“Sometimes I pray: be well, dear tiny wildflower; stand up tall in that sidewalk crack. Surrender, oh hardy firs, on these windswept avenues! Oh, ye year-round flowers! May you never be taken for granted!”
–Mary Klipp
My yoga journey began with a promise I made to my son Josh’s plea to promise him to “Just try it, Mom. Just try it.” Okay, okay, I said, “I promise.”
The IYI was just beginning to offer a new class called Gentle Yoga, for people who may have various physical problems. Josh had heard about the class and thought I’d be a good fit. I have had a paralyzed left arm after having polio when I was almost 3 years old, several years before the vaccine became available.
So, in 2011 I went to IYI and met my first teacher, Jai, a pony-tailed, purple-haired gentleman. The class was quite small and included yoga nidra. I was immediately smitten and have never looked back!
A lifelong church-going, choir-singing Catholic, I have been a pray-er all those years, but Yoga introduced me to the practice of meditation. Certainly the church has a great history of contemplative prayer, even whole religious orders dedicated to its practice. However, I never learned, much less practiced, the actual elements of quieting the body and mind until Gentle Yoga! Yoga has, in effect, strengthened my own faith and deepened my prayer life.
I took full advantage of a number of Yoga Classes on specialized techniques in practice, theory classes, and more. I have always been impressed by the kindness, gentleness, and hospitality shown to visitors. Its warm energy is actually palpable!
The benefits of Yoga practice combined with my own Faith experience have been real and deep. I feel more peaceful, less anxious. I have received consistent practice in accessing a peaceful place inside of me. My respiratory ability, flexibility, stamina, balance, and overall strength – all of these areas have been maintained and improved over these years without strain, plus the additional benefit of my body’s being a “moving meditation!” Wow! In addition, I have made wonderful, supportive friends, who have taught me so much about serving with love! I am very, very grateful.
Hear about Mary’s seva in her own words in this video.