Monday, April 4, 2011

Yoga - My First Day

I was sitting on the couch last night after my interval training for the Weight Watchers Walk it Off Community Challenge plan and boom - I felt everything I had done that day creep in.  My neck was sore, my abs hurt when I coughed (who even knew they were down in there under all this flab?) and my legs, oh the legs.

I talked hubs into giving me a neck massage, and took a motrin and went to bed. This morning, not so surprisingly, I'm the same sore, and I know tomorrow, it will be even a bit worse. Why you ask? Yoga.  I went to my first class in quite a while - and I struggled.  Who knew just stretching could be so difficult?

I went to Yoga Bliss in Akron, and had a great basic instructor. She was fun, helped guide me, and helped offer modifications so that I didn't overwhelm myself.

Why Yoga?

That's kind of easy.  Yoga is known to have so many benefits:


  • Promotes overall flexibility and strength and increases your energy flow
  • Promoting health and well-being, as well as peace and balance
  • Helps increase metabolism and assists in weight loss 
And, most importantly, for me anyways:
  • Builds mental focus and concentration.
So I figured I'd give it a go.


I walked into the studio and everyone right away was super sweet and nice.  I got my stuff put away, form filled out and got a spot in the back of the room so if I totally failed, at least I wouldn't be center stage for everyone.

The room was a nice size, and the class was a nice balance (about 5-6 of us).  The instructor explained everything, walked around making sure we were doing it right, and offered props and modifications. I really appreciate her attentiveness. I feel like right now if I learn something wrong or a bad habit that could possibly injure me, it's going to happen now that I'm learning, so I want to learn it right the first time.


A few poses I can do and enjoy (in no order - and I think I'm referring to them correctly.. who knows):

  • Bridge
  • Locust
  • Cobra and upward facing dog
  • Cat-Cow
  • Child's Pose (though personally for me, it's not relaxing, it's uncomfortable.. maybe due to my weight and stomach still..)
  • Chair
  • Warrior 1 and 2
  • Tadasana
  • Uttanasana 
  • Eagle - I'm semi on this, I kept losing my balance



Poses I am doing modifications to:


  • Downward Dog  - I do NOT have the strength to hold my body weight on my arms and legs like that.  I did table pose instead pretty much for most of it. If it's a short hold, I can handle it, long holds of it I can't and didn't want to force myself
  • Plank - No one likes a plank, but when you  have core strength, they are a lot more enjoyable.  Me - not so much.  So I did a few, and then modified it by doing it on my knees. 


Pose I didn't attempt:

  • Crane

And my favorite:

  • Final corpse


How can you not enjoy laying there and relaxing? ;)

So... The final verdict. Will I go back? Yes, I'm going back this week. And next Saturday I have a meditation class I'll be taking as well.

I figured I'd give it 11 classes (so I bought a package of 10).  If I still don't love it, or don't feel as though I'm benefiting from it after that, I'll stop. But I wanted to give it a fair shot.  And I will stick in the beginner class for quite a while. :)
Enhanced by Zemanta

3 comments:

Y is for Yogini said...

Brilliant! I'm so excited for you. :D You have no idea what a kick-ass journey you are embarking upon. I'm serious! As for Down Dog, you'll hear extremely experienced teachers say that this is one of the most difficult poses — and it is. It looks simple, but the body is held in a completely unintuitive position at length and there are so many little tweaks and movements the body begins to become aware of. Don't let that discourage you though, I wanted to make sure that you know it's tough for advanced practitioners, too. :) You should see me in DD — I go up on my toes, wiggle my booty, and pretty much shimmy and settle into place. It's a whole funny process.

When the mental part of yoga begins to kick in, it will knock your socks off. :D I can't wait to hear more about your journey.

Much Love, Lo :)

Anonymous said...

I've been trying to get rededicated to yoga. I'm glad you've started! Keep up the good work!

This crazy life of mine... said...

Your post has reminded me how much I miss yoga. It really did wonders for me - physically and emotionally. I originally went to yoga to try and relax, we were in the midst of our infertility woes, and I needed a way to relax, a place to go where I could leave EVERYTHING at the door. It never worked anywhere else, but when I walked in the room of that yoga studio, it was like I found an "off" switch to all my negative thinking. That feeling would stick with me fr awhile. I loved my yoga instructor, she was wonderful. I stopped going due to the cost. The studio ended up closing and then I found out my instructor was at a nother studio. I took one class with her there and while I enjoyed her, the atmosphere was totally different. I've tried to do yoga at home and it doesn't work. My "off" switch does not work at home. I would love to find another studio where I can have that peace and relaxation again.

I hope to hear more from you about your experiences with yoga. Namaste. =)

She knows the buttons to push...

Nearly everything she does, she pushes my buttons.  She looks at you with this squinty smirk and answers questions in the bitchiest way she ...