I don’t know about you, I’m guilty of having paid a month or more for a gym membership I didn’t use. It’s that guilt of knowing all the benefits to exercise which makes cancelling the membership feel like a failure moment. And of course, while some gyms are open now, thanks COVID, concern still lurks in the minds of many about exercising at the gym.

Certifying to be a Yoga instructor, I want to live the freedom that Yoga offers. The beauty of Yoga is you can take it anywhere with you. Bare necessities. And so when I find my outdoor home yoga studio at the receiving end of persistent rain showers, my first thought is, why are you surprised? Welcome to working outdoors, I’ve made good friends with nature’s natural friends, from creepy crawling to biting and flying.

My one bedroom basement apartment doesn’t allow for much space for anything, so I’ve had to become master at solving issues requiring space. After all, problem solving is right up my alley. And as I learn to thrive from struggling with anxiety, I find myself leaning more and more towards yoga, taking it anywhere I need to be.

The hallway and that little space under the stairs has literally solved all my space-needing activities issues. Yoga and meditation practice has opened my eyes, mind and heart to mindfulness. In this Mental Health series, I will dig deeper into the beauty I find around me as I grow in my practice with my community while advocating for mental health.