come every day. Some people figure out how to connect easily and automatically, but I haven’t in the past. This trip, I got an accidental present from the Prescott yoga community just when I needed it. I will remember to check for yoga friends when I travel in the future. 

Ayurselfcare’s purpose is to educate on the benefits of Ayurveda. This article is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment, or advice. All the material here is for learning purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.