Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Yogitales - Stacie Kallenberg


Yogitales are your stories. At New York Yoga, we are continually inspired by what we hear from our students, about how yoga has had a transformative effect on their bodies and spirits. We wanted to share those stories with our community of yogis, and Yogitales was born.




I first practiced yoga on Sunday, February 12, 2012.  This date will forever be ingrained into my brain because it literally changed my life forever.  I had been on bed rest for the 8 weeks prior with a severed left ACL and a torn right ACL. Then on that Friday (2/10/12) I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that I would never be able to run again.  I was devastated, having been a competitive marathoner and triathlete.  Trying to comfort me, a friend recommended that I try hot yoga as he said it would give me the same feeling as the "runner's high" and an incredible cardio workout.  So on a very cold February evening I decided I had absolutely nothing to lose and found New York Yoga.  And that was the day I was "born again"! Yoga enabled me to run again; however, that became secondary as it did so much more for my mind and soul than my physical being.

My daily yoga practice has become a liberating and cathartic addition to my life.  I am a  perfectionist, and as a competitive swimmer my entire life, as well as being a marathon runner, my entire life has focused on being the best, the fastest, and always competing with myself for a new PR.  I have found that yoga allows me to come to my mat and "practice" without being the best or the fastest and that is such a liberating feeling. For the first time in my life I give myself permission not to be perfect. I always say that my yoga mat is my "playground" for my soul.

Yoga is food and nourishment for my body, mind & soul. It is my gift/treat to myself everyday. Yoga is the gift that keeps on giving to the yogi and the world around them. 

I will move mountains (or at least my calendar) to make it to Jackie Simon, Jimmy Burgio, Alison Riazi, Dayle Pivetta, Ryan Lile, & Cara Cooley's classes at New York Yoga. They are AMAZING!!! They lead a very rigorous & challenging practice with a lot of flow, but at the same time they inspire yogi's with their insight, spirituality, awesome playlists and encouragement.  They truly represent yoga "union" at its best.

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