Namaste

Originally uploaded by whirlypurly.

Well, it was finally time to get off my bootie (literally), break out the yoga mat, and go to a yoga class! This past Friday I went to a lovely studio near my house that was recommended by a friend back in, oh, January...I know, weak...But hey, better late than never!

I don't know if it was the oppressive heat and lack of A/C for the first 1/3 of the class (what is this, I didn't sign up for Bikram!) or the fact that I hadn't been to a "real" yoga class in a couple of years (maybe both) but I was dying! I was good with most of the poses (Downward Dog, fine, Warrior I and II, sure, Triangle, great), but then I flailed my way through several balancing poses- it wasn't pretty. And to my knowledge, "flailing" isn't really in keeping with the yoga tradition. Let's just say I need to work on my balance...

Luckily, the A/C was turned on after a half an hour, and though I was already pretty drained by then, I fought through the next hour and by the time the class was over, I was really glad I went. I was in pain for the better part of the weekend, but in a good way, and I was still really glad I went. Since the class, I've been continuing to stretch (I even bought a brick to help stretch out my back like we did at the Retreat, remember?) practice my balancing poses, and I feel great!

I was reminded why I like taking classes - I find it beneficial to have an instructor there to talk me through and remind me what I should be concentrating on as I work through the poses. At some point, I would like to be proficient enough to be able to get an equally beneficial experience doing yoga on my own at home, but for now I find classes more challenging and rewarding.

I took my first yoga class 10 years ago. I've tried various styles of Hatha throughout the years, and then started practicing Ashtanga a few years ago, which I really enjoyed. I was ready for a more rigorous style, and I loved my instructor. As with most things, I really think you need to find the right combination in order for you to get the most out of it- the key is to find a good class, a style of yoga that fits you, and a good instructor.

Best of all, I was reminded as to how much I love the way I feel when I do yoga. I would love to keep this up! I think I will pay another visit to my friendly neighborhood yoga studio again this Friday...