Yoga at the Capitol
by Madeline Carson – Medical Assistant

Final Kick – Ankle & Foot

What do you get when you have Lulu Lemon partner up with some of the most inspirational yoga studios in Salt Lake City?

A bunch of yogis looking forward to Wednesdays!

The State of Mind: lululemon Yoga at the Capitol series started back in July for its third season. These yoga classes were definitely a highlight of my summer. The benefits of yoga seem to be amplified when they are combined with the warm summer breeze, sunshine, great music, and awesome instructors. Additionally, practicing on grass adds an additional element of skill to the practice!

There were yogis of all levels, ages, and backgrounds in attendance. It was great to feed off of all the different energies, of so many people coming to experience a higher version of themselves. People would even bring their cute doggies and their not so quiet kids, but even in those instances, the yoga instructors were able to improvise on the matter by stating, “be as care free in this position and in your mind as the laughter of the children you’re hearing around you.”

If you aren’t pumped up yet for the classes are Aug 23rd and Sept 6th from 7:00pm-8:00pm, keep reading to hear a bit more on my take of this amazing opportunity!

These classes are the perfect opportunity to introduce people to the various types of yoga studios in the Salt Lake area. I experienced a taste of what Corepower Yoga, Salt Lake Power Yoga, and Settled Yoga instructors were all about. Corepower Yoga’s class was strong and dynamic. Salt Lake Power Yoga was all about commUNITY. Settled Yoga focused their practice flow around the art of balancing ease and effort. Each concept was uniquely beautiful to integrate into my current practice. I would leave each class feeling more centered, and primed for whatever lay ahead.

Basically yoga is awesome! I recall starting yoga to help with my flexibility for dance training. I quickly started reaping all the stress relieving benefits of the practice as well.  Furthermore, yoga can be an important asset to anyone’s life, especially our patients. The mental and physical strength acquired from yoga can be life changing.

You owe it to yourself to give just one class a try. Many studios will offer a free or discounted class rate for newbie. Better yet, The State of Mind classes are always free! And, leave your ego at the door! One instructor taught that yoga is not about comparing one’s self to others. Once you can hone in on what you’re feeling and push to your own limits during a practice, it doesn’t matter if someone can do a different twist in a pose. Bottom line, don’t worry if you are terrible at stretching or balancing, just show up and participate.

The State of Mind: Yoga at The Capitol gave me one hour to escape from the busy world. We are all guilty of forgetting to live in the moment. This series helped me be to be present and focused, more importantly grateful. I would lay on my back during savasana, or corpse pose, and look up at the sky, appreciating the great weather, the great practice that just occurred, and finally the ability to relax.