Saturday, was my first day trying Yoga. I think I can confidently say I have found something that easily fits on the top of my list of things that are completely out of my comfort zone. If you have met me, you know I am totally transparent and every emotion I am feeling is displayed across my face. So, to give you a good idea of me at Yoga, think Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride. It was all I could do not to leave before the class even began!
I think Yoga’s tag line should be “The longest hour and a half of your life”. And, they should warn you ahead of time that “rest” really means lie on your back and then do a straight leg sit up. Clearly, it is misleading!
Here is what I liked about Yoga:
- The room was warm.
- You are not suppose to talk in the room. (Loved this as there was no awkward conversation required before class.)
- When the instructor said “This will be our last pose.”
Here is what I did not like about Yoga:
- I brought a mat but I was supposed to bring a towel and a towel is mandatory so I had to rent one. (Yuck)
- The web site told me, as a first timer, to arrive 20 min early. I had already filled in the forms online and paid, so I was feeling like I had wasted 20 min.
- I apparently have no idea the difference between my left and right*.
- I also have trouble identifying how to put my palms up or down.
- The locker room was tiny and very crowded.
- You take off your socks and shoes. (This presents a problem for someone like me who then starts to contemplate how I am going to use the restroom without walking on the bathroom floor without shoes.)
- The room was warm and there were many very sweaty people near me.
- I think someone next to me was wearing only underwear.
- I had a hard time understanding the movements and there was little coaching on the levels.
- There isn’t a clock in the room.
In all seriousness, I am really glad I tried it. After, although dripping with sweat, I felt calm and relaxed. Stretching my muscles felt really good and I felt I was able to focus on things better all day long.
*This was very embarrassing as the instructor kindly said “Kristin, left, left, left” over and over again until I seem to get it right! Add to the embarrassment, after I did finally identify the limb on the proper side, she followed up with “simple and easy”!
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