I didn’t find yoga it found me.

as shared by Phillip Khan, PCPY teacher and student.

October 20, 2023.

The cosmos could not scheme a better lesson for this week and for my 400th class at Port City Power Yoga.

I didn’t find yoga it found me, to say I am not a typical yogi is an understatement. In the summer of 2021, I was sitting on my couch 20 months into COVID-19, and like many, I wasn’t in the best shape physically or mentally. While scrolling through social media I noticed a post in my community group “Free Yoga 9:00 am Wallace Park” from Katelyn Maginnes. To this day I am not sure why I showed up. Meeting strangers at the park. to do yoga!!! It was way outside my comfort zone but I showed up, and it was hard, I couldn’t keep up and many of the poses seemed inconceivable (looking at your crow & side plank)  but everyone was encouraging and friendly.

A few days later I saw another post “Free yoga  9:00 Wallace Park”. This continued through the summer and I attended anytime the weather cooperated (sometimes when it wouldn’t) after a few months Katelyn told me about her plan to open PCPY a few blocks from my house. Join a yoga studio that is way out of my comfort zone. To be honest I felt like I owed it to her to give it a try after all the free classes. I don’t remember when I found out it was going to be hot yoga, I can only imagine the look on my face 😂 but at least it wouldn’t rain on us and no one had to mow the grass anymore.

I signed up and it changed my life. It was hot, I could not keep up and the poses still seemed impossible. However I kept showing up and eventually, the temperature didn’t bother me, the tempo seemed to slow as I learned to move with my breath and the impossible became possible.

So what is the moral of this story? Step outside your comfort zone, it might just change your life.

I am about to celebrate my 400th yoga class, my second 40-day challenge, my 40th birthday, and the 2nd anniversary of PCPY, and now I teach. I could not ask for a better community to share the journey with. #yoga #baptisteyoga