Yogi Spotlight – Karen Stanley

This month, we honor Karen Stanley for her dedication to her practice.  Her yoga journey began just a few months ago in January of 2018.

“I have been exercising regularly for the past 37 years but had never tried yoga.  I was looking for a place to exercise and meet people.  I chose Bayou Yoga after reading some of the reviews posted on Yelp. I started out thinking it would be fun to learn yoga and have learned so much more.  The total mind, body and spiritual healing that comes with breathing and movement has made me calmer (my blood pressure is down) and I have learned so much about myself.  I love my new muscles and I can’t believe that I am trying arm balances and headstands! Yoga is so much more than stretching.”

Unless Karen is out of town or has other obligations, you will find her at our 9am classes. “I look forward to laying down my mat at 9am everyday in my favorite spot and knowing ‘I can do this’ and for one hour, I do this for me. What I enjoy the most about my practice and Bayou Yoga are all the different instructors and styles of teaching.  Everyone is so friendly and caring and I feel a sense of community here at BY.  I also enjoy all the workshops available every month.”

It’s nice to hear the word “community” brought up when our students talk about the reasons they enjoying practicing at our studio. We are so thankful for the support our yogis are able to find among each other. Everyone walks through our doors for different reasons, and fortunately, we all end up staying for the same one.

“I was married for 36 years and when my husband passed away in 2013, I was just going through the motions of living.  My daughter helped me pack up and move from Washington state and we drove all the way to Louisiana in my little white car with 2 bulldogs in Sept. of 2014.  After fixing up my little house and yard, I was at a loss as to what I was supposed to be doing.  I have always believed in “bloom where you are planted” and with the help of my family, yoga friends and Bayou Yoga, I feel that I have at least started to bud!”

And that she has. Karen is the newest edition to our BY250 club. 250 classes in the last year!! We are beyond amazed at the strength of this women.

Ms. Karen, you have been such a beautiful addition to our community, and we are so lucky to have you bloom among us.