I decided to try my hand (actually my whole body) at Yoga. A good friend of mine
suggested that it was a great way to work through life stresses and exercise
the muscles. I did a little Googling and discovered that Yoga is often
recommended for women over 35, for various reasons. I signed up online for a
one week trial at the local Pink Lotus Yoga Center. Being the overly ambitious, jump right in,
type A that I tend to be, I chose a different class every day for the following
seven days. Yup. You read that right…SEVEN days: Friday to Friday. They offer a
large variety of classes and I wanted to get the most out of my one week trial
(and the money I paid for that trial). I dressed in what I thought was
appropriate Yoga attire & headed out for my first class. I walked in
fifteen minutes early and the experience began. First of all, let me say that
the class could not be more appropriately decorated or located. It’s in the Old
Mill building, complete with rugged rock walls and gypsy-like décor. I love it.
I
signed in and watched all of the seasoned, experienced yogis and followed along
like a hesitantly excited puppy. I grabbed my mat roll, two blocks, a blanket
and a bolster. I found a comfy spot near the middle, yet close to a window. I
sat in what appeared to be the standard Yoga-style sitting. Then, suddenly, I
noticed everyone else was barefoot. Ok. I admit, I should’ve known that yoga
was a barefoot-princess type sport. I got a little freaked. How many people had
walked on these rock floors? How often had they been washed (or NOT washed). I
swallowed my anxiety and slowly removed my socks and shoes (gulp). Oops, I digress…
The
class began and it took all of 10 minutes for me to be all in. I followed
directions, copied poses, opened my heart and my mind and found the poses to be
surprisingly comfortable to perform. I can do this, I thought! I can’t wait for tomorrow’s class. The 75-minute class went by in a flash. As a
side note, at the close of the session, the instructor says a little mantra
about going forward and doing good things, which I found very inspiring. I attended the next two classes and was
equally enthralled with hem.
Three
classes down and it’s Monday. Monday’s class is “Gentle Yin.” I was feeling a bit under the weather from
all the pollen that keeps trying to bully my sinuses and considered cancelling.
“Oh,” I thought, “it’s the Gentle class, though. It’ll be relaxing.” Beginning
to feel much like one of the regular yogis, I found my usual spot, took on the
starting position, and got ready. Oh wow, was I in for a treat (insert snarky
grin and a little eye-rolling here).
I
vaguely remember the instructor giving this little speech about how this Yin
Yoga was a good way to “let go” of the negative things that plague us and that
it can be difficult for some people. How was I supposed to know she was talking
to me??? The class consists of six spine
poses held in “relaxation” positions for seven minutes each with a short stretching
session between. The first pose lasted forever. I was pretty darn sure it was
way longer than seven minutes. I readjusted. I fixed my bolster pillow. I put a
block under my hip. I tightened my pony tail. I scratched my ear. I resituated
myself (a few times). Someone across the room was breathing in an almost-snore
rhythm. Someone else made a whistle sound each time she exhaled. The couple next to me had on matching
bracelets. I couldn’t concentrate, for God’s sake! There was nothing to
concentrate on. By pose three, my inability to relax was quite obvious. The
instructor came over (I heard her coming), laid beside me and we had a short
whisper-voice conference. “It’s really hard for some,” she said with empathy. “Your
body is reluctant to let go,” she explained. She tapped my back and my hips and
made some suggestions. “Just breathe in and relax here,” she suggested. I
thought, “I AM relaxing!! My body just won’t listen!” I realized in that
instant that I was the ADHD person in the room…there truly is no existing Yin
to my Yang. I struggled through the next three poses and when the class was
finally over, I quickly gathered my Yoga accessories and headed for the door.
The teacher stopped me, she was so kind and looked at me so sweetly. “Those
that struggle the most with this class,” she said, “need it the most.” I’ve been chewing on that all week (but that’s
for another post).
I
am so plagued by thoughts of my inability to sit still and/or to relax. I
Googled again. Evidently, Yin and Yang are supposed to go hand-in-hand as
contrary forces that are interconnected and balance each other. I’m out of
balance. I have to go back. I will go back.
After all, I have to (somehow) find the Yin to my Yang. Stay tuned.
Check
it out:
For
information on The Pink Lotus Yoga Center
For
more Yoga humor:
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