So I went to yoga this past week, and as a disclaimer: I’ve never done yoga before. I have heard people have great experiences with it, so I figured I would try it. I could use a little more zen in my life. So I threw on some “yoga clothes,” head to the gym and pick out a mat.
Over the course of that next hour, I learned several things:
1. “I am getting old!!!”
Before people say I’m not old, hear me out. The yoga instructor had us doing bridges like little kids do all the time. I remember doing these with ease, but in yoga class, I was struggling mad hard. My body felt like it was breaking and my mind was telling me to stop. Needless to say, the day after yoga I was very sore.
2. “This mat is gross”
Yes, I probably should have brought my own mat, but I didn’t want to buy something if yoga just wasn’t my thing. So as I sat in “Child’s Pose” I hoped that the mat had been cleaned.
3. “I thought yoga was supposed to be relaxing?”
Instead of being relaxed and feeling zen, I felt like a confused pretzel who kept falling. I couldn’t keep up with the instructor, my breathing was all out of whack, and I just wanted to go home.
4. “I hope that girl falls”
The girl in front of me had definitely done yoga before, because she was adding her own pizazz to the already hard yoga moves we were doing. Yeah, it’s rude of me to hope that she would fall over, but there’s no need to show off!
5. “Will I be able to get out of bed tomorrow?”
Again, so sore. We were moving in ways that a body should NOT have to move. Fortunately, I was able to get out of bed.
6. “Has it been an hour yet?”
Yoga can be exhausting! I kept looking at the clock, hoping for it to say 10:00 already. Yoga is a workout and works muscles more than you realize.
7. “Finally, we can lay down”
Towards the end of the session, the instructor had us lay down and focus on our breathing. This part honestly made it worth it, because I was able to just relax. She even walked around and sprayed essential oils around the room.I probably have never been more relaxed in my life.
Overall, yoga wasn’t the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, but I’m not sure if I will be going back any time soon. I have so much respect for those who do yoga because that takes so much strength and mental focus. I felt more relaxed after the class, but during the class, I was struggling.I might not be a “yogi,” but what I took from it is that we need to spend time to reflect on how our body is feeling and to take that time to relax, because we deserve it.
