Charlie Young
(he/him)
I started practicing a few years ago in graduate school at the University of Illinois when I saw a flyer for weekly free yoga in my office. I had been experiencing repetitive stress injuries from years of running, so it was a convenient way to recover and remain active. I was surprised at my lack of strength and mobility in areas I had overlooked while running competitively.
About a year afterwards the pandemic began, and I primarily returned to running. I finished graduate school and moved to Madison to join a UW research group about a year ago. I spent the first several months happily immersed in my new work, but eventually career and personal anxieties crept in. I also felt isolated after losing the inherent support network of graduate school. With the winter bearing down, I fractured an ankle while running, further raising my restlessness.
When my ankle healed sufficiently, I came to Inner Fire to get out of the cold. At first I was apprehensive, but I pushed myself to take full advantage of the trial month. The physical benefits of the practice were striking. I started with Power 60 classes with Claire, Tess, and Sandra, which provided the cardiovascular engagement I craved while accessing the body more holistically. Later I added Hot 90 classes with Michael and Dr. Ruddy, which highlighted many foundational aspects of fitness I was neglecting and allowed me to safely re-explore range of motion in my joints.
Beyond the physical practice, I feel my journey is just beginning. At the very least I have 60 minutes to progressively unwrap my mind from problems it binds around during the day. As the energy of practice builds there sometimes burns a bright flame. Other times after a glimpse in the mirror I ask myself, well, how did I get here? Throughout I am often happy to find consistency with personal philosophies, particularly in economy of movement and breath, and acceptance of the world around us and our place in it. These also require practice.
A related thought from Marcus Aurelius that I have enjoyed recently: “To follow the logos in all things is to be relaxed and energetic, joyful and serious at once.”