I finally did it. I went to a yoga class for the first time in ten years and because of my rewarding experience with the Green Maya Project, I am officially a yogi. 

My Story

As a former soccer player, I was under the impression that yoga wasn’t enough ‘action’ for me. I had taken a few classes here and there during my college years but ultimately decided that “ Yoga just wasn’t my thing.”

After suffering from a torn ACL in 2019,  I struggled with the harsh reality that I wouldn’t be able to continue playing contact sports like soccer. The doctor suggested that I try different kinds of low-impact exercises like swimming or yoga… so long story short, here I am talking about how much I enjoy yoga. 

A year out from surgery, I got a spark of motivation and gave yoga another go. I decided to attend a Yoga session hosted by Green May Project with an open mind, and I am so glad I did.

Here’s what I discovered:

Yoga is an Intense Work-Out

Yoga requires lots of strength, and I admit that I might have fallen over once or twice when I couldn’t hold the poses. Nevertheless, it was a rewarding experience that had me coming back for more.

It strengthens, tightens, and stretches muscles that you don’t often use and helps athletes enhance their abilities. For example, yoga can help runners become more flexible and improve their balance.  

Yoga is for Everyone

The environment is calming and welcoming at Green Maya Project. The instructors are patient and inspiring, so I was able to overcome my apprehension. Sarah, the owner and founder of the Green Maya project, made me feel so comfortable and assured me that I could do it. 

I let go of my insecurities when I realized that yoga is for everyone. It’s for all ages, shapes, and sizes, and everyone is on their own individual yoga journey.

Yoga is Powerful

As someone who suffers from anxiety, yoga has been a positive way for me to relax and clear my mind. It’s a powerful and fulfilling practice that is about looking inwards. It’s about moving your body in a way that feels right to you and finding harmony between your mind and body. 

Yoga is Personal

I love how the class with Green Maya Project is focused on the fact that you are “exactly where you need to be.” Everybody is different, and if you can’t hit a pose - that’s okay. If you need to do an easier version of a pose- that’s okay too. 

The instructor emphasizes that it’s important to do what feels best for you, and there is no need to compare yourself to others. It’s all about being aware of your own body. 

Yoga is better with a Sound Bowl

The yoga instructors at Green Maya Project use essential oils, candles, and sound bowls to enhance the session. A Tibetan sound bowl is an instrument that emits sounds and vibrations that help soothe your body and quiet your mind. Afterward, you feel more grounded and less tense.

Considering that yoga is as much a mental game as a physical one, these small touches make a big difference. My favorite part of the yoga sessions with the Green Maya Project is the last 10 minutes.

To bookend each yoga class, we lay in Savasana with the lights off and listen to the peaceful sounds of the sound bowl. All the worries of your day wash away, and you feel truly present - you aren’t worried about the project you have due tomorrow or the bill you forgot to pay yesterday.

To Sum up

Whether you are already a seasoned yogi or if you are a novice giving it a chance, you will enjoy a yoga class with Green Maya Project. Yoga has countless benefits, and with Green Maya Project, it is more than just an exercise class; it is an experience. 

Love, Layla Jones Merida, Yucatan