Karen Watson Reeves enjoys special yoga time with her grandchildren during a recent trip to Disney World. For this photo, each child struck their favorite pose, while the youngest assisted Reeves with warrior pose.
By Karen Watson Reeves
December . . . and thoughts turn to giving and receiving gifts. In my opinion, the best gifts are not those that come wrapped in shiny paper with sparkly ribbons. The photo this month represents some of the best gifts I have ever received – my grandchildren, products of my amazing sons and daughters-in-law.
I marvel every day over how beautiful and important these nine people are to me. Thoughts of them can bring me instant joy and gratitude, even when I am not physically in their presence (which is not nearly often enough!)
We were blessed to spend several days together recently at Disney World and took time for a yoga photo. I’ve had fun practicing yoga with these five little gifts at different stages throughout their lives, and occasionally with their parents too. They each struck their favorite pose, with baby girl assisting me in my warrior.
Yoga is another of those non-sparkly wrapped gifts that came to me at a time I needed it and did not even know what it was that I needed. After a “no more impact exercise/arthritis diagnosis” when I was in my mid-40s, I felt lost. A yoga teacher appeared shortly after, and the rest is history.
As a student of yoga for several years before entering teacher training, yoga gave me physical exercise, which I expected. A surprise benefit of yoga was the calming of my anxious mind. The best part of that gift was learning to do that anytime and anywhere, even when not on my mat with an instructor leading me.
Teacher training was another gift that came my way. As teaching yoga became my “job,” I realized once again that in giving, I am receiving far more. Watching students gain the physical benefits, as well as the confidence, perseverance, relaxation, and other more esoteric benefits of yoga is a gift unlike any other.
As you think about gifting those on your list, consider the gift of your presence. Time shared with those you love may be fleeting, but the memories and the benefits are eternal. And as the saying goes “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. Owner of The Yoga Place, at 301 Whittington Avenue, she became a registered yoga/children’s yoga teacher in 2011. She is on the Hot Springs YMCA teaching staff and is an adjunct instructor at National Park College. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle. For more information about her studio and her schedule of classes, visit www.theyogaplacehs.com.
