I had the opportunity this summer to provide yoga assists at one of the coolest yoga events I’ve ever attended. A group called BelieveinCLE was formed in 2013 to bring together yogis throughout northern Ohio in some pretty sweet venues to collectively raise the vibration and LOVE for Cleveland (and yoga). This particular event on Mall B in downtown Cleveland was part of the welcoming kick-off ceremonies for the Gay Games, and there were over 2,000 yogis in attendance for an awesome yoga practice. As the sun set, we witnessed a rainbow of laser lights shining over us and the downtown skyline.

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Photo courtesy of Shel Jane Greenberg Ginger*Snapshot Photography

As I walked through the yoga mats offering assists, I noticed a rather large young man dressed in attire looking more ready to step onto a football field than a yoga mat. He was coming into trikonasana rather awkwardly (which I say without judgment, but with a loving heart), so I walked up next to him and offered an assist to bring him into the proper alignment in the pose. As I helped him lift his right arm up, his body flowed into a graceful ease. He enthusiastically thanked me for the assist and proceeded to tell me that this was his very first yoga class. I congratulated him on picking such an opportune first class and assured him that he was doing great and to keep smiling and enjoying himself.

More than midway through the class I saw him again, and from the look on his face I could tell that fatigue was setting in. I caught his eye and gave him a thumbs-up for encouragement, and he nodded back with a smile.

As the class was winding down and the yogis were coming into savasana, I saw the young man and went over to help adjust his shoulders. As I did, I said to him, “Congratulations, you made it through your very first yoga class!” He got a huge grin on his face and said to me, “I think my life has changed tonight!” I started to laugh and teasingly told him to watch out, that yoga can become contagious, and that I could foresee him wanting to practice all the time. He just smiled, nodded his head, and said, “Yeah I think so too.”

YOGA … IT HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM YOU

The power of yoga can change your life! I’ve always known this, but it was a beautiful reminder to see the blissed out faces of so many yogis that night and to hear it confessed so truthfully by someone who probably never imagined he would step on a yoga mat, let alone to end up liking it so much.

Terminal Tower

Believe me when I tell you the yogis who assembled that night brought

enough wattage to light up the Terminal Tower like this!

I’m sure the incredible yoga class led by Inner Bliss YogaStudio owner, Tammy Lyons and Adam Tilocco, the rockin playlist, and the combined energy and beauty of that night had a lot to do with his life-changing declaration, but you can’t deny that the unifying element is the practice itself. This yoga practice is truly transformational.

Open your hearts yogis. Come to your yoga mats each time like you are a beginner, ready and open to experience, to learn, to breathe, to grow, to be transformed by the power of yoga and let it change your life.

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A big glitter hug and Thank You to Shel Jane Greenberg Erba for sharing her lovely photography with me! I highly recommend you take a yoga class with her at One Love Yoga in Kent, Ohio!

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