Yoga is not for sissies.
Back in the day, I casually practiced yoga. It was easy then.
The asanas, or poses, were akin to warmup stretches I’d done for years cheerleading. My body was young. My muscles were flexible. Life was good.
That was before I carried a child in my womb for nine months, gave birth to him, then proceeded to sacrifice my body in all manner of ways to raise him into the fine, young first grader he is today.
One can only run on the fumes of a good fitness history for so long. Years of stress, changes and parenting begin to show.
Junk in the trunk. Bowl full of jelly. A little waddle here or there.
So when we arrived in Wichita, our family joined the YMCA. The Ys here are impressive and affordable. We needed to get into shape. It was destiny.
Went to my first yoga class last Friday.
I sweated. I stumbled. I noticed I how badly I need a pedicure.
I struggled to breathe as the instructor lead our class into the 30th chaturanga dandasana of the hour. Good push-ups gone bad.
When yoga instructors give the command to do some New Age visualization, feel the energy bands, look to the inner flame or whatever, I talk to God instead.
At one point last Friday, I feared I was going to meet Him.
The instructor was trying to kill me. A pencil-thin, pretzel-like assassin intent on carrying out yogini’s revenge. Downward, dog.
When the class was over, an older gentleman who had labored alongside me approached the instructor. “Great class,” he said. “I’m glad I got to see it.”
Then the woman behind me spoke up. “There’s a beginner’s class tomorrow morning,” she said. “We go slow and take it nice and easy. You’ll be with a bunch of other people who are learning.”
A remedial class?!
Use it or or lose it. Reap what you sow. Law of the land. Ah, but there is another law at work.
The yin and yang? The swinging pendulum? The circle of life? Hardly.
Grace is at work.
Grace spoke Saturday morning in the company of beginners. “Hold this pose if you want and can. Or not if you don’t. This is the Y. We’re not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do.”
Easy does it. One step at a time.
We drop the ball. Wreck the train. Make a chocolate mess. Waddle here or there.
“Pick it up and try again,” says Grace. “I’ll help you.”
Namaste, Grace. Namaste.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Amazing Grace by Leann Rimes. Sing it, sister.
Namaste is a friendly greeting between people when they meet. Derived from Sanskrit, it literally means “bow me to you” translated as “I bow to you”… In other words, when one says “Namaste” to another it means “I salute or recognize your presence or existence in society and the universe.” wikipedia.org
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I found this in my hunt for something relating to this.
Thank you, Doc!
I saw your pedicure post and then linked to here. I totally agree. I’ve done weights for the last couple of years with a trainer and wandered away from yoga – at the beginning of March I bought a 30 class package. Five classes in – and still able to stand! My toes are pink by the way. :)
Pink, plum, whatever works for you! I’ve seen a few blues and dark violets too.
Good for you with the yoga. I’m still hanging in there, too. You might enjoy the Vikings and Temple Dancers post as an update on my “journey” in class. Here’s a link if you want to check it out: http://everydayepistle.com/2012/03/12/vikings-and-temple-dancers/
Wow! I really love this! :) Thanks so much for stopping by and linking up this to Wordless/Wordful Wednesday. I’m glad that I was able to make it by your blog. :)
Thank you! Will link up again :)
Some parts had me laughing out loud! Enjoyed reading this very much! I feel sorry that I’ve been so busy and haven’t found enough time to spend in the blogging world, catching up on what everyone’s been writing about.
One of my new year resolutions is to practise yoga regularly. I’m having a difficult time as well! :/
I feel the same way, Geetanjali, about catching up with the blogs and practicing yoga. It’s January anxiety. Should even out by February, I hope :)
I love Yogie I mean Yoga. I was a fanatic for years. Now? I can’t even see my feet much less touch em. Must be all that southern cuisine. ;)
Yogi is a bear, isn’t he? With a buddy named Boo-Boo. :)
Aimee
This post made me smile for two reasons:
–after having amazing pretzel-flexiblity in my younger days, I now appreciate beginner or “gentle” yoga classes
— one of the things I loved most about our recent trip to Bali was the word Namaste — everyone bowed and said it to you in greeting — such a beautiful tradition.
Looking forward to learning about Wichita through your posts.
Janis, “gentle” is the way to go. Bali, I imagine, is also the way to go. May have to plan a trip there someday. It must be incredible!
Yes! New posts are back. Loved the old ones but I always enjoy my new Aimee-fix too! Have missed your nuggets of wisdom. So funny and fun, and I assure you that I feel your pain. My thighs are feeling the burn as I type right now! I have missed you over at Rodneysouthernsays as well! Welcome back and God bless!
Thanks for the encouragement, Rodney. There are not enough hours in a day to do all the good things I want to do. One step at a time, my friend!
Thanks for your post, really loved it. If you’ve done yoga a while ago your body will remember, it’s like ice skating, roller blading, riding a bicycle… promise! Oh and the bit about the pedicure is so true, yoga teachers are obsessed with it because most of their students are really (!) close to their feet in all these forward bends… :)
SA, I completely agree. My body does remember and there’s a craving for more. I was telling another friend how some of the poses that were difficult when I first started all those years ago are now some of the most comforting for me.
PS: Thanks for confirming my newest reason to treat myself to a pedicure :)
I think this is one of my favorite posts of yours. I love yoga, and it certainly is more challenging than people think. Good luck as you continue to do it!
Hi, Ariel! It’s good to hear from you!
I really like yoga too and plan to continue it. It’s more of a work out than you’d imagine. Energizing and relaxing at the same time.