Let’s Talk Yoga
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I’ve tried for years to become a yogi. My first taste of yoga was when I was a personal trainer and working at an exclusive women’s gym in Southern California. I guess if there is any place to be introduced to yoga it’s California known for being the land of fruits and nuts to the rest of the world. Always trying the latest health trends from adaptogens to sound baths, the ideas that come out of LA can seem woo-woo at best and loony at worst. But Yoga has been around longer than LA has and it has morphed into a mainstream staple in the Western world that combines posture-based movement with breathwork. There was one yoga class at the gym I worked in, known more for its step classes and personal training. In the 90’s it was all about the burn with Step Aerobics, Tae Bo, and a plethora of celebrity workout videos. Yoga felt too slow to my mid-twenties brain. I wanted to move and sweat and work so hard I would worry about throwing up. I think I went to two classes and while I was impressed with the yoga teacher’s flexible, supple 50-something body, I didn’t find a connection to it. I could kick myself now but that whole hindsight being 20/20 thing is spot on.
I went through another yoga dating phase when I moved to NY. I got a Groupon for a Bikram Yoga Studio in midtown and thought I’d give it another go. I was skeptical as I had tried one Bikram class in California on the advice of a friend and the moment I walked into the suffocating studio I knew I was in trouble. The whole class I was reminded why I had moved away from Florida in the first place. It felt like I was trying to do yoga in a tent on the beach in Miami in the middle of summer. I was drenched and terrible at the 26 asanas that make up the class. I’m still not sure what provoked me to buy that Groupon but I trekked from the West Village to the East 53rd St studio three times a week for the duration of my free month and I have to say I got a little bit hooked. The room wasn’t as miserably humid as I remembered and the instructors were welcoming and informative. At one point, my fingers were slipping trying to hold my foot so I grabbed the towel they provided for some leverage. The yoga instructor gently shared that it was better to let my hands slip without the use of the towel because it would help strengthen the muscles and tendons in my hands. I think that was my first lesson in progress, not perfection. In yoga, it’s okay to fall over and lose your balance. It’s part of the practice. It’s a lesson in shutting down the voices of self-criticism in my head. Letting go of the false notion that I have to do everything perfectly even as a beginner. I was also pleasantly surprised at how much it helped my running. I felt light and agile when I went for a run and the only change had been the yoga addition. Maybe there was something to it. Unfortunately, a 90-minute class combined with an hour commute on the train derailed my yoga practice once I started working, so yoga and I broke up again.
It wasn’t until the Pandemic and my introduction to the Peloton app that yoga finally became part of my routine. I was able to begin by myself in the privacy of my own home to start with very beginner classes and build strength, balance and confidence in my practice. In keeping with the challenges in my Self-Care Solution Book,* I decided to do 30 days of yoga. It didn’t have to be extreme, just consistent. Some days I did 30 or 45 minutes and some days I did 5. The beauty of the Peloton app is the variety of time, level, and style and the 24-hour availability to roll out my mat and grab my props. I really enjoyed it and because of that, I’ve been able to keep it in my routine as a key foundational piece, along with strength training and my beloved runs and walks.
When we road trip I even throw my tools in the car and take my workouts with me. Between those, my running shoes and jump rope, and the five functional strength moves I shared in a previous post you can read here, I can stay consistent no matter how long we are gone. Traveling should be no excuse to fall off your fitness wagon. Have you tried yoga? Don’t let photos of advanced poses like Crow, Cobra, or Scorpion scare you. For a very long time I could not do Tree pose but with practice patience and balance work, I’m proud to stay my Tree stands tall and proud even if she sways a little like there’s a soft breeze blowing.
If you’re ready to try a little yoga here are some of my favorite tools to make your practice more fun, giving you stability and adding height and support when you need it.
-Yoga Mat* The yoga mat I’m using now I actually got as bonus from R+F for reaching some goals but in the past I’ve been a big fan of the Gaiam mats. I don’t like them too squishy as some can be and these are the perfect thickness with no slip.
-Yoga Blanket* I asked for this blanket for Christmas and I love it. It’s perfect for giving my bum a little lift in seated poses and for grounding me at the end of my practice in Shavasana.
-Yoga Blocks* Yoga blocks are so helpful to your practice. They are inexpensive and two makes so many poses more achievable.
-Yoga Strap* I have been using a yoga strap to stretch long before I had my own regular practice. They are so easy to throw in a bag but make stretching much more relaxing so you can really let your muscles release.
-Yoga Bolster* This bolster has also been a lovely addition to my practice. It’s really nicely made and the color is gorgeous. I like my tools to coordinate. It brings a level of beauty to my routine that makes me happy.
Feet Up Chair* We also splurged and got this headstand chair for Christmas last year. I wanted something to help me work on inversions with out compromising my neck.
Start with 10 minutes of a beginner class and let me know what you think. Maybe some day we could practice together!
