Gentle Yoga

It's been several years since I've practiced yoga consistently.  Well, it's been several years since I've done any one type of exercise (except for walking and running) consistently, hence this blog.  After attending a yoga class this morning, I'm really pissed at myself for letting yoga lapse as a part of my routine.  I absolutely adore it and this morning's class reminded me of that.

I could be wrong, but I think that my first experience with yoga was in 2003 at a gorgeously appointed studio in South Florida.  I don't remember how I found it, but I'd go a couple times a week after work and always attend the classes lead by an adorable woman who told me that she was born in Iran.  I'd guess that she was in her late 50's/early 60's and although she was tiny, she had a surprisingly deep voice. Her Persian accent was melodic and in the few times that I've run through a few yoga poses on my own (to stretch or for whatever other reason) it's her voice that I hear in my head.  She was so funny and cute that she instantly became part of my repertoire of accents/personas and I still enjoy imitating her.  Ask me to say, "sun salutation," and it will inevitably be her voice that escapes my mouth.

I've taken some yoga classes since then, but I never found one that I loved enough to commit to the practice once again. So, of course, yoga was going to have to be a part of this project.  There are so many styles (is that the right term), and studios, and instructors, and even yoga-type hybrids.  I know that I'll be writing about several classes over the life of this blog project.

This morning, I went to my first class at Truth In Motion Yoga.  They offer two free weeks of unlimited classes and that made it really easy for me to choose them as my first yoga class to test drive.  They also have a super informative website and they use the mindbodyonline scheduler (a system that several gyms and studios use) so, it was simple and convenient for me to read about each class and book one that fit my schedule and suited my preferences.

I chose Gentle Sunrise Yoga in order to ease myself back in...just in case.  I am quite possibly the least flexible human being on the planet.  I've never been able to touch my toes or do a split.  Heck, I could never even do a cartwheel.  I think, maybe, I was able to stretch up into a back-bend as a small child, but maybe not!  I'm a living, breathing, walking, talking, set of tight and inflexible muscles.  I know that yoga will help with that, but that would take consistence and commitment and we've already established that I'm no good at that when it comes to fitness routines... 

The class was me and 4 other lovely ladies (all regulars).  The studio is simple, yet well appointed. It's warm and welcoming with wooden floors, candles and lanterns strung at the front, and bamboo murals on the walls.  Our instructor Joanna showed me into the studio and had me grab two bolster pillows, a strap, and a blanket.  They also have mats to borrow for beginners, but I dug my 12 year old mat out of the basement closet and brought it along.  I've used the strap and yoga blocks before, but I hadn't seen the bolster pillows, so I was intrigued.  

All in all, this was a VERY gentle yoga class.  We used the bolsters to do just that. They helped to support our heads and necks while collapsing into deep and easy stretches.  My back has been extremely tight and I felt it relaxing around my rib cage during these deep stretches. Joanna's pace with each individual stretch was slow, but not too slow and although it felt great, I didn't sweat at all. It's hard to classify this class as fitness, except that I tend to group fitness in with well-being and self-care, in which case it qualifies.

At the end of a yoga class, there is a guided relaxation and meditation, called Shavasana. I've always loved this part of yoga and right before we started, Joanna told me that at Truth In Motion, the instructor rubs essential oil on your forehead and you're given a choice of a hot towel across your eyes or an eye mask.  Wow! Um, hot towel, please.  Also, they make a smoothie to share at the end of class! Today's was cherry, banana, and coconut milk.  These extra touches made me enjoy the experience even more.

I will definitely be back to try some of the other classes and instructors (and smoothies).  Oh, by the way, Joanna is originally from Lebanon and has a great accent!

Cost: First 2 weeks free, $16 per class, discount for class packages
Fun Factor: Relaxing
Difficulty: Low

After class, I gave my mat a nice hug.

It's good to be together again, old friend.