Last week I crossed #100 off my list.
I wasn't sure what to expect, certainly not the dark, candle-lit room, or the range of shapes/sizes of the people around me, or the cheerfulness of the instructor. And although painful and frustrating at times, it was definitely a positive, first experience!
A shout-out to to SIL1 who graciously invited me out to a free yoga class that her church sponsors. The class started off well with each of us on our mats, laying on our backs, palms outstretched and open, clearing our minds from the worries of the day and allowing our bodies to relax from the stresses of the day, focusing on the worship music in the background and the sound of the instructor's voice. After the next hour I was grateful we attended a Level 1/Gentle class--I have no idea what it means to "soften" the shoulders or the hips (I think I have enough "softness" in those areas already!). And "dropping the hip bone into the socket"--how do you even get it out? I can't even feel my hip bones given all my "softness"--does that count?
I was frustrated that I wasn't doing things "right" and that I couldn't see the instructor to mimic her moves (did I mention it was dark?), but eventually I just relaxed and did what I could (and tried to eye the older gentleman on my right to make sure I wasn't totally out of sync!). And there were some things that hurt, and I tried not to grimace too much and to remember to breathe, and to remain relaxed and not forget to breathe and to control the shaking of my muscles while trying to remember to breathe (anyone see a pattern here?!).
But by the end I was extremely relaxed and ready for a long nap (and bedtime!). And though I felt more like Mrs. Butterworth than Gumby, I'm ready to try again, and even picked up a Yoga for Beginners DVD at the library (so the next time I go to class I can feel a bit more confident in what I'm doing).
I'd always thought of yoga as a "new age" type of thing, but in recent years had several friends remark about the stress-relief benefits they'd experienced in going to yoga classes. After attending a class myself, I think, as with so many things, it's the intent and focus with which you do it, rather than the act itself--does that make sense?
(Plus, I'm hoping the additional stretching will succeed in making me taller!)
3 comments:
I really enjoy doing Yoga. The spirituality of it, not so much. But love the stretch and the breathing. I know you made a joke out of it, but I love the breathing.
The breathing isn't just for relaxation, but also I think it's good for congestion. There are many times when I'm congested from either allergies or minor colds and the yoga breathing helps clear it out.
And I love that it's exercise! I mean, how fun that you don't actually have to jump around to get a work-out!
I choose to turn the spirituality aspect of secular yoga into a reflection and meditation on the Lord. I have some great prayer times when my body is relaxed and my mind is quiet. I like to think of it as turning something that the Devil uses into something that glorifies the Lord.
@Jessie--the breathing was funny only because I was surprised they focused on it so much because I was like, of course I'm breathing! And then I'd realize, with face stretched in a grimace, that there were times I wasn't breathing at all!
I really liked that this was Christ-centered yoga class (more about Him than about me)--and I'm with you--how many times (when I'm awake!) is my body relaxed and my mind quiet--not too often!
you did so good at the class! you were a super star. we should go back again! :)
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