Name: Deandra
Pronouns: She/Her
When did you start coming to Just B Yoga? What attracted you?
I started coming to Just B Yoga in the summer of 2022. One of my coworkers at my job told me about a class that was on Thursdays and invited me to come with her one day. My first class was amazing and I enjoyed the flow, practice and environment. Also loved Belinda’s energy she brought to the class.
Why did you start practicing yoga?
I started practicing yoga because I was having anxiety and panic attacks often and I was trying to find some form of exercise that would help me cope and make me feel my calm. That’s what yoga provided. It’s been such a great form of exercise for me and a coping mechanism.
What’s your favorite class & why?
Flow yoga and restorative yoga. I like the more fast pace of the yoga flow and it feels like a good workout but also gentle. I like restorative because it is slow and it allows me to really work on my breathing.
What’s your favorite and least favorite postures and why?
My favorite pose is child’s pose because I feel I can completely let go of all of my tension in my body. It feels so comfortable. My least favorite pose is chair pose because it can be challenging to hold the posture long but I’m sure over time it will grow easier with practice
What is yoga to you?
Yoga to me is a safe place. I feel the most safe and feel the most freedom to be me when I am on the mat and practicing. Yoga allows me to think about myself and what I need and my body needs at the time. Self care is something I have been learning to include in my lifestyle and yoga is part of my self care.
How has yoga surprised you?
I did not know that yoga would be equally as good for me mentally as it is physically. It’s a good surprise that I am not only giving my body what it needs and wants but also my mental as well.
What are you working on right now on or off the mat?
Right now on the mat I want to work on more balance and flexibility when it comes to my practice.
Have you seen your practice impact the rest of your life? If so how?
Yes, I have seen my practice impact my life. I have become more gentle with myself and more in tune with what I need and want. It has decreased my anxiety and panic attacks since I started. Overall yoga has been something I have grown to truly enjoy and brings me happiness to do.
How do you feel your yoga helps others ?
I feel my yoga has helped me want to share with others how impactful it has been. I try to give people around me my experience in hopes they will want to start their own journey in yoga like I have.