Anyone who knows me, and perhaps even those of you who have read my blog for any length of time, will undoubtedly be amused (shocked?!) to hear that at age 57 I took my very first yoga class today. (When I told Damian he responded: What's the punchline?)
Although I suspected the more spiritual aspect of it wasn't for me -- and to be honest, I almost walked out when the instructor immediately told us to "feel the energy" around us -- I've long been curious about the physical benefits, because even as a youth I could give Celine Dion a run for her money in the flexibility department. Add to that 35 years at a desk job and here I am.
The venue was inviting and right near my apartment. (I have no interest in doing yoga alone/via livestream at home, so this was important.) Although I certainly didn't want to be singled out, I was a bit thrown that the teacher didn't seem to take much interest in the fact that I was literally an absolute beginner -- I went in not even knowing what a downward dog was -- which might have helped her understand why I was looking up (or at my neighbors) quite a bit. Her verbal explanations of how to contort my body weren't enough for me -- who can't even comb his hair in a mirror without getting confused -- to figure it out without seeing them demonstrated, which I couldn't do with my face down or looking in a direction away from people. (Just an observation; I’m sure it gets easier with experience.)
Will I go back? I think so. It was a Level I/Gentle class, so I am curious to see how I feel in the next 48 hours. The session didn't strike me as particularly challenging at the time, which I think is the idea, so if my body is sore this weekend I will know it's the right fit for me -- aka low effort with a payoff.
UPDATE; Saturday morning and I am already feeling it!
8 comments:
There are yoga videos on YouTube for beginners.
just do ashtanga. it's the same thing every time, very meditative, and it removes the ability of the instructor to do anything but lead the class. it's also a killer workout
Thanks. Getting out and participating in a class was important to me since almost every other aspect of my life is online!
Thanks. I’ve only been once so I don’t know if it changes a lot.
The meditative aspect is actually something I’m less interested in.
Apparently this center specializes in Anusara yoga, if anyone is familiar with that.
I have taken several yoga classes in the past. I bought one of those package deals with CORE Yoga. By the way, there are 12 studios in NY. The classes I took were on the hot side. I mainly did them to maintain flexibility. The beginners class was all I needed. There are different types of yoga and I believe I was in the Iyengar yoga class. I have nothing to prove. I do cardio 3x a week and weights 3x a week. So I wanted to do something to stretch me out. I enjoyed it. I haven't been to a class in years. I would go on Sundays, my off day from my weekly workouts, but I do not want to get up at the crack of dawn to attend classes at my gym. I do about 25 minutes of stretching 3x a week to keep me upright and limber. I hope you will go again. Let's say a half dozen times. I know you will feel and move better. You will find yourself a little more erect when you walk. Have a great evening and Sunday.
Good for you. At 70, I wish I had taken up yoga many years ago. Just let the stuff you don't want to hear go in one ear and out the other. Hope you keep it up either there or another place.
I have been doing yoga for about 30 years (not counting when I explored it in my late 20's before it became popular and I could really do a head stand!). I still can't tell one form of yoga from another. And it's not really important as long as you enjoy the version you are doing. (Altho, stay away from hot yoga which is totally unnecessary and, for some people, dangerous.) Once I moved to Albuquerque 15 years ago, I went to the YMCA class for beginners and one for advanced. In my day, I have jogged, lifted weights and done walking exercises. But yoga has been the best for me. At 81, it keeps me fairly fit and moving and helps with my "chronic" back issues. Stretching my ham strings has been a life saver. There are many different kinds of instructors. If your instructor isn't demonstrating asanas (positions) in a beginner class, you might want to look for another class where asanas are demonstrated. But definitely stick with yoga for a while. It will do wonders for you, your health, and your mental health.
Manflow yoga is stimulating for more than one reason
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