Yoga: yoking. Because I have not studied or read up on yoga, I speak from my experience. For me, the yoking is of mind-body-spirit. Interesting that Jesus is remembered as saying, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This captures my experience of yoga. Yoga eases the often heavy yoke I carry across my shoulders (my shoulders are often tight), lightening my burden. The yoke and burden remain; however, I am eased and lightened by the end of a yoga practice.

I began weekly yoga class 15 years ago the September after my late husband died. For several years a friend had encouraged me to try Ramesh’s class. Now I found solace in the quiet and rhythmic sessions. Early on, during the meditations tears came unbidden. The stretches and postures led me into a physical release as re-memberings of my late husband arose. Space for silent tears and healing breaths. Lightening my burden as I grieved while being held by the practice within the class.

Since that first class, unless I am out of town or indisposed in some way, I have been present. Since I married again twelve years ago, my husband has joined me. The healing energy of yoga has become almost as important as the air I breathe.

Ramesh, who was taught by a master yogi from India, has been an “initiated” yogi for over 40 years. His classes are part of his practice; the classes’ financial contributions cover the rental cost of the space. With an American name, he is a college professor in his day job . His Pranayama, the breath of life energy, practice includes beginning  with stretching followed by silent meditation. The stretches and postures are done in relation to “breath in and breathe out”, always through the nostrils. Near the end of the class during the second meditation, Ramesh offers his wisdom as we lie in corpse position, releasing ourselves “into the floor”. Body still; mind quiet; spirit listening. Yoga.