When I was (slightly) younger, I did the occasional yoga class, but always decided it was a waste of time. Not enough cardio, didn’t get the “breathing” thing, and was not interested in the non-workout aspects of the practice. I remember one class specifically, where I sat in the dark with 10 other people, for 20 minutes, chanting and channelling energy through my “third eye.” This was not for me!!
Now is a different story. (Well, not for the chanting and “third eye” part, but bear with me…) I have been taking yoga twice a week for the past few months, and am becoming more and more convinced of its benefits.
My body is sore after every class, so I know I am building strength. In fact, I can feel my new, stronger stomach muscles when I straighten my back and sit up properly, now more aware of my posture – and wanting to avoid becoming a hunch back in my old age!! And the more I do yoga, the harder it gets, so I am getting way more out of a workout from the classes than I did when I first started. This is not only because the exercises are progressing, but also, when you start to engage more of your muscles in all the exercises, they get harder.
I am also regaining my flexibility. Although I have plenty of natural flexibility (I have been called Gumbi many times!), I was noticing that I could no longer bend as easily. Yoga is wonderful for that too.
Finally, although I don’t necessarily believe I have a third eye, I am increasingly appreciating the other mental aspects of yoga. Life is busy, and being able to clear one’s mind is not only rare, but tricky, given the volume of things happening at home and work. I find the classes take a lot of concentration, and so my mind can not wander to my to-do list and problems. When I am on the treadmill, I do nothing but rehash my day and try to list my tasks. I may get a workout, but it does not relax me. I come out of yoga feeling that I have worked out, but also, that I have cleared my mind, and relaxed. Often at the end of the class, when we do our relaxation exercise, I nearly fall into a peaceful sleep. I wish I could feel that peaceful and relaxed at night when I go to bed!!
I been enjoying yoga so much, that I have started to do clips of Yoga with my kids on YouTube… hoping it’ll help them get their energy out and calm down! I am definitely going to sign them up for some classes as well.
After 6 years of pregnancies and babies, it has been so nice to find something for me. Something that I enjoy, and that helps me exercise me body, and relax my mind. I know that I will need to fight like heck to keep it on my schedule and not let it get buried in day to day complications.
Hope you find something you enjoy for you as well. Parents deserve a break.
