By Jana Sutherland
I still remember the very first yoga class I attended in my early twenties, when I was living in Germany.
The studio was in Berlin’s vibrant Mitte neighborhood—an inviting, relaxed space with a soft-spoken instructor. I listened closely to her words and mimicked her movements because none of the poses were familiar to me yet.
After class, the teacher asked whether I had ever practiced yoga before. Apparently, I had made a capable impression.
Well, I thought to myself, I must have done something right.
Did I have any idea then just how important yoga would become in my life? Most certainly not.
But on that day, my curiosity had been sparked, along with the desire to step onto the mat again.
And again.
Beyond “Doing It Right”
Over time, I began to experience something that went beyond the postures and “doing it right”—a simple joy in moving my body and a deep sense of calm when I left the studio.
I found this deeply enriching. Every other workout I had tried before usually left me feeling mostly sweaty and exhausted. The flow of the asanas offered something different. I felt more in harmony with myself and nourished from within.
I used to call Savasana my favorite part of practice. I think this was because I was discovering an inner peace that otherwise seemed difficult to reach.
Our twenties are not always the most stable years. We are finding our way, often without much perspective and without knowing what life has in store for us.
In those moments, yoga can be an anchor.
For me, it became a steady routine. I made time for practice whenever possible—after work, before university, and in between everything else that filled my young life in the bustling city.
In such moments, yoga can be an anchor.
Finding Community at Yoga Among Friends
A few years later, I discovered another essential part of yoga.
I was newly married and had moved with my husband to the western suburbs of Chicago. He traveled frequently for work while I adjusted to a new life in the United States. Naturally, I felt lonely at times.
I knew I wanted to continue the practice that had always supported me back home, so I began searching for a yoga studio.
To my surprise, I found a place that actually had the word Friends in its name.
I began taking Saturday morning classes at Yoga Among Friends in Downers Grove. After a while, familiar faces began appearing. I enjoyed the chatter and laughter around me.
Perhaps you have experienced something similar: the joy of finding a place where you can unroll your mat and simply be—where a friendly smile from across the room quietly tells you that you belong.
That is the power of community.
Even as life brought its inevitable ups and downs—saying goodbye to loved ones, navigating my own health challenges, and suddenly losing our family home to a fire—I knew where I could go and how I could support myself, both physically and emotionally.
The joy of finding a place where you
can unroll your mat and simply be—that
is the power of community.
A Practice That Changes With Us
In 2019, I began teacher training with Yoga Among Friends.
After practicing for several years, I wanted to go deeper and explore the spiritual wisdom of yoga more fully. What I learned from my teachers enriched my understanding of human nature, of life itself, and of what it means to live with greater awareness.
Since then, many regular YAF students have seen me either substitute teaching or practicing alongside them in weekly classes.
Those experiences have shown me firsthand just how different our individual needs can be—and how wonderfully adaptable yoga can be.
Yoga is truly a gift of mindfulness that can be adapted to every body.
As I move through the aging process myself, I appreciate this more and more.
Every time I practice, I feel connected to myself. I know that I have moved in a way that feels sustainable. And I have an opportunity to “lose my mind a little,” as Laura Jane, my teacher, likes to put it.
For me, that is one of yoga’s great gifts: quieting some of the mind’s constant activity so that something deeper can be felt.
Yoga Beyond the Mat
I am excited to see what the future holds.
I want to keep moving, learning and embracing the changes that inevitably come with the gift of life.
Yoga means so much more to me now.
My practice does not always look like what I attempted on the mat all those years ago in Berlin.
Sometimes yoga is taking a mindful walk.
Sometimes it is breathing more consciously.
Sometimes it is giving myself permission not to squeeze productivity out of every single minute.
My practice has evolved, yet certain things have remained constant.
Yoga continues to be an invitation to get to know myself better, to feel connected, and to share special moments with others.
How has your own yoga practice changed as your life has changed?
I would love to hear your story. Leave a comment below.
Hope to see you on the mat!
Jana
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