Since joining the Experience Life staff just over a year ago, I’ve been introduced to lots of new ideas, many of which have worked their way into my daily life in terms of what I eat, how and when I exercise, and trying to live mindfully. But none of my new habits have affected me as much as yoga. And my journey started at the photo shoot for the “Yoga 4 You” article in our April 2013 issue.

Watching our yogi models through my camera lens gave me insight into the way yoga transforms us. I noticed not only the physical strength and grace they each possessed, but also their calm demeanors. The common denominator between them, obviously, is their yoga practice, so I made a New Year’s commitment to take one yoga class per week. I started with Jan Johnson‘s Monday Vinyasa Flow class, which my co-workers Courtney Helgoe and Heidi Wachter already regularly attended.

I was immediately hooked. Jan is an amazing teacher, and Courtney has been super helpful by answering my yoga questions outside of class. My one class per week quickly turned into three to four, as I found myself always needing to know when my next class would be. The LifePower Yoga program has been perfect for me in terms of balancing traditional yoga with physical fitness. I can sweat it out in a Warrior Sculpt class, or really get in touch with myself with Yin/Restorative.

As long as I know I’ll be able to attend a yoga class within a day or two, I feel like I’ll be fine no matter what life throws at me. Every class I take invigorates me emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I try to take my yoga practice off the mat and into my daily activities, and because of it, I feel like I’m slowly becoming a calmer, gentler version of myself (I have a few rough edges that could use softening up).

Thanks to all of our yogis, and especially Jan, for guiding me onto the yoga path!