Gina Heart Lifestyle

Dear Heather, my yoga teacher,

• By Gina Heart
• February 28, 2014
• No Comments

Dear Heather,

I hope you are doing well! I am finally settled into my new apartment and job in San Francisco. It’s been long overdue that I write you this letter because I’ve been wanting to thank you ever since I came to your first yoga class.

I hope you can bare with me because I have quite a lot to say. There are a few people in this world that have really changed and impacted my life. Some include my high school art teacher, my competition dance coach, my college adviser and now you.

I took yoga maybe once or twice before I came to your class and I never really understood why people loved it so much. To me, it was too slow, slightly boring and didn’t feel like an exertive workout. But classes with you not only changed how I felt about yoga, but it changed how I felt about myself and the world around me.

You taught me to always set an intention. Breathe at times of difficulty. Thank those who have helped me or give love to those who need it. You taught me that I am much stronger than I thought I was, and that taking a moment to myself wasn’t an act to be guilty of. You taught me to shine my heart and always stay tall, especially when I didn’t think I had the strength to. You taught me to relax and embrace myself. You taught me to be thankful of others and myself for doing good things for our soul. I cannot thank you enough for these valuable life lessons.

You may not have known, but when I started your class I had just graduated from UC Berkeley and moved back home to PV. My family had a trip to Antarctica planned, so I had about 6 months to relax or find something to pass the time before I got a real job.  I had been working on my wellness blog called Gina Heart Lifestyle and I took it extremely seriously, working 40 hour weeks to build a brand and business on my own. My family didn’t quite understand why I spent so much time on the computer and I felt trapped in a cave, trying to turn it into a castle. I spent a long time applying for jobs and each response made me question my worth. Compared to most people in the world, I’d have to say I’ve had an extremely privileged and lucky life. But somehow, those few months were the worst moments I can remember and you sparked something in me that turned it all around.

I always felt like I was growing and improving in your class. I loved how you corrected my postures and pushed me to go further and try harder. After every class I felt accomplished and strong but also unafraid to be vulnerable and continue learning. I realized that no one had believed in me during those months as much as you have. Though it may just be yoga, you helped me appreciate something that I had lost touch of: myself.

I spent the days creating content that would please my followers and the nights spending time with my family. In my heart, I wanted to move and become independent and build a brand I would be truly proud of. Somewhere in there, yoga helped me follow my dreams.

Long story short, I got a job, moved to San Francisco, and have been looking for a yoga instructor, hopefully half as good as you. Though it was terrifying to pick up my life and move away from my family, I find that one of the things I miss the most, is your yoga class.

So I just wanted to say thank you.

Thank you for all those lessons that I still actively use through my days. I breathe, I am thankful, I always set an intention, and I believe in myself to be stronger as each day goes by. I know this all sounds cheesy and deep, but I am speaking honestly and from the heart.

Now that all that chessy talk is over, I found an instructor who teaches extremely similar to you! Her name is Stephanie Ring and I asked her where she was trained. She worked with Jay Co in Santa Monica, is that who you worked with to?

Not to mention, your class at Bionic Body is amazing! You are a magnificent instructor and trainer and I hope you continue to inspire others and change lives.

Thanks again for everything Heather. <3

All the best, ~Gina