straighter already
I took my third yoga class this week. The first was the Iyengar beginner's class on Saturday with Brian, subject of the highly-commented upon post about said yoga.
The second being a Hatha class on Monday that I didn't like and today being the magical class Yoga Yoga said was Hatha but seemed like Iyengar to me (based on my deep hour and half of knowledge from Saturday and no clear understanding of the specific differences between the two). Clearly I need to do more research. (Recommend away folks)
There was unanimous opinion among class attendees on the magic. It was a small class and I'm fairly sure the magic came from the instructor going around and gently tugging on our heads and shoulders while we were laying in Savasana. Delightful tingling ensued. It was lovely, lovely, lovely.
I'll credit Brian with lots of yoga education in the last few months, which has made more interested in learning the technique, which in turn, has made me much less competitive. I used to fall into the trap of thinking I should be able to stretch more than that 50-year-old woman across the room even though I am out of shape, have terrible posture, and have hamstrings so tight I can sit down and either put my legs out straight in front of me or keep my back straight. But not both. In short, I used to find yoga painful.
This time around, with a mindset more closely aligned with the spirit of yoga, I am finding it much more enjoyable. Miraculously, I find that I've been sore in my shoulders and upper back all week from KEEPING MY BACK STRAIGHT. Even now, sitting in my bed, my back isn't rounded. Just a couple of good yoga classes has made me much more aware of my back muscles and what they are doing. Those of you who know my posture know that me not slouching is a BIG DEAL. Ha, I have hope of not being the hunchback grandmother yet. Perhaps Brian is right and yoga will cure all my ills.
The second being a Hatha class on Monday that I didn't like and today being the magical class Yoga Yoga said was Hatha but seemed like Iyengar to me (based on my deep hour and half of knowledge from Saturday and no clear understanding of the specific differences between the two). Clearly I need to do more research. (Recommend away folks)
There was unanimous opinion among class attendees on the magic. It was a small class and I'm fairly sure the magic came from the instructor going around and gently tugging on our heads and shoulders while we were laying in Savasana. Delightful tingling ensued. It was lovely, lovely, lovely.
I'll credit Brian with lots of yoga education in the last few months, which has made more interested in learning the technique, which in turn, has made me much less competitive. I used to fall into the trap of thinking I should be able to stretch more than that 50-year-old woman across the room even though I am out of shape, have terrible posture, and have hamstrings so tight I can sit down and either put my legs out straight in front of me or keep my back straight. But not both. In short, I used to find yoga painful.
This time around, with a mindset more closely aligned with the spirit of yoga, I am finding it much more enjoyable. Miraculously, I find that I've been sore in my shoulders and upper back all week from KEEPING MY BACK STRAIGHT. Even now, sitting in my bed, my back isn't rounded. Just a couple of good yoga classes has made me much more aware of my back muscles and what they are doing. Those of you who know my posture know that me not slouching is a BIG DEAL. Ha, I have hope of not being the hunchback grandmother yet. Perhaps Brian is right and yoga will cure all my ills.
posted by Kristine at
8:58 PM
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