Cassie Douglas

Yoga Instructor

Topeka Yoga Network

For years i didn’t give yoga a second thought.  I had this vision that yoga was for  a certain body type that was flexible and bendable and that wasn’t me. In my early 40s I experienced a life changing event and like many people that had me reevaluate life.  I became a cancer survivor.  I decided it was time to do things I always wanted to do or I said I would do when I have more time.  No, I still didn’t think I needed to join a yoga class!  I  wanted to learn to kayak and hike, to start exploring and become more adventurous.My first exposure to yoga was in a class learning how to improve paddling skills for kayaking.  Core strength and balance are important and I was introduced to mountain pose and tree pose as examples  of ways to improve both.  I thought, ok I can do these. From there I decided to try a yoga class.  My first class I tumbled over trying a balancing pose.  It was hilarious to me and no one seemed to mind.  I made it through class and thought it was fun enough I had to go back. Everyone starts somewhere and this was my start.  I was surprised to find what yoga was vs what I thought it was.  I began going to different classes and studios exploring what worked for me and what didn’t.I found Topeka Yoga Network at a NOTO event. The class was challenging, the teacher provided cues that a novice like me could understand and modifications I needed.  I spent time in private sessions and in studio classes through my yoga journey and growing in my practice.I found the more I practiced the better I felt.  I found a variety of classes that fit for me for different  reasons.  An early morning class before work gave me energy to tackle the day.  A class after work gave me outlet for stress and allowed me to go into the evening without carrying baggage from work.  I love a great flow class that builds strength, connects the mind, body and breath.  They provide the right balance to make me feel like I worked my body and rested my mind.  The addition of a restorative class was perfect way to really reset my perspective, fully decompress and tell myself it is ok to just ‘be’ and rejuvenate for the week.I began contemplating teacher training.  I wanted to learn more about how and why yoga worked.  I wasn’t  thinking I wanted to teach class; I wanted to deepen my knowledge and enhance my practice for me personally. As I started training I enjoyed learning about the philosophy , poses, how to support others that want to participate in class.  The opportunity to share yoga with someone that could possibly benefit like I became interesting  to me.  I thought about how grateful I was that I found yoga teachers that were willing to spend time and help me in my practice and how awesome that would be to do for someone else.  I am looking forward to share that yoga really is for every body, every day people like me, at all different levels.  What matters is just showing up for you.  The rest works itself out.