Yoga.
Downward dog. Plank. Sun Salutation. Warrior. Child’s pose.
Breathe out the toxins. Breathe from the abdomen.
I’m learning folks – I’m learning.
I started taking yoga classes for the first time on a regular basis last month. I’m 5 weeks into it attending 2 classes a week and attempting my own work out at home on occasion.
I went into it thinking I wanted to focus on flexibility which would lead to a leaner look. I quickly learned I am so not flexible and it has nothing to do with the body-type. I see a person with what appears as a “not-so-great” physique being able to twist, turn, flex and hold poses I can’t even fathom! The instructors are great though. They remind us in every class that we’re all made differently and not everyone will ever be able to do the same poses with great flexibility. That does make me feel somewhat better.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is how important the breathing is. It is by far the number one element to learn. I find myself focusing on breathing through the nose and from the gut all day long. The instructors tell us this will help us in all areas of our lives – in mentally focusing, in ridding our bodies of toxins, in better digestion and so much more.
At today’s class we learned the phrase “loka samasta sukhino bhavantu”. It was a little odd to chant this – as I am not a chanter. But I did it. You can Google the phrase and see what it means.
Namaste.
