My journey to yoga began almost exactly 2 years ago. It was shortly after my son's first birthday and I saw the photos from his party and decided it was finally time to do something about that lingering baby weight. I joined a gym that offered classes after his bedtime and during his nap time on the weekends to ensure that I wouldn't miss a minute, and off I went to try every class offered during those times. That's when I found her, Kate Goodyear, teaching Saturday mornings at 11am. I had tried yoga before, but it had just never clicked with me, yet there I was, enlisting my friend Katie to join me faithfully every Saturday morning.

Something about her class just clicked with me. She talked about yoga, the texts, she taught about the importance of breath, it was challenging, relaxing, a good workout, a good stretch, it was just what I was looking for. She wasn't just a fitness instructor teaching yoga to a bunch of gym rats, she didn't dumb it down, she corrected her student's form and paid attention to each of us, in a huge studio. She was just what I was looking for. So, there I was for the next few months and saw how yoga and some other classes transformed my body and I continued there until I was about  7 months pregnant and could no longer find my balance.

6 weeks after my daughter was born, 7 weeks after my cast had been removed to heal a broken arm, there I was back in that Saturday class. I was laughing alongside my good friend Katie trying to find crow pose again and jealous of her headstands and perfect sun salutations trying to lose the baby weight once again. I made sure I made it to the Monday night class at the gym as well so I could practice along-side Kate and watch her flow in and out as graceful and strong as can be.

Fast forward to October when I tried out a Living Social deal for a yoga studio that Kate also teaches at. I was immediately hooked. What a difference the small studio and personal attention made. It took my practice to the next level. My husband, who must have paid extra attention, got me 3 private sessions with Kate for Christmas and since January when those sessions started, my practice has taken on a whole new level. I love yoga more now than ever and my body, while not at it's thinnest, is by far the strongest I've ever been.

I owe it all to Kate, my teacher, my inspiration and my motivation. Thank you for letting me photograph you, it was truly my pleasure.