Introduction to Yoga, or Rather, Re-introduction to Yoga
Yoga is a wondrous thing. I “came to yoga,” quite by chance. A chance so remote, I can’t actually say with 100% certainty. It just appeared in my life, a welcome stranger, and never left. It was more like a reunion of sorts; I was reacquainted with an old friend.
My first memory of yoga was in 1999, I believe. My husband and I traveled to Hawaii with another couple, the “adventurous ones” we like to call them, as they introduced us to many new and splendid (and not so splendid things). The wife half of the other couple invited me to attend a power yoga class being held in the hotel. Her enthusiasm was enough for me, so off we went.
I remember that the class was rather full, and there was just enough space for our mats, but everyone was polite and happy (we were in paradise!) and they gladly made room for us.
I followed along with my classmates, taking their cues from the yogi, as we were led through different poses or asanas. Soon I studied them less and concentrated more on the yogi’s voice and on my body. At the end of class, I simply put my things away and listened to everyone around me marvel about how great they felt after the class. I’m wasn’t sure if I felt any differently than I had at the conclusion of any workout, but there was something nice and peaceful about the practice that struck familiar and good. Surely, I’d tried this yoga before. I don’t recall that it was awkward or strange, or that I felt out of place or silly as some classes I’ve taken have (Nia comes to mind…).
Back home (Chicago), I’d forgotten about my island experience and reverted back to the basics: stepping, running, weight training and spinning which was the latest craze. I knew something was missing; there was a void that I couldn’t quite place. And then suddenly, my health club began an introduction to yoga class. I enthusiastically signed up, happy for the diversity and again, feeling that “need” to practice yoga. I don’t remember the first class I took at the gym, but it must have been comfortable and an overall good experience, because I never stopped practicing and the spinning, and running soon ceased.
My first memory of yoga was in 1999, I believe. My husband and I traveled to Hawaii with another couple, the “adventurous ones” we like to call them, as they introduced us to many new and splendid (and not so splendid things). The wife half of the other couple invited me to attend a power yoga class being held in the hotel. Her enthusiasm was enough for me, so off we went.
I remember that the class was rather full, and there was just enough space for our mats, but everyone was polite and happy (we were in paradise!) and they gladly made room for us.
I followed along with my classmates, taking their cues from the yogi, as we were led through different poses or asanas. Soon I studied them less and concentrated more on the yogi’s voice and on my body. At the end of class, I simply put my things away and listened to everyone around me marvel about how great they felt after the class. I’m wasn’t sure if I felt any differently than I had at the conclusion of any workout, but there was something nice and peaceful about the practice that struck familiar and good. Surely, I’d tried this yoga before. I don’t recall that it was awkward or strange, or that I felt out of place or silly as some classes I’ve taken have (Nia comes to mind…).
Back home (Chicago), I’d forgotten about my island experience and reverted back to the basics: stepping, running, weight training and spinning which was the latest craze. I knew something was missing; there was a void that I couldn’t quite place. And then suddenly, my health club began an introduction to yoga class. I enthusiastically signed up, happy for the diversity and again, feeling that “need” to practice yoga. I don’t remember the first class I took at the gym, but it must have been comfortable and an overall good experience, because I never stopped practicing and the spinning, and running soon ceased.
posted by Andrea | 1:31 PM
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