Annie Law - From Ego to Eco

One of the first times I ever took a yoga class, I was also running a CrossFit gym. 

Actually. Reverse that. That gym was running me.

After dedicating myself to something that had originally brought me so much joy, I eventually reached a tipping point and had to end my CrossFit career.

After that, I began working out at my local rec center with far less gusto than I once had, but I still continued to go every day. I also began taking a few yoga classes here and there. Not to connect to myself... but to burn a few extra calories.

I wouldn’t consider CrossFit to be the most humble community in the world. And I’ll be the first to admit that I definitely left that gym with a big ol’ ego. I was very focused on the external and failed to realize the need to take time to connect to what was within me.

It’s funny to think about now, because much like when I did CrossFit, I would walk into yoga class with that same ego - ready to conquer every pose with precision, ready to prove to everyone in class that “I could do it," and ready to get a hot, sweaty yoga workout in to maintain my body’s appearance... not to create a connection to myself or the world around me.

I didn’t understand that, while yes, yoga is technically considered a “workout,” it is so much more than that.

"When yoga is reduced to a physical workout - something to build strength, flexibility, or burn calories - its deeper purpose is lost." - Sadhguru

It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I did completely burn out. At that point, I had no choice but to rely on all things yoga to get me through a very dark period of my life. I had been so broken down that even downward dog felt too heavy to hold. So instead of going to yoga class, I would sit in nature and connect to what was present.

During this time, I began to find healing and solace in the medicine that nature provided just by sitting amongst the plants and trees.

This became my yoga practice.

Slowly, I began emerging back into life. I was finding so much peace, healing, and clarity by taking these moments of stillness for myself. Eventually, I made my way back to yoga class, but now, it was different. I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I was in my body. I was feeling what needed to be felt and allowing that to come to the surface.

Eventually, I decided to take Yoga Teacher Training to better understand how to use these practices to help heal myself.

My yoga mat at the time was super cute, sticky, and made with all the things that completely went against the "union" that yoga is meant to create. At this point, I had already crafted my own personal meditation mat. The first Original Moment Mat, which became my dedicated space to connect to the present moment, nature, and myself.

With this newfound love for nature, I also wanted to find a yoga mat that would keep me as grounded as possible. I was already looking to produce my meditation mat, so I began researching and learning about different types of natural-based yoga mats.

That led me to the eco-friendly Cork Yoga Mat and The Alignment Mat.

Because these mats are made from two of the Earth’s most sustainable and renewable trees - the cork and rubber trees, you automatically feel more grounded during your yoga practice. Plus, they smell amazing.

Fair warning though... our mats will require you to engage with yourself.

Luckily, that’s the whole point. We are meant to meet ourselves. When we engage with ourselves, when we engage our muscles, when we move our bodies with intention, when we sit with nature in stillness - we begin to access and engage with what’s within.

This is where the magic begins to unfold and your own story is revealed.

I have found incredible value in taking a moment to engage with myself. But when that moment is done within or upon nature, I feel the most at peace.

This doesn’t mean that now all I do is yoga and meditate all day long. I wish! I’m lifting weights again, going to yoga class occasionally, but mostly practicing on my own at home, and taking moments of stillness in nature as much as I can. I have a lot more space for less and a lot less demand for perfection. I’m in no way a yogi, but I do love and appreciate how yoga, in all its forms has helped me to grow. 

I’m so grateful for my journey. For being a witness to the benefits and importance of taking a moment for myself. For gaining an understanding of the wisdom and energy that lies within nature. And for being able to create something I hope others will benefit from. Simply by taking a moment.