YOGIS OF THE MONTH

November 2016 - Vickie and Norm Grimm

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

Vickie: I began dabbling in yoga about five years ago while searching for a disciplined approach to stretching. I was already weight-training and practicing Pilates but was looking for something more. Serious yoga practice began for me after discovering InsideOut Yoga this past February.

Norm: Vickie brought me to yoga about seven months ago. She explained how it would help improve my balance and flexibility.

What is/are your intention(s) for your yoga practice?

Norm: To remain as youthful as I can for as long as I can.

Vickie: Twofold...  First, to increase flexibility, stability, and core strength. Second, to reconnect with the still small voice inside of me that drifted away years ago due to a high-stress career.

What is your favorite pose and why?

Vickie: Without hesitation, pigeon pose is my favorite. I'm able to deeply sink into the stretch and get a wonderful sense of relaxation that’s harder for me to find in other poses.

Norm: Corpse Pose!!! I use this time to reflect on the current class, things that transpired since the last class, and how I am going to interact with the world until the next class.

What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?

Vickie: Currently Slow Flow is my favorite class.  It pushes me to explore new positions and discover my capabilities. I still need to sort out transitions between poses and Slow Flow moves at a pace where I can do that.

Norm: I've attended Basics and Slow Flow. From my perspective, I see them as interchangeable (since I'm still learning). Slow Flow allows me to enjoy the movement which connects the basics.

How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?

Norm: I can put on my socks without sitting down.

Vickie: I'm learning how to slow down, pace myself, and regroup my thoughts through deliberate breathing and focusing inward on who I am and where I want my future to take me.

What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?

Vickie: Approach yoga thoughtfully. Don't compete or compare yourself with others in the class. Focus on your own personal efforts and everything else becomes peripheral.

Norm: If you are going to use yoga as a competition ... compete ONLY with yourself.

What is your occupation?

Norm: RETIRED

Vickie: I'm retired now but in my previous life I had a fun, fast-paced career in computers at a large data center.

What activities do you enjoy?

Vickie: My favorites are boating/kayaking, hiking/biking, camping, and antiquing at auctions/estate sales.

Norm: Boating, kayaking, camping, hiking, crabbing, fishing (attempt to), shooting, remodeling our home.

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

Norm: Its sense of community.

Vickie: I was born and raised outside of Gettysburg, PA. I grew up with a strong feeling of security and community. I find that same sense of closeness and acceptance here.

Is there anything you want to add?

Norm: Breathing ... breathing is nice. I used to be a heavy smoker. I started when I was 12 years old. My family helped me quit just before I reached 50. If there's any knowledge that I can pass on to smokers; it is: QUIT while you can still recover.

Vickie: I want to thank Susan for taking me on a new journey of physical strength and self-awareness. She's an amazing teacher. I look forward growing in my yoga practice with her.