Last week, I went to my first-ever yoga class. Some friends I’ve consulted recommend yoga to correct my posture and ease my chronic knotted-up shoulder, so I thought I’d give it a try.
It went better than you might think, for a somewhat awkward newbie. There were only a few mishaps:
1. The class info said to bring a large towel. I brought a gigantic, cabana-striped beach towel. Everyone else had normal bath-size towels.
2. My toes cramped.
3. My water bottle got knocked over.
4. I lost my balance.
5. The warm room made me sweat.
6. I tripped over my oversize towel.
That wasn’t so bad, was it?
Yeah, but then the class started.
7:30 PM– The instructor had us lie down on our backs for a few moments to collect our focus. I went into a coughing jag.
7:33 PM– We stood and began with some deep, steady breathing. Looking up at the ceiling while inhaling and then looking down for the exhale made me dizzy.
7:45 PM– My balance is normally pretty decent. I mean, I often stand on one foot while doing chores or talking on the phone, simply to challenge myself. But without shoes, I could not hold even the simplest one-footed pose for more than two seconds. I finally moved to where I could touch a wall. Sheesh.
7:50-8:35 PM– I didn’t know what all the instructions meant.
8:15-8:30 PM– As we progressed, I got so focused on trying to follow the multi-step movement instructions that I, um, forgot to breathe.
8:20 PM– Who forgets to breathe??
However, our instructor encouraged us all along. He kept advising us not to fight our bodies or stress out about things we can’t do (or can’t yet do). That reminded me to be thankful for all I can do.
So, even though the beginner class was still a bit over my head, I’m gonna go back and try again. Any progress is a win, right?
At the close of class, we got to stretch and then relax for a few minutes. As a closing, the instructor said “Namaste” and the others replied in kind. This is apparently a yoga thing.
Bonus: While grocery shopping the very next day, I saw a woman wearing a T-shirt that says it all:
“NAMA-STAY … IN BED.”
Thanks for reading,
Jan
Jan C Johnson, Writer 
Classic Jan, right there! Now your yoga towels have it in for you! If you think you are going to continue, get a yoga mat. It will make life sooo much better. Don’t worry about not being able to keep up. Everyone else in that room was exactly in the same place you are right now…except for the cabana towel maybe. 😉 I haven’t done yoga in many years and many pounds ago, but it’s great for many things. Balance and posture are just a couple. I’ll be you will find that you are more relaxed outside of class as time goes on, too. By the way, namaste is a respectful greeting that means you honor the person you are speaking to. You hear it a lot in yoga classes here but I think it has always been a common greeting in India. Namaste, my friend! ❤️
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You’ll be happy to know that I’ve taken one of two ultra-beginner private lessons, and will resume classes probably after our next trip to WA.
Oh, and I now take a towel that is NOT visible from space.
Namaste!
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Yay!!! I can’t wait to hear how you progress.
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Wow. #1 I would have brought a large towel and a pillow.
#2 My whole body would have cramped
#3 I would not be able to get down on the floor
# 4 I would fall
# 5 sweat in a cool room
#6 I’m out of here
God luck Jan you can do it
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