Meet Virginia.
Sharing a meal with her sisters, she is on the far right.
Virginia is such a light in my week, an eager student, a friendly smile and always a positive attitude. If there was need to exemplify the “beginner mind’ I would think of Virginia who welcomes each class as another opportunity to explore and broaden her horizons. Through difficult times she has held fast to her practice and enthusiasm for learning. As I have gotten to know her, it seems every conversation reveals another fascinating detail be it her immersion in Spanish, care and love of her family, her classes on Film Documentary, her genuine awareness and interest in community efforts and the list goes on. Chatting with Virginia always enriches my day.
I asked her the usual questions…
Q: How long have you been practicing Yoga?
A: I began practicing Birkam Yoga about 7 years ago at the behest of my Spanish teacher who had started practicing yoga. I found the Bikram extremely challenging but continued with it – determined to “be successful” – until early this year when I finally realized that I wasn’t finding joy in my practice. It was exhausting me. I was only able to take one class per week as the heat and the closed in feeling of the room wore me out. So, I started practicing at the Tully Center in Stamford where I found the classes less exhausting . . . enabling me to take more than one class per week and to begin to see some progress and improvement. My first exposure to Kripalu was a class I took on Lighthouse Beach in Chatham, MA (Cape Cod). A few years ago, a Kripalu trained teacher started offering classes every summer morning at 7:30. I fell in love with the classes immediately. I am sure that the early morning sunlight, the beautiful white sandy beach and the mighty North Atlantic are part of what seduced me. But, it was not all. The practice itself was so spiritual and fulfilling. Last summer I went to Lenox for a week of Kripalu yoga practice; that week convinced me. I realized that with the Bikram Yoga I had been fighting with my body and wearing myself out. With Kripalu yoga I had found a way to be at peace with myself.
Q:What fills your time off the mat?
A: I am retired now, so off the mat I fill my days studying Spanish and teaching English as a Second Language to adults – as part of the Stamford Public Schools Continuing Education Program. In the winter, I enjoy NYC – museums, opera and symphony – and in the summer, I garden and spend time at my family’s home on Cape Cod. Friends and family are essential to my happiness.
Q:How does Yoga affect your life off the mat?
A: Yoga really helps me to manage stress in my life. I realize that many people think as soon as one retires there is no more stress. Unfortunately, that’s not true. I wish it were. Importantly, yoga enables me to bring a sense of spirituality to my life. It was the physical aspects of yoga that initially attracted me – having been a person who has exercised most of my adult life. But, as I have continued with the practice I have come to realize how important the spiritual aspects of my practice are to me. They help me to bring a real sense of calm to my day to day life.
Q:What would you like to share with others about Yoga?
A: Yoga has become an integral part of my life since retiring. Before this final third phase of my life began, I thought long and hard about how I wanted to live. I realized that I wanted to remain intellectually challenged; to finally – after commuting into New York for 30 years – find a place to connect with my community and give to people who are less fortunate than I am; and to find a way to keep my body active and healthy and to nourish my spiritual needs. My Spanish classes, ESL teaching and – importantly my yoga practice – have helped me to find the balance in my life that I had hoped for.
I suppose the ESL teaching is my community work. I earned an ESL teaching certificate from the New School University – finishing the program in December last year. In the Spring I assisted another teacher – volunteering – and this Fall I have my own classroom. If there are other ESL teachers who would like to share ideas I would love to do that. Or if anyone is interested in teaching, I am happy to talk with you about my experiences. I can be reached at vpatkins68 @ aol dot com.
