A heartwarming yoga experience with Charlotte Bell

I indulged in some quality time a couple weeks ago when I took a vacation from my day job and set some worthy goals for myself. My husband was on a river rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, and because we don’t have any children, I had glorious alone time to do what I wanted, and I was in heaven.

One of the things I rewarded myself with was to attend a yoga class taught by Charlotte Bell, author of Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life, a book that graces the shelf  in my yoga room. I’ve always wanted to go to her classes, but  because they’re at 5:00 in the evening, my work schedule keeps me from doing so, and I’m sad about that. I’d so much love to be one of her regular students.

I was a little unfamiliar with the location and I arrived just a minute or two late, and I was upset with myself. Luckily, she and her students were still engaged in conversation while stragglers (me) wandered in, so I didn’t feel so bad. I don’t like being late to any yoga class. I believe in settling in and meditating for a few minutes, and getting comfortable in my surroundings.

As I was setting up my mat, Charlotte came by and welcomed me to the class and told me that I looked familiar, although I don’t think she’d ever seen me before. She also said she was honored that I wanted to come to her class, and I felt really, really special. The pleasure and honor was all mine.

I wish I could attend Charlotte’s classes all the time and learn from her and teach with her. Her class was easygoing and engaging, and she was a real person, not someone I only imagined from afar or from the words in her book or from her photo on her web site.

Child's pose

That won’t be the last time I’ll see Charlotte as the Universe has lined up opportunities for me in the future and I am very grateful. I’ll be signing up for a Relax & Renew Restorative Yoga Teacher Training next February with Charlotte Bell and Judith Lasater, right here in Salt Lake City, and I’ll get the opportunity to get to know Charlotte and Judith, and learn what I really want to teach in my ever-expanding yoga teaching career. Judith Lasater is the author of the acclaimed book on restorative yoga Relax & Renew, Restful Yoga for Stressful Times.

Charlotte is also offering a restorative yoga class on Monday evenings at 7:15 p.m. at Avenues Yoga. Click here for more information.

Photo Credit: www.inneridea.com