Peach Friedman
author, educator & trainer
intuitive fitness for women

I guess it’s one of the more obvious benefits of yoga, but I feel so much more grounded and in my body after practicing. This week is going to be chaotic: I have three talks for Eating Disorders Awareness Week, two 6am classes, a group at Summit, and, um, to pack all my earthly belongings into boxes for their exciting adventure in the moving truck.

I hope you won’t think too poorly of me if I tell you that, with all this in mind, I ran around the first half of today like a chicken with my head cut off. I’ll spare you the details, but when I finally rolled out my manduka mat and tuned into some Girish (thank you sweet baby Victoria for good afternoon naps) it was like coming home. And literally, at home, in my living room.

I never used to think I could enjoy or even really have a home practice, but since becoming mommy to my sweet one, it’s become my regular way of getting in my daily (or every-other-daily, or at least a couple-times-a-weekly) asana. And today, I love it. I think that’s a sign of how yoga has changed me, actually–because now instead of flying through some sequencing and jumping up to pee or answer the phone or jot down something I have to do, these days when I practice in my underpants amidst toys and books and the phone rings…those distractions of home surrounding me just dissolve into the background. I’m able to truly tune into my body, have a genuine, breath-filled practice, and it feels as complete as when I’m in the studio.

Of course, I do miss the inspiration from amazing teachers, and the community of practicing with other people, which is why I take a class whenever I can. But the point is: we carry our yoga with us. From the studio to the home, from the mat into life…

Now, back to my To Do List!