Balancing Act: Yoga Essays

By Carla Jean Whitley

Carla Jean Whitley dwelled primarily in the world of her mind--and she was OK with that. That is, until she turned 30. The bookish Carla Jean recognized that finding some physical movement was the best way to keep her body, and therefore her mind, intact for the long term.
She found the answer in yoga.
Carla Jean came to yoga because of those physical issues, but fell in love with it because of its mental and emotional effects. After falling head over feet for yoga, she quickly became a yogavangelist, telling everyone who would listen about the practice's powerful benefits. This slim collection of essays recounts her journey from yoga newbie to certified yoga instructor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carla Jean Whitley
• Release date: Nov 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310101021

Carla Jean Whitley

Carla Jean Whitley has practiced yoga regularly since 2011 and in 2014 graduated from Sacred Glow Yoga’s 200-hour teacher training program. She is registered with Yoga Alliance, studies regularly with Sacred Glow’s Melissa Scott and has completed master classes with Sadie Nardini and Bryan Kest. She is also a writer, editor and teacher based in Birmingham, Alabama, where she is managing editor of Birmingham magazine. Carla Jean's first book, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: How the Swampers Changed American Music, was published by The History Press in 2014 and is available wherever books are sold. Her favorite yoga pose is bakasana, and her favorite cats are orange. Connect with her at carlajeanwhitley.com.

Book preview

Balancing Act

Yoga Essays

Copyright 2014 Carla Jean Whitley

Published by Carla Jean Whitley at Smashwords

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Simple as it Should Be

I'm Biting My Lip as Confidence is Speaking to Me

Seeking Peace in Downward Facing Dog

Lessons from 30

I Don't Know Why I Feel So Tongue Tied

Everybody Come and Play

Just Breathe

I Am Strong, I Am Invincible

Be Kind. Seek Peace.

Remembering What Matters Most

Living without Margins

Resetting my Perspective

Struggling with Perfectionism

The Yoga of Being There

The Freedom of Discipline

All Work and No Play …

We All Have Something to Offer

I Hope We Can All Live More Fearlessly

Experience is the Best Teacher

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.

About the Author

Connect with Carla Jean Whitley

Acknowledgements

I'm indebted to the many teachers who surround me, especially Melissa Scott, my friend and teacher; Stephen Fletcher, who has cultivated a studio environment that feels like home; and Annie Damsky, who offers such encouragement and is a role model for chasing dreams.

I'm also grateful for the amazing group of teachers with whom I studied at Sacred Glow Yoga: Alex Gogol, Autumn Stockwell, Beth Ryan, Caitlin Tyler, Caitlin Wittkop, Carol Standifer, Daniel Walker, Dawn Cox, Dovrat Duvdevani, Jennifer Dunbar, Jenny Bunch, Julie Parker, Kristen Bomer, Mackenzey Scott, Martee Hewitt, Nan Unkenholz, Naomi Morson, Natalie Callahan, Theresa Rumore and Whitney Fletcher.

Susan Swagler, Eleanor Swagler, Christina Tutor, Will Tutor, Put Ketcham, Jessilyn Justice and Melany Justice: Thank you for being my first students, and trusting me enough to show up on your mats.

And, of course, I am forever thankful for the people who are always in my court, cheering me on no matter what the obstacle. You know who you are, and I hope you know I'm better for having you all in my life.

Prologue

When I turned 30 years old, I knew I had to add some physical activity to my life to ensure longevity. I've always been naturally slim, but I worried that if I didn't