Often when I travel, I seek out a yoga studio in the area that I’m visiting. While I love my Hot Yoga Spot home, it’s always interesting to me to see other studios and experience new flows.
In Montreal, there were a lot of options in the Plateau neighborhood where we were staying and I spent a little time checking out locations, both online and on foot, before settling on Idolem’s St. Laurent location and booking a spot for a Friday morning class.
I arrived a little early, did a quick peek at the facilities when I stashed my stuff into a locker in the very nice changing/shower/bathroom area and entered the studio. It was really beautiful with large windows, a wooden floor marked tidily with tape to define mat placement and props neatly shelved and available for use.
As class start time drew closer, the studio filled in. Despite the number of attendees (I’d estimate there were 40-50 people present) I was struck by the wonderful quiet. No one was talking or scrolling on phones, two things I find to be intrusive in a yoga studio. The instructor arrived and began class.
And I was lost.
The class, of course, was in French, a language I speak only in restaurant dialect. This was going to be a challenging class in a completely foreign (ha!) way.
So, instead of my usual frequently-closed-eyes fashion of flow, I was going to have to rely upon my neighboring yogis for guidance. I focused on a couple of nearby mats and simply followed the actions of members of the community.
It was a novel experience. Or should I say nouveau? Being dependent upon my eyes rather than my ears changed the class in an unexpected way. Instead of feeling a direct connection to the person leading the class, I found myself a part of a larger group absorbing the practice. Even when I fell a beat or pose behind, I didn’t feel isolated.
Yoga means union, a melange of mind, body and spirit, and I felt all of those deeply. It was a great experience and exercise.
Sometimes getting lost, helps one find their way. Step out of your comfort zone and see what you might find.
DelSo 