Since going back to sleep after he's backed out of the driveway is nearly impossible for me, I usually find something to do - like read, jump on my iPad or sort laundry (what an exciting life I lead, eh?!?) - before I really need to start my day, but last weekend, I just didn't feel like doing anything other than watching a little TV. While surfing the 500+ channels our satelite company charges us for - I mean, PROVIDES us with - I stumbled across a woman talking about the benefits of yoga. Soon, she spread out her mat and talked her audience through a few poses. As I was already wide awake and intrigued, I slid the coffee table back and kicked off my slippers.
Years ago, I'd taken a few yoga classes and thoroughly enjoyed them, but I never kept up with it any longer than it took to undo my legs from lotus position, roll up the mat I'd borrowed and head to my car. My television guide was actually targeting the hips and added some interesting stretches before wrapping the workout up with some relaxation - and ironically, my right hip has been a little sore after gym days (which was the day before for me). I was kind of amazed at how much it had loosened by the end of the impromptu class.
Some of the poses were harder than others, I admit. More than a couple of them had me asking if my guide's body actually contained any bones at all. A few of them had me completely out of balance, rolling off of whatever body part I was supposed to be balanced on and collapsing into a laughing heap on the floor. My dog seemed to enjoy those the most, LOL.
Although I couldn't do everything with the grace, poise and, well, conviction of my virtual instructor, I noticed that I was able to do the one thing she seemed to focus most: breathing - as in when to inhale and exhale, as well as focusing on filling the abdomen with air. Thinking about all that while moving from one pose to another wasn't as hard as I anticipated (confession: I am neither the epitome of the "natural" athlete or the best multi-tasker when it comes to doing physical movements) - probably because of all the do-this-with-your-hands-while-doing-this-with-your-legs-and-screaming practice I've gotten over the years with kata and kihon. What I did find difficult was doing the movements while WATCHING - like scoping my belly's rise and fall with my chin tucked to my chest and my legs touching the floor over my shoulders (don't even ask what pose that was; all I could hear was the blood thudding in my ears). Karate calls for lots of looking up and out, not down and in. But I can see the compliment yoga can be to karate training, because balance as well as proper breathing are staples and flexibility is more important than it looks. The literal meaning of the word "yoga" is "to add," "to join," "to unite," or "to attach." How fitting :-)
Later that Saturday - after karate - I headed out and bought a yoga mat (so I don't slip and slide all over the living room carpet again next weekend) and a yoga basics book/DVD (so I can do a little hatha yoga even when I can't catch my television instructor). Figuring I can give trying to watch my mid-section expand another whirl.
Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteI've gone to a few yoga classes with my wife. It isn't really my speed, but I almost never turn down a new physical activity.
ReplyDeleteBut what she didn't tell me is that what we were going to was "Bikrahm" yoga, or "hot as the bowels of hell" yoga, to be exact. I've never wondered what it would feel like to be a gummy bear in a microwave but I am certain that I can now profess to understand that experience.