So here I am, living in Central Phoenix. First time in my life I've had my home base outside the East Valley, and I find myself 16 miles from the yoga studio I've been practicing at for eight years. I love that studio. It's where I took my teacher training, it's where I've found some of my best friends, and (full disclosure,) as one of the major blessings in my life, it's where I get yoga classes for free.
I'm loyal. My entire practice has grown and developed from that studio. I love beyond measure the yogis that call it home, and take great joy in the loving community that comes from there.
But, 16 miles? During rush hour, if I'm trying to get to a 9am, or 4:30 or 6pm class? It's not practical. It's too much time behind the wheel burning fossil fuels and spinning my gears to justify the 75 minute yoga class. As wrenching as it is, geography is pushing me to finding a new locals for my yoga practice.
What about the Benjamins? Glad you asked.
I'm low on funds. Super low. It doesn't bother me to any great degree; I've never been particularly money motivated - that's probably why I rarely have any. I've been so fortunate to be able to practice on the house for the past few years; it's been a huge factor in allowing me to have yoga as such a huge part of my life.
Maybe it's also been a crutch?
I'm excited to venture out to new studios, to find new elements of yoga and a new depth to my practice. The teachers at home are phenomenal, some of the best teachers in the state (the country? the world?) but they're not the only worthy teachers out there. So I'm committed to opening and expanding, to rolling out my mat in new places and observing the experience. And I'm going to do it on the cheap.
Most yoga studios in the valley have some sort of intro package, some sort of deal where for a twenty-spot one can get a few weeks of unlimited classes at their studio. I intend to go to all the studios within a reasonable distance and take full advantage of these offers. I intend to find yoga on my mat wherever I go. This blog is a record of that journey.
