Student Feature: Bissy Leighton

What brought you to Willow Street?

I had been interested in trying yoga to gain strength, flexibility, and as a form of exercise without impact on my knees and feet. So after moving to Takoma Park in 1998 and hearing about Willow Street, I signed up for my first yoga class.

What keeps you coming?

The teachers. I have been so fortunate to study with teachers who have accepted me where I am and challenged me to grow in my practice. When I first began, Joe's light-hearted nature and sense of humor opened me up to yoga and I felt there was a place for me at Willow Street. I found steadiness in the focus on alignment and moving though the principles and at the same time a joy in the flow and movement. After a long break from yoga due to a difficult twin pregnancy, healing from a c-section and taking care of twin infants, I started taking classes with Natalie. Awareness of my changed body and gaining back strength were nurtured, as well as my spirit. During this time I really began to connect the asanas to the idea of moving through the world with grace and intention.

Now I am in Maria's class and I feel challenged in every way. Each asana provides a chance to explore and move into a new place. Maria advised us to "put on our seat belts" at the beginning of the session, and I feel ready to go!
What do you get out of your practice?

Focus. Somehow, having twin three-year-olds can make focus a challenge for me! My work as an art teacher at Rolling Terrace Elementary is very fulfilling, but it is an all-day exercise in multitasking. I sometimes forget that it is possible to just focus and concentrate. My yoga practice reminds me that it is possible (and necessary) to slow down and be present.

Tell us about a challenging pose that you're growing to love.

Urdhva dhanurasana. (Full Wheel Pose). It might be a little bit of a stretch to say that I am coming to "love" it. Let's just say I am coming to appreciate the struggle. Each time I set up for this pose I still have to work to suppress the thought that since I could hardly do backbends at the age of 10, how on earth am I, at 44, going to do it? However, I find myself slowly opening up a little more and even breathing.

What does "open to grace" mean to you?

Acceptance of where I am at when I come to my mat without judgment. I have let go of much of the struggle with ego that I had in the beginning of my practice. Without judgment and struggle, I am more open to possibility and change.