How does she do it!? We wanted to know!
Missy started her yoga practice about 5 years ago, after the birth of her 7th child. She wanted to try something different and effectively get her body back from carrying all those babies. She started for the physical benefits, but quickly found that the time spent practicing yoga helped her in other ways.
The gift of time, important for a woman with 7 children and tons of ambition.
Missy says that her yoga classes have blessed her with time. Quiet time for herself. Time to meditate on Christian scriptures. Time to send love to other people. And, time for her to slow down and appreciate who she is, and what she is capable of.
The benefits have been both mental and physical. Due to Missy's regular yoga practice, she claims to be physically stronger and leaner than before yoga. "I could never run very far without aching and popping joints", she says, and after several years of having a regular yoga practice, Missy ran her first full 26.2 mile marathon!!
Family Missy's family is a huge support for her and her yoga practice has been a great support through the peace it has allowed her to share as a compassionate person, wife, and mom.
"I like to spend time on my mat thinking of someone who needs my thoughts and prayers, someone who is going through a physical ailment or an emotional event. This way, I can make my yoga time not just about me."
We asked Missy about her favorite posture and style of yoga, although we know this is always changing and hard to pick just one!
"I love trikonosana(pictured below-the triangle pose). It just feels great to be in this posture. This posture has me building strength and finding calm at the same time. I can feel the stretching and strengthening throughout my entire legs and hips. I love how my back, chest, and shoulders feel so open and strong. Its just a great peaceful pose, there's a lot going on throughout your entire body.
I love Prana Flow Vinyasa. I find the flow of the class to be very rhythmical in nature, as well as challenging for my physical body. The flow of that class really speaks to my body and the way it wants to move and flow. I also love Power Yoga classes. That class pushes me physically in a way that satisfies my athletic drive. I love the physical challenges, and quite frankly enjoy the muscular burn i get from holding postures.
I recommend yoga to everyone I talk to. Seriously, i think my family and friends hear about yoga from me all the time. The 2 questions i get most often are: How do you juggle all those children? and How do you stay fit after having so many children and raising them?
My answer to both of those questions is yoga! Yoga gives me the energy to keep up with the demands of my family,and the psychological recharge time needed to raise my children. And, well, yoga keeps me fit too. It has been a great compliment to weightlifting and running.
Yoga has made me a better wife, mom, runner, weightlifter, etc.... I can't say enough positive things about it. I would love to be able to pass what i have received through yoga along to others, and that is why I began the teacher training program."
We asked Missy what she would say to someone who felt compelled to begin yoga!
"I would say, "You will not regret it. You will learn to appreciate where your body is at right now, while at the same time improving your health.
I just love taking classes at Prana. The people (instructors and students) are fantastic, its a wonderful community. There are great opportunities for learning as well, with all the great workshops and trainings that are offered."
Thank you for sharing- Missy, You are a HUGE inspiration to us!
Photos by: Ashley LeTourneu Photography
