Page 180 - Demo

180 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || APRIL / MAY 2015when I run my head is filled with thoughts, I allow myself to totally zone out, and when I practice I allow myself to clear out the thoughts and become present in my body and in the space that I am in that moment.%u201d s an animal and nature lover, who grew up in a beautiful part of Maryland right on the Chesapeake Bay, Crystal feels most at home and at peace connected to all of God%u2019s creation when she is outside, especially practicing yoga by the water or in the early hours of the morning. %u201cI have always been a morning person; there is something magical to me about the morning hours.%u201d She divulges that yoga has overall made her feel even more connected to nature. She says that, %u201cI now feel like it is my service to help protect what God has given to us here on earth. Yoga has helped me to understand oneness and how we are connected to every living thing. From a person to our oceans, a tree, a bird or a bee; we are all connected through God.%u201dIt is this connection that continually drives her commitment to make a difference, saying she desires to bring, %u201cmore peace into the world through connection-people connecting to themselves, people connecting to others and people connecting with nature.%u201d Not only is she achieving this already by her classes and inspiring others to join the yoga lifestyle, but she is also devoted to bringing more awareness to protecting our waters through yoga, with the establishment of her foundation, Yoga to Save the Bay, that kicks off this spring. It will be to help protect the Chesapeake Bay through clean up days in return for a free yoga class outside by the Bay and donation classes that will go to local non-profits that protect the Bay. Crystal%u2019s compassion and positive attitude can teach us all a thing or two about giving back to our communities and being the best person we can be. Fortunately for us, Crystal can be seen here at Fitness MOST as a regular contributor, with a monthly column giving us advice and lessons in life from the perspectives of a yogi. One tidbit of advice she offers for beginners is, %u201cThere are so many different types of yoga; there is a type of yoga for everyone. Find the type of yoga that works best for you and remember that yoga is called practice because it is a constant practice not perfection. Let go of any judgments on yourself and be patient with learning the postures.%u201d