ABOUT
A PASSION PROJECT
Hello and Welcome! My name is Alexis and I am the creator of Harvest Yoga. Where to start about me, I grew up here in the Kawartha Lakes, attended LCVI and got a strong work ethic diploma from my parents that run a dairy farm. In high school, I played all different sports and loved the opportunity to compete, at home I had three younger brothers that also gave me ample opportunities to compete. When I left LCVI and moved to Hamilton, Ontario to attend McMaster University, I went looking for more chances to let my competitiveness roam. Funny enough, I found yoga. I signed myself up for an intro offer at one of the studios to attend my very first yoga class. I was immediately taken in by the sound of the class. Breathing together. This was the very first time I had ever synced my breath with someone else's. It was liberating, moving next to someone, breathing with them, breathing with the teacher, I felt apart of a team again. When I finished University I moved to Banff, Alberta. This is where my love for yoga absolutely took off. In this little mountain town, people were balancing on their hands and contorting their bodies into shapes I had never seen. The competitive side of me wanted to be able to do everything they were doing, so I started to attend classes every single day, I learned how to commit to a practice. To be honest, the asana practice, the poses, came easy to me at first, my life was easy at this point, I was well rested, well fed, well slept and completely in love. It wasn't until about a year ago, for the very first time in my adult life, I experienced anxiety. At first, I couldn't name it because it was so new to me, as most of us do, I pushed it way down. Months went by and things started to shift, I didn't let my physical practice go but I let my relationships and confidence go. My teacher always says, we get on our mats everyday because when we need it the practice will be there for us. Within the year I've experienced debilitating anxiety, paralyzing panic attacks and crushing depression. I've been riding an emotional roller coaster. I have also been consistently supported by the yoga practice. Steering away a little bit from the physical asana practice, I've tapped more into staying and breathing. I've gone back to look for the way I felt in my very first class, I crave the feeling of community. Every second of the day our body breathes for us, I find that taking control of that innate part of me, I start to feel a sense of center, a sense of ground, and for a time it makes things feel easier, lighter. I share this with you because it's why I practice, it is why I believe that yoga is for everyone. I have faith that if we get on our mats everyday, as my teacher said, we will have the support when we call for it. My hope is that each and every one of you can find something that you can call on, that will bring you through to a sense of ease when things feel impossible. I'm so excited that you are here. Let's build together.
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September 2021