Yep, the above e-card was totally me until recently! We are no longer Yoga virgins, we headed to a 10am Centergy class at City Fitness last weekend before smashing out our planned workouts for the day.
I knew going in to the class that flexibility and balance were not my strong points and the number of times I wobbled around and couldn’t reach my toes certainly confirmed this fact.
You know how when you go to a class for the first time ever and all you want to do is rock on up and hide at the back of the class so you can gauge your surroundings and not be seen by everyone when you inevitably mess up some of the moves? Yeah we had the opposite of that, the only position free when we got our mats was front and center – no exaggeration either!
We looked at each other like what the heck have we gotten ourselves in for and began copying the instructor. The hour went by relatively quickly and as smooth as you would expect for your first time. There was a lot of wobbling around and there was no way I could touch my toes and some of the exercises were a bit of a balancing act (also not a talent of mine). The downward dog is the only yoga pose I could think of when I thought of the term yoga and I will say that I didn’t struggle with that one.
At the end of the class you just lay there and listen to your breathing which I find a little airy fairy (but I do get the point of it and would love to be more in-tune with my thoughts to be able to clear my mind and not start thinking of things like – has everyone left the class and I’m just lying here with my eyes closed looking like a tool?! Or What should I have for lunch today?)
All and all I can see the benefit of yoga and will likely try to attend a class every now and again for something different and because it is a lot slower and relaxed than my normal exercise style and let’s be honest, my body could do with the stretching and learning a thing or two about flexibility and balance.
Have you tried yoga before?
Do you head to the back of the class when you take one?
Love this! Maybe because I’m a yoga fan and a little airy fairy 😉 I feel great when I incorporate yoga into my routine (both mentally and physically) and I see it as a good investment – when I’m older I want to be agile and flexible as these things are often the first to go. There was no way I could bend to touch my toes or balance when I first started either but it just goes to show it can be done! (And I consider myself to be a very INflexible type person)
I love yoga, especially hot yoga! I find going to the front is best so you can really follow the teacher, but it does take practice to get more flexible.
I’m going to try again this weekend, it may become a regular thing yet 😉
The only thing with being near the front of the class is that you can’t see the teacher when your doing the stuff down on the mat as she is up on a raised platform which you need to sit up to see her!
I went to about 4 or 5 yoga classes before my work hours changed and I couldn’t attend anymore. I really enjoyed the class, even though I didn’t particularly like the instructor. I liked the moves and the calming nature and I thought it was a great way to meet people.
However I must say that we never had a problem with being in the back or the front because we were told to form a circle. This was amazing! You can see everyone from the circle so you can adjust your form if you feel you’ve got it wrong and no one feels like they’re being watched more than others. It was the one thing about the class that I absolutely loved. I would really have liked a more social air to it though considering that it was held in the town hall and it’s all locals in a small community.
If I could find a class that suits my hours then I would 100% go again. Until then, I’m following YouTube videos in my spare room on my yoga mat lol.
I like yoga, but I must admit it took me a few years (!!) to find a class that was right for me. One that wasnt too airy fairy and that I felt comfortable in. Try a few different kinds – shop around – I’m sure you’ll find something out there that suits you 🙂