by Maureen Fakinos, Certified Ma Yoga® Instructor
If I had to choose one word to describe my path to becoming a prenatal yoga instructor, it would be acceptance. Acceptance of the many lessons along the way, beginning with learning, understanding, and embodying the Five Sacred Steps.
One of many highlights among my journey started with the first sacred step: space. This step embodies stillness, slowing down, humility, receptivity, and the deep practice of listening. It came at a pivotal time in my life, when so much around me was shifting, and the world was struggling with the impact of COVID-19. I, too, was affected—I contracted COVID and was hospitalized. As someone who had always been healthy and active, the experience was a profound shift, changing my life in unexpected ways.
I felt called to prenatal yoga as a mother of four and grandmother of four. The course was not only filled with knowledge, but it also touched my heart. The Ayurvedic teachings and guidance from the Five Sacred Steps provided wisdom that resonated deeply with me, becoming a a new anchor in my life. Through these teachings, I have cultivated a stronger sense of self, compassion, and acceptance.
When I practice yoga now, it feels holistic. The practice invites acceptance of where I am, guided by the Five Sacred Steps. Yoga has become a practice of openness, fostering awareness of the present moment while holding space for future possibilities, both for myself and others.
The Sacred Steps also help ensure my physical safety, allowing me to be mindful of my body, spirit, and mind at any given moment. By accepting where I am, I can honor my limits and nurture my well-being.
It has been a long journey, but one I am deeply grateful for. This path has transformed my life, creating space for a deep inhale, and an even deeper exhale, where I have found both acceptance and the gift of being accepted.
