If it's Tuesday...

[deborahjross]

... it's yoga day!

One of the unexpected benefits of turning 65 and signing up for Medicare and various supplemental policies (I have vision and dental insurance for the first time in way too many years) was a free gym membership. Although I have a choice of gyms, none of them is near enough to make it feasible to work out there; as in, 45 minute drive each way. However, the gym that I chose offers many yummy classes, including yoga. I've practiced yoga since 1999, but took formal classes for only the first 5 or 6 years. I do have an excuse: my favorite teacher left to become a massage therapist, the remaining classes were at a bad time for my writing day, and then the school closed.

Anyway, I have found a teacher I like just as much as my old favorite, so I have been taking classes again. It's hatha yoga with a lot of vinyasa flow. And oh my goodness, am I getting stronger. It usually takes me a bit to get solidly back into my body -- we writers spend far too much time floating around in our imaginations, don't we? -- but then I end up feeling calm and strong, my body humming with the intensity of the exercise.

One thing that's new to me is setting an intention or a dedication for each practice. What I want (besides a cure for cancer and world peace) is to release the post-traumatic stuff. It feels, even after all these years, like a steel net coiled around something deep inside. So that's my intention -- to let the yoga flow gently but inexorably uncoil that net, to dissolve it, to let it drain away. I expect this will be a slow process, the next level of recovery.

Blessings to all.

Comments

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Yes, Tuesdays have become my yoga days, but it's a big class at 24 Hour Fitness. We've found the really good teacher, though, and she's way too advanced for me but I try all the poses. Before my balance got so wonky I could do a lot more of these poses, but my goal is to get back to being centered.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

A good teacher should include easier variations for all poses, particularly the challenging ones, and tell you how to use supportive props. That's a lot harder in a big class. Is she available to work with you one-on-one for an adaptive session, so you know how to modify the asanas to suit your body?

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

She takes us through a variety of poses, and gives options for most of them. Since I can't yet do a lot of the simplest ones very well I'm not too concerned, since I'm still getting a lot out of the class just trying to do something. And it's a lot of fun.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Fun is good!

[equesgal.livejournal.com]

I love yoga!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

It's certainly balm to this old body as it gently reverses all the damage from 30 years of martial arts!