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I started taking hot yoga at a "lost" time in my life. My life was great on the surface, devoted husband, wonderful kids, and a high profile job in a medium-sized community. I was excelling in my profession, statewide and nationally, and had even spoken at our national conference to industry peers.

However, as my outward life seemed to be progressing along a charted course for success, I developed a sense of turmoil and restlessness that I couldn't understand or even address. I begin reviewing my list of goals that I had written down years earlier, as I do when things get challenging in my life. Item #25: Learn yoga.

The next day, a friend mentioned a great new yoga studio in town that had HOT yoga. I had no idea what that was, but at this point, I was willing to try anything. I had begun to internalize my stressors in my life and was now a bundled up mess. I agreed to meet my friend at the studio the next day to try this new yoga.

My first practice was inspiring, motivational and physically challenging and relaxing, all at the same time. I loved the process of slowing my life down for 60 minutes to think of nothing but what I want my mind and body to do. The mental part of yoga intrigued me and made me want more.

During the next two weeks of taking yoga every other day, I grew to understand what it meant to be centered, and grounded, and even learned how to be a crow and a frog. My body welcomed the challenge that the asanas created and my mind embraced the experience. At the end of each session, dripping with sweat and too exhausted to move right away, I would realize with dismay that I have to leave that hot room and go back into the world. The only difference is that with each class and each practice, my mind and body were a little more equipped to handle the challenges and stresses that life would throw at me.

I now understand the power of breathing, and I understand what that crazy Lamaze teacher was trying to teach me, but I never could master. I use the breathing to get through stressful situations, painful incidents and even as a way to center my mind during a busy day.

Yoga is a practice that builds you up, creates balance in your life and even gives meaning to the menial parts of our lives that add up to what makes us strong. I would never give up the peace and balance that comes with my practice.

Learn more about this author, A.M. Miller.
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