yogi of the month

mary davis

why did you start practicing yoga?
i started at yoga source when i was pregnant. there is nothing better than yoga to create balance in a pregnant body. i had done a little bit of yoga before that, but the mom's class
really got me going. i continue now because i realized the spiritual benefits after I started going regularly.

what do you enjoy most about the practice of yoga?
it's "me" time. not to sound selfish, but it's the one part of my day when I can truly focus on what's going on with me. it's important to take that time for oneself, no matter how you do it. i choose yoga because it involves all facets of our being - mental, physical, and spiritual.

how has the practice of yoga benefited your life?
i am calmer in the face of difficult situations. i have a way to center myself now, even in not so difficult situations. i am stronger both in body and spirit and that makes me feel good about myself. then i can be a source of strength to others. i also love the idea of "bowing the head to the wisdom of the heart," which is something i needed to learn.

who or what inspires your practice at yoga source?
a long-time friend, gail heaton, is the one who recommended prenatal yoga to me. gail is now a teacher at yoga source and i enjoy chatting with her about classes and our individual practices.

what activities do you enjoy?
i love music. i sing in a church choir and play piano and organ. i like to garden, hike, bike, watch birds, paddle a sea kayak, and play with my son.

tell us a little more about yourself:
i grew up on a farm on virginia's eastern shore (the peninsula that forms the chesapeake bay). my sisters and i still own the farm and we go back there often to soak in the healing powers of the salt air. i am married and have one son. i have lived in richmond since attending college at ur, except for a year & half that i spent teaching math in american schools in nice, france and aberdeen, scotland. i love to travel, too, as i enjoy learning about other cultures.