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Ann Marie Kramer’s Life Changing Experience with Yoga
My name is Ann Marie Kramer. I have been practicing yoga for the past 4 months and have fallen in love with it. I have exercised regularly since I was a teenager, but I was shocked at how much more yoga had to offer. My sisters have practiced for the past few years and had always urged me to give it a try. But being busy with two little kids I never made the time.
But being busy with two little kids I never made the time.
This past fall I decided it was time to try something new and signed up for the new student package. I had no idea how the next 10 days would change my life. I attended as many classes as I could, I was so eager to learn and gain strength in my practice. I couldn’t get enough. Once my 10 days were up it was clear that I was hooked. I felt amazing physically and a sense of calm and freedom I hadn’t felt in many years.
I felt amazing physically and a sense of calm and freedom I hadn’t felt in many years.
Being a mother to two young children, I am always so busy taking care of my family that I rarely make anytime for myself. I finally made a point to take sometime each day to do something for me. And yoga has been a great outlet for me.
When I am on my mat I do not allow myself to think about the list of things that need to get done that day. This is time for me and it has enriched my life. I always look forward to the passage reading or quotes at the end of practice. For me the most powerful has been a quote that Marina recited a while ago, “Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind always.”
This is time for me and it has enriched my life.” tweet=”Yoga is time for me and it has enriched my life.
I have to speak to the physical changes that I have experienced as well. I have suffered with poor body image since I was a teenager. I have always been a yoyo dieter. When life gets busy my diet and time for exercise are the first things that suffer. Since I began my yoga practice I have committed to finding time to be present on my mat and this in turn has helped me to stay focus on changing the way that I eat, not dieting. I continue to see such a change in my strength and muscle tone every week. I feel better about myself today than I ever have and it has given me such a boost in my self confidence.
I feel better about myself today than I ever have and it has given me such a boost in my self confidence.
I love the challenge of inversions or forearm balances. The sense of accomplishment when I am able to have a breakthrough on my mat is so uplifting and leaves me feel empowered.
I love the challenge of inversions or forearm balances.” tweet=”I love the challenge of inversions or forearm balances.
I am so excited to continue my practice with MBFY and our community. I learn something new on my mat every time, whether it is a new pose or something I take from a passage read at the end, and I am always thankful that I made the time to be there.
Leave a comment below. What breakthroughs have you experienced in your yoga journey? What initially held you back?
What’s Ann Marie’s Pose About?
This is a pose, which increases core and upper body strength. The resulting shape is a deep opening and stretch in the thighs and hip flexors. Watch Ann Marie enter into this asana from Chair Pose (Utkatasana). She will exit the pose and land in Mountain Pose (Tadasana).
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to try this yoga pose, or if you have already started to experiment and play around with it.
Tips
- Engage your core
- Bring your shoulder blades together and down
- Do not let your head hang
Benefits
- Focus on the wrists and strengthens the arms
- With a proper abdominal lock this asana will tones, massages and cleans the abdominal organs
- Strengthens the spine
Caution
- First time trying this pose, start with your legs supported. Ask your instructor or a partner for help. If on your own make sure to use a bolster or yoga block. If at home use a chair or firm cushion.
- Do not attempt if you have back, wrist or arm injury.
How has your yoga practice changed your life? What initially held you back?
