While doing the work with my doctors, in therapy, and on my mat I became fascinated with the science of yoga. Somatics, neuroscience, brain retraining, and so much more. The brain is wild and capable of so much more than we are ever taught. I discovered John Sarno books, resources like Heal Your Nervous System by Linneah Passler, and The Body Teaches the Soul by Justin Earley, among many other amazing reads. Learning the science behind mindbody work seemed to help my body heal even faster with more lasting relief. Because of this, my teaching leans a little more toward the science and somatic language (which all yoga is somatic!) but I love to explain what’s happening in the brain and body as we move through different practices!

On of my most recent favorite memories from my mat focuses on this same season of healing. I was attending a class with an awesome Toula teacher and we were moving from mountain to chair pose. We would inhale up and almost aggressively exhale and fly the arms back. By the third or fourth repetition I was balling. When you make a habit of being in a space with people telling you simple things like, ‘this is your hour, your space,’ or, ‘be here now,’ and, ‘you’re allowed to let that go,’ at some point it finally lands. That little neuropathway cements and ‘let it go,’ finally becomes a real option. It’s maybe not the prettiest memory but it really was a pivotal moment where my brain finally accepted a vital tool in healing – we don’t have to know every word of the story to be able to let it go.

When asked how yoga has influenced me outside of the studio, I say ‘Curiosity over control’. Not that long ago my life could have been defined by control. Controlling outcomes, controlling others’ perspectives of me, controlling myself, controlling my circle, my space, the list goes on.

The more I replace control with curiosity the more I heal, the more opportunities come without effort, and the more connection feels like comfort.

I tell people constantly, start with Sarno and fall down the rabbit hole, you won’t regret it! Brain retraining and the neuroscience side of yoga is wild. The amount of change one can create with just their own mind is almost too much to comprehend. I could ramble for days.

I keep coming back to yoga because if I can learn as much as I have and heal as much as I have in just a few years, there’s really no going back for me. The opportunities are endless and I can’t believe I get to move, learn, and play everyday – and call it a job!

Come and get curious! What’s the best that could happen?

Payton’s Weekly Classes:

Thursdays

4:15pm – 5:15pm Stretch and Restore

Saturdays

9:30am – 10:30am Kids Yoga and Mindfulness

11:00am – 12:00pm Kids Yoga and Mindfulness