So, a couple of weeks ago I was talking about how I was going to add yoga into my training calendar and I want to report that I successfully have. In fact, I haven’t just added it, I am embracing it!
Even though I normally feel like I can conquer the world, I was pretty nervous about attending my first yoga class. I plod the road and I’m kinda a lone wolf working out, so the change to a class setting was a little intimidating to me. I have been to cycling classes in the past, but there, you just pedal. Not so much to worry about. Yoga on the other hand isn’t just a workout, it’s a culture. What if I was horrible and they didn’t want me to join their yoga culture? So, I researched as I do in all new adventures. I like to be prepared!! I looked up studios, what to look for in a studio, also what not to do as a newbie. I had a good recommendation from a friend for a local studio so I took the plunge and got a 30 day new student pass. I also armed myself with something else very important, my friend Denise. She took the plunge right along with me. It was nice to know I had some backup and that she was as clueless as me!
We decided on our first class to be the beginner class, which was a great call. Our yogi was great at explaining what things meant, how things worked, what we were doing and how it helped our bodies. We sweated hard and I was surprised with as fit I am, how challenging yoga was. It was a nice surprise to be working hard and I look forward to helping my body learn this new practice.
At the end of the first class I felt peaceful and was very encouraged. I thanked the yogi and told her how I had been a bit nervous. She said confidently that both Denise and I had nothing to be nervous about. We could take any of the classes offered with our fitness levels. She also said, “You must do something else to keep in shape.” I proudly said I was a triathlete and she said that I was pretty flexible for a triathlete. It made me feel great that I am taking the time to incorporate yoga now to keep me limber. I’ve read and heard so many stories about tight muscles, tendons and ligaments from the three disciplines. I hope to keep running for a great many years to come and yoga will help in that pursuit. I’m confident that I can keep yoga in my schedule even as I begin half marathon training and then move onto marathon training.
Being on the road is good for the stresses in my life. It melts it all away, but yoga seems to even take that a step deeper. All of the weeks worries get sorted out and taken care of and a new peace pushes me back to the road. Namaste.
