The Yoga Loft Storybook: Elizabeth Worster

Why/When/Where did you start practicing yoga?
On Sunday 6/12/16 at 10 AM, on a foggy drizzly Sunday, I attended my first ever yoga class at the Yoga Loft in Marblehead. I searched on-line for yoga in Marblehead, and found the Yoga Loft information and schedule. I was looking for something different to do besides going for a jog. After class, I left the studio with a 10 class card and a new yoga mat … purchased on the spot which I still use today.

I felt different that entire day. I couldn’t wait to do it again. At age 56, I spent the day pondering why I had not tried this sooner. It felt like a switch had been turned on inside of me.

How has yoga changed/influenced your life?
The changes have come in phases. The first phase was physical. I could bend over and pick something up off the floor with ease. I felt so different in my upper body; for example holding a book to read, or my hands on the steering wheel of my car. I felt different, strong, and poised. That summer I had a rare 2 week vacation where I went to yoga daily … sometimes even twice. I started to make my daily schedule around my yoga classes.

The second phase was mental. At work, under stressful conditions, I started to notice my breathing and my composure. My husband noticed a difference in my attitude, my outlook, and in my enthusiasm to continue cultivating my yoga practice. My colleagues at work also noticed a difference in my attitude.

The third (current) phase is goal setting. I am starting to set goals related to my yoga practice. I ask instructors questions on form. My goal right now is to work on strengthening my core, and be more aware of my breathing.

I am still experiencing strides in all of these 3 phases. I always attend 4 classes per week, and on a good week 5 or 6. Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday are solid, not to miss classes. I add Monday and Wednesday as my schedule permits.

What has been your experience practicing at The Yoga Loft?
I love every class I have tried! In the beginning, I did not realize that there were different class styles, or certainly that the same class could be so different between instructors. Now that I have had a chance to sample most of the schedule, I am amazed at how each instructor incorporates their own unique style into their particular class. I love all of them! I have always had a good experience at the Yoga Loft!

Anything else you wish to share about your yoga journey?
I don’t know if this is unusual, but I now feel as if I could not live without yoga, and I envision myself practicing yoga forever.