Ever since I moved to my retirement community, I've embraced the independent-living lifestyle. Suddenly, I wanted to try everything the place had to offer and so I did. Well, for the most part. Some classes you have to sign up for and, although yoga caught my eye, I wasn't sure if it was going to be my cup of tea. But hey, a gal has to do what a gal has to do in order to keep healthy and beautiful, right? And if my parents hadn't stopped me from dancing the night away back in the day, some funny looking body shapes wouldn't stop me now!
And with that thought, I decided to attend my first ever yoga class.
I was right on time, wore comfortable clothes and my "I'm confident" face; boy oh boy! I needed a bit more than that!
They say yoga poses can make you focus on your place in the universe but I could only focus on how not to fall. Sweat mustaches and accidental body noises were nothing compared to how shocked I was to learn that my balance could be improved…by a lot. That's where my concentration went during most of the class –not falling face flat.
Sure, I might've looked more like a fish out of water wobbling from side to side than the graceful and centered look I was aiming for, but it was fun. Thank goodness for our instructor and that "no-shame" approach. I really needed it.
At the end, it was nothing like the game of Twister I had in mind. If anything, I'd describe it like a set of flowing (and yet, quite demanding) stretches that made me feel relaxed and light as soon as the class ended.
A couple classes in, my body felt stronger and my mind at ease. It amuses me to think how quirky we all must look switching positions and exhaling heavily. I've learned that yoga can do wonders with mood too!
I'll continue practicing it and recommend it for everyone who, like me, is craving for a stimulating exercise that can be adapted to any age and, especially, for those who aren't afraid to shake things up a bit.
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