Traci Boiselle
What was the experience of your 1st Baptiste class?
My first experience with Baptiste yoga was 8 years ago. It was actually Patty that first introduced me to the practice when she invited me to take a class with her. At the time I was struggling with a lot of body image issues. I was a former unhealthy and underweight figure competitor who had gained a significant amount of weight. I was feeling very uncomfortable and unsafe in my own skin. I remember first experiencing the heat in the room and thinking that there was no way that I could do it! As the class went on and I began to take the poses, everything shifted. I felt strong and confident. In that room it did not matter what my body looked like, but what it was capable of. Within the four walls of the studio there was no judgement, just positive energy and acceptance. Life and circumstance took me from the practice shortly after that first experience, but recently I have found myself back on the mat. I was instantly reminded of the power of the practice and the mat, once again, felt like home.
Why do you Practice Baptiste Yoga?
The practice has shown a huge impact in my life on a physical level as well as on a mental health and spiritual level. As avid equestrian, I practice at the recommendation of my riding instructor. Being a dressage rider, I find benefit in the hip opening and chest/shoulder stretching particularly beneficial. Keeping my practice a regular partner with riding, my leg positioning in the saddle is greatly improved as well as a better flow of my upper body. On a mental health level, the practice is priceless. As someone who suffers from anxiety and depression, I have found that my practice has allowed me to learn to settle my mind and center myself. As someone who often finds it difficult to settle my thoughts, yoga gives me methods to calm my mind and center myself. I feel that so many with mental health struggles could find their quality of life improved with a regular yoga practice.
My promise
As part of BYPG, my commitment is to leave as positive an impact on the lives of each person that I interact with as I can. I will work to spread the power of community and connection into our small corner of a world. Today, sadly, the world can sometimes feel terribly isolating. I commit to do my part to change that for those that join our family. In passing on to others the incredible empowerment and healing of yoga, I will repay those that have given, and continue to give me, it’s gifts. I am excited to show others the beauty that is possible when the mind and body work together as a team and not adversaries. My greatest promise is to speak loudly the message that each and every body is perfect just the way that it is and that anyone can be strong and beautiful in their practice.
Quote
”We all have a soul family, the ones that ignite and support our truth. They feed something in us we weren’t aware we needed before them. They’ll make you face yourself and become raw and authentic. You’ll roam, but never too far from each other for the invisible thread of connectedness; once opened can never be locked. They are the ones that will see you through all of the important days of your life not matter what tributes or trials you face. They’ll just be there, in presence, in synchronicity, or in spirit. – Nikki Rowe.