CSY Community: Introducing Linda Comire

How did you discover yoga and how long have you been practicing?

I was introduced to yoga quite by accident. I had been participating in a Pilates class for a few years, (about 14 years ago), when the owner of the studio asked if anyone would like to try out a yoga class. She was bringing in a few teachers with various backgrounds (some from North America, some from Europe) to do some introductory sessions with members of the studio.

I was intrigued, so decided to give it a try. Although they didn't explain the philosophy of yoga, I found the moves, and the concentration involved very interesting and pleasant.

Also, many years back, I participated in a medical experiment called "Autogenic Therapy", something that I liked.

When trying out Shivasana, I realized that it was essentially the same thing, and so came to it quite easily.

I have been a fan of yoga ever since. I love how it respects the body, and how the purpose is to do the movements with integrity, rather than trying to outdo your previous tries or those of your classmates.

I never liked competition, so I think that yoga suits my personality perfectly. I so enjoy just immersing myself in the experience of going inwards, and feeling what my body is telling me.

It has been incredible too how I have re-connected with all the areas of my body. There were so many parts that I couldn't control before, and now my mind can drop into them and try to direct them. I have physical problems that even yoga will never be able to correct completely, but don't we all? If yoga can help me cope, and perhaps improve them, then that's a gift.

How does yoga make you feel?

Yoga is the only form of exercise that I come to crave. If I don't get to practice for a few days, I miss it. I just love "closing out" the world and concentrating on what's happening right in the moment. Of course, some days the moves come so easily, while on some others they don't.

But,.... so what? You know that the next time, it will be different again. Each time is an experiment, a play time. You may have done that move hundreds of times before, but each time is different.   Each time, you learn something new, so I never find the practice boring or repetitive.

Finally, I love how a practice "loosens" you, something that is more and more important as you age.

What is your favourite yoga asana/pose and why?

This is a tough one to answer. Various days bring various needs. Sometimes you need the "refreshment" poses (Legs up the Wall, for example), sometimes the energizing of a Sun Salutation, sometimes the good stretch of Downward Dog, but I have to admit that I like the various forward bends and also the twists. I guess it's that "loosening" that I mentioned earlier.

Why do you practice at Creating Space Yoga Studio?

Again, it was merely good luck that I found Creating Space shortly after it opened.

I followed a favourite teacher of mine to it. I was taking classes with her at another studio when she informed us that she would be starting to practice herself at a studio that was just opening. I came to check it out with a friend, and we were impressed with how nice....(new and clean!) it was. We started to take a class there, and I have been with Creating Space ever since. I appreciate the variety of classes and the flexibility that CSY offers.

As I am unable to drive, getting there in bad weather is difficult for me, so the fact that I can use a "drop-in"  card helps.

I also appreciate the fact that CSY has all kinds of equipment on-site so that the only thing I usually bring along is my mat. Robyn and all the other teachers are kind and caring, and the groups of students are all nice too, so what more could you ask for?

I'd like to offer my congratulations to CSY on reaching its 5th anniversary. They have done a good job of making it a community staple!