Yoga

I woke up today feeling like my limbs had been torn from my body. Every muscle hurt, even ones I didn’t know I had, like those along the sides of my neck or behind my knees. The reason? Yoga.

Last week I decided to kick my own butt and get a gym membership, partly because I’m much more motivated to exercise when someone else is walking me through it, partly because I’m too self-conscious to quit mid-workout when I’m in a room full of people, and mostly because I’m so cheap that if I pay for it, I know I’ll force myself to use it. I used my membership for the first time yesterday when I attended a morning yoga class at 24 hour fitness. I had to pray about my fears and insecurities on the way to the gym because it’s been over two years since I did any form of exercise besides walking outside of the comfort and privacy of my own home. I’ve lifted 3 lbs. weights and Hula-hooped to the Wii Fit from time to time, but actually taking a class with other capable, motivated, healthy people watching was a whole different thing. I prayed to focus on the victory of my simply attending the class, regardless of how many moves I was able to complete or how my body or abilities compared to those of others in the class. In fact, I prayed to not even think about others’ abilities, but just to focus on enjoying my time and relishing the progress I’ve made and the beginning of a new step in my journey.

Luckily, my friend attended the class with me, so I wasn’t alone in laying out my mat and nervously waiting for the limber instructor to begin the workout. And boy, was she limber. I swear she moved her body in ways I didn’t think were possible. When she arched her back and held her feet behind her in a “boat pose,” I stared in awe. When she then proceeded to roll from side to side, I almost burst out laughing. But although I couldn’t perform all of the moves perfectly (or even partially at times), I still felt a sense of satisfaction and victory after the class. And though I walked around today like an eighty-year-old woman, I’m looking forward to attending class tomorrow :).