YOGI OF THE MONTH

December 2022 - Cindy Miller

What first brought you to yoga and how long have you been practicing?

I’ve been practicing regularly for nine years. A new studio had opened up near our home in Stafford.  It was totally the right place at the right time! I loved the idea of finding an exercise routine that incorporated the mind-body connection. The first time I heard an instructor say “honor your body” I knew yoga was for me!

What are your intentions for your yoga practice? 

I usually start each practice with a specific intention on my heart—be it a person, situation, gratitude or concern. From there, I work toward balance, strength and peace.

What is your favorite pose and why? 

Pigeon has always been my favorite, hands down. I’m drawn toward hip openers to begin with, but I mostly love the quiet release that gravity allows in pigeon. 

What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?

Reedville Slow Flow. When we were looking to move down to Reedville three years ago, one of my biggest concerns was finding a yoga studio where I could continue my practice. I found InsideOut Yoga online and after one class with Susan, I was hooked. The only issue was the distance to White Stone. Fortunately, this year she has added 6-week Slow Flow sessions on Monday evenings at Bethany United Methodist Church on Main St.  

How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?

The short answer to that question is that yoga makes me more aware of what’s going on in my body. The long answer—-I’m convinced that very awareness helped save my life back in 2016. I have metastatic breast cancer, first diagnosed in 2000. I had been declared “cured,” but 16 years later I kept noticing an unusual pain in my chest in yoga classes when I transitioned from high plank down to chaturanga. It wasn’t awful, just different and persistent. I was uncomfortable enough to follow up with my primary care doctor who discovered a metastatic lesion on my sternum. Without a regular yoga practice, I don’t think we would have found it so soon. Thank goodness we were able to intervene quickly with chemo and radiation before the cancer had spread into any other organs. This January, I will celebrate six years of remission.  

What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?

Honor your body…. Be patient….change takes time. And most of all, don’t compare your practice to others. Comparison is truly the thief of joy, and yoga should be your happy place.

What is your occupation?

Before marrying a Marine and all of the adventure that entails, I taught high school English in our hometown of Ashland, KY.  After six duty stations we settled down in Stafford where I was a realtor for 15 years.

What activities do you enjoy?

I love anything that involves a good story, especially books, movies and plays. Also, we’re currently in the process of remodeling our mid-century rambler in Reedville.

What is your favorite thing about living in the Northern Neck?

I am so thankful for the peaceful beauty!

Is there anything you want to add? 

I’ve been blessed to experience many wonderful yoga instructors through the years, and Susan is at the top of that list. Her instruction is so precise and intuitive that I am able to practice most of her class with my eyes closed. What a gift!