Today I set my alarm so I wouldn’t oversleep because I wanted to give myself plenty of time to get to the gym. After a delicious strawberry-peach smoothie, I headed to Equinox. Despite avoiding the machines these days, I was sore from two days in a row of Shred, so it was a perfect day to loosen up with cardio. I did a run/walk for 15 minutes and then did the elliptical for 15. And then it was time for…yoga!
I was actually looking forward to this a lot. High expectations I guess! I had never been in the yoga studio at Equinox before, but it was beautiful, and really big. It was all dark wood and mirrors. The one at Crunch was pretty small, so this was a nice change. The instructor came around and introduced himself to all the newbies and asked if we had any injuries, which I appreciated–I’ve never had anyone ask that in a yoga class before, but given that I have an injury in an area that we’d likely be working on, I was glad he knew.
Most yoga classes I’ve taken are done in half-darkness and are very spiritual and I feel like I’m surrounded by hippies. This class (Hatha) was very utilitarian. The lights were brighter than I expected and there was no music. Instead he just talked us through the exercises in an extremely non-hippie way. There was still focus on breathing and relaxation, but it was more…functional than I expected.
In terms of the class, I liked it. It was challenging, but not too much, and everyone was encouraged to work at their own pace. There were no headstands or anything. It felt good to stretch, especially my hips, but it wasn’t all stretching–it takes strength to support the moves as well. I definitely have a lot of room to improve when it comes to flexibility, so that was a little frustrating, but that’s a problem with me, not the class.
Since I made the goal to do four classes, I am still going to stick with that. (And I still owe myself a fresh-pressed juice for going today!) I might try a different instructor or class, just to experience something different and see which is the best fit for me.
I’m not sure what you’re supposed to feel after a yoga class. Relaxed? Closer to God? I just felt normal, but I am relaxed person in general. I am thinking about checking on the book “Yoga Chick” when I head to the library later, so I can get a better handle on what my goals should be. Right now my goals are “be more flexible” and “be hotter.” I think that’s legit, but we’ll see what the experts have to say!
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
As an off/on yoga practitioner for the last 10 years or so I can give a little insight. Over time you will, physically, become more flexible and toned. Your core, if doing it properly, will strengthen.
Mentally, you will find it easier to ‘stay in the moment’ in life as that is what is required in a yoga pose – focusing on what you are trying to accomplish. I rarely am aware of the other students while I practice.
As for the spiritual aspect – true yogis do have a spiritual connection to yoga mostly stemming and growing from the ‘staying in the moment’ practice. However, that has not been the focus of the growing yoga movement in the Western Hemisphere – it’s mostly about health and wellness. Regardless, an old friend of mine who is a gifted yoga instructor once told me that it doesn’t matter how you came to yoga practice you will, eventually, all end up in the same, great place.
I hope that helps. I need to go sign up for a yoga class now. My muscles are soooo tight!
Thanks for the comment and the ideas on yoga. I feel like it might be one of those things that suddenly, its benefits sneak up on you when you least expect it? That’s why I am committed to sticking with it even if I don’t “feel it” right away!
I would say yes, the benefits will sneak up on you
That being said, I can truly say that my body has been much, much stiffer since not doing yoga regularly over the last 2 years. Getting out of bed now makes me feel old!
I would also say that it is a very good idea to find a yoga instructor and/or studio that you like. One of my first experiences was with a man here in Seattle who taught classes in his unheated garage. He was a hardcore yogi who chastised me for keeping my socks on. He wouldn’t listen to me when I told him my feet would cramp if they were cold. Which they did. I never went back to him again.
Since then I’ve found good teachers, great teachers, mediocre teachers. As with anything, great teachers make the difference.