Photo: lululemon athletica

I simply can’t be faithful!

Yep, I admit it.

I’m slutting around.

I’ve got more yoga scan tags on my key chain than a high-class call girl has baubles in her jewelry box. With so many yoga studios, all offering free weeks, discounted trials of five to 14  unlimited, glorious days, how can I resist tasting them all?

I love walking into a new space, feeling the vibe, listening to a brand new teacher’s voice, absorbing fresh attitudes, and learning different poses, or new takes on known ones. I drop in to studios when I’m traveling. I try out the flavor of the month.

In a self-indulgent display of decadent hedonism, I treat my body to new experiences, smiling cagily and not giving my promise to anyone. When the  honeymoon is over and the time comes to make the commitment, I just drift to the next enticing offer.

It’s like falling in love every time.

I love sampling the teachers and soaking up their styles. Some of them like an Om to start class, some prefer three. Some don’t do any. Some classes have had music—once at Om time it was live sitar music!

Photo: lululemon athletica

I’ve had teachers who start off with a quote from something they’ve been reading, who end with a chant, or who barely talk at all other than alignment cues.

I’ve had crowded classes full of sweaty bodies, hot rooms, cool rooms, big rooms and small.

I’ve had privates when I was the only one who came to class.

I’ve enjoyed a heady variety of classes, studiosand teachers. I practically salivate with excitement, anticipating the atmosphere of a new place.

What will the dressing room look like? Will the studio have wood floors or carpet? Flowing or holding? Will it be old familiar asanas, or will I learn something totally new?

And yet, sometimes I crave a home, a place where I know the class schedule by heart, where the teacher knows my name without referring to a post-it stuck on her water bottle.

After the novelty wears off, I know I will want to settle down.

The benefit of trying out lots of studios is that you eventually find one that works for you.

You essentially fall in love for keeps.

I know that eventually I will make a commitment. That is, after a weekend of even more debauchery at Wanderlust, where I’ll be rubbing shoulders, if nothing else, with some of the yoga elite and hanging out on the fringe, a bit like my old NYC punk rock groupie days, no doubt. But with fewer safety pins.

When I return, I’ve decided to settle down and pick my one and only. I might still stray to the occasional inexpensive drop in class with someone else.

I’m sure my studio will understand.

And all those scan tags? They’ll make a damned fine charm bracelet.

Like notches on the bedpost, but much more portable!

 

Alexa Maxwell is a writer, teacher, traveler and student of yoga. She is a huge fan of elephant journal and is honored to be part of the herd. Watch for more ele posts as she attempts to maintain a steady yoga practice while solo traveling through South America! (YIKES!) You can read more at her blog here (www.catnipkiss.wordpress.com) , follow her on Twitter @catnipkiss, or wait for her upcoming travel memoir which is a work in progress.

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Editor: Elysha Anderson

 

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