The Joy of a Mortal Body
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
By Mitali Banerjee Ruths

Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.
~Jason Crandell

I started doing yoga in college. I was naturally flexible, so it felt like an easy form of exercise. I could already touch my toes, balance on one leg, and twist myself into eagle pose. Usually, I wouldn’t even break a sweat. I wasn’t particularly committed or regular in my practice, though. I didn’t even own a mat. Since I went so rarely, it just made sense to rent one at the studio each time.

Fast-forward a few decades. I graduated, started working, got married, and moved to Montreal. My husband Derek and I had three kids: two girls and one boy. My third pregnancy especially took its toll. My hips hurt, my legs cramped, my back ached, and my neck felt stiff. My obstetrician tracked my weight on the same chart she’d used for my previous pregnancy, so I could see month by month how I was gaining weight more quickly this time around. (Keep reading)