Claire Haldan is a needlepoint teacher and designer who has spent her life in the Bay Area. She began practicing yoga regularly with us almost six years ago and has since taken almost 500 classes. Claire loves Bikram yoga and says her mind and body like the rhythm of the same exercises and the discovery of subtlety that brings. She says, “Yoga has helped to keep my back strong and my muscles more limber. It brings energy and a great sense of well being to daily life. The multi-level benefits have come for me, as the teachers tell us, when we let go and just move with what they are saying, letting the yoga happen and not trying so hard to be in control”.
Claire’s lovely smile and warm disposition definitely reflect her calm state of mind. Her teachers can tell that she comes to her mat with the attitude of an open and humble student ready to embrace each session. She says, “What keeps me coming back is the ever increasing sense of serenity that regular practice brings, the physical well being, the wonderful teachers who inspire each time, the camaraderie of doing something as a group no matter what different levels people are at, the freedom to be at your own pace and know that beauty of the place we are in. There is great mental and physical freedom in yoga as it becomes an on going part of my life. As there are only the set poses to do and improve as you are able, little by little, so little things in life are sometimes more important that the big things we can get so caught up in. Watch for the daily little joys, the small steps we each achieve and know that as we are attune to them the other things will fall into place”.
Thanks to our student of the month, Claire, for sharing her story with us.