2.26.2008

Om

I went to my first yoga class on Saturday. I can barely move today.

When I first got there, I thought things were a little sketchy. Our teachers name was Earth, or Rain, or Willow or something hippy-ish like that, I don't recall, but she was wearing a rainbow tie-dyed shirt. Like the kind that was cool in 6th grade. I almost walked out, but stayed to see what this yoga business was all about.

We did these warming-up Om chants. I kind of felt like I was in a cult, but kept on going. Besides, I was the furthest person from the door.

Surprisingly, I started to enjoy it. To my utter amazement, I could do poses like this:
And I could do them fairly easily. I'm thinking "Sweet. I can totally do this." Then we get to this pose. Totally relaxing. I wanted to fall asleep. And then we stood up and the room went black. I damn near passed out. Right in front of all the weirdies. And Willow. I was ((this close)). Then right when I thought I was going to hit the floor, the blood returned to my head and the room started to brighten. All was well.

Until we had to do this. Looks simple? Maybe for most, definitely not for me.
It was the 6th grade sit-n-reach test all over again. Me in my tie-dye shirt trying to stretch the back of my hamstrings, seeing how high of a number I could get. Dumb Jennifer Avery the gymnast could almost stretch past the entire sit-n-reach board. Not happening for me then or now. The 60+ woman next to me could stretch past her toes.

I really liked the pose at the end where we lay on our backs with a blanket on and a cool bean bag over our eyes. I totally rocked that pose.

I felt good when I walked out of what I thought was my one hour class and looked at the time in my car. 2 whole hours of yoga. It really felt like 45 minutes.

I will be returning. Twice a week. I bought the season pass, or whatever it's called. Just start worrying if I change my name to Sunshine.

UPDATE: Went to my second class, the blood didn't return to my head fast enough this time and I was on the floor. Twice. And yet, I'm still going back.

Have you ever done yoga? What do you think about it? Am I the only one who wants to laugh in class? Am I that immature?

17 comments:

Chanté said...

I've been to one yoga class. Hated it. I thought it was pointless and seriously wondered how anyone loses weight or tones by practicing it. I have heard otherwise by a lot of people. I don't feel like I'm getting a good workout unless I'm sweating my brains out on the treadmill.

Kalli Ko said...

My work hires in a yoga instructor to come in once a week and I love it. I really like the stretch I get and I'm the most non-flexible person in the world. So don't worry, it's not just you who can't do the sit and reach.

Though now I need a prenatal yoga class, don't want to be cutting off blood flow to my kid or anything. And yes, I still laugh at the poses. Some of them are just so awkward.

Erin said...

I've never done yoga. I always thought I would bust out laughing and get kicked out. I've watched a class before at the Gym and thought it looked hilarious. But keep up the good work champ. lol

Mamarazzi said...

about 5yrs ago i decided that i wanted to do yoga. i went to 4wks of classes...OMGoodness!! the aches the pains and giggles..the new flexibility...wink wink!!

right now i am in the middle of looking for a new gym...my smart hubby went around and got me 1 and 2 week passes at gyms close to our home..so basically i have enough FREE membership to last me almost 3 months..AWESOME!! so today i tried a water aerobics class...talk about laughing out loud! oh man all the blue haired ladies and the old men...so much fun! to my surpise it was a pretty good workout.

McKelle said...

I took a yoga class in college. I LOVED the last position in the class too. I fell asleep almost every time. My teacher called it "the sponge" (isn't that a form of birth control?). I unfortunately took the class with a friend, so we DID laugh through most of it. No down dog for me. I prefer pilates.

Jen Tornow said...

I'm so glad you are enjoying yoga! I can't wait to have this baby and join you!

Mamarazzi said...

hey as soon as you can untangle yourself from a yoga postion, stop by my place. i tagged you for a super fun meme.

woo hooo...you are welcome!

Jenny P. said...

I tried yoga once... i don't remember really hating it, but I also don't remember loving it enough to get really in to it. I'm like chante... I have to be super sweaty and totally exhausted to feel like a work out was worth it. I hate my treadmill... but love it all at the same time.

here by way of the vasquez3... you have a very fun blog. I'll come by again sometime!

Brandon and Lesli said...

HI! Sorry I didn't tell you about my blog - One of my sisters just found out about it last week if that makes you feel any better! Brett is so cute! I like him.... and I like yoga! I've been doing for about 4 years now, and some instructors are way better than others - Once I made Brandon come with me when we were at this hotel on a vacation and the lady made us do all this "Ommm" -ing and chanting - I was holding a laugh and snorted very loud ... hmmm

sheena said...

Loving this post.

I was so anti yoga for so long--I like to drip sweat and get physical for my workouts. But then I thought why not give it a try. My first few times I will admit I got the giggles way too many times. Actually I still laugh everytime someone says updog.

Anyway then I started to really focus and pay attention and I LOVE it. I only go once a week and I think about it every day. I've actually got all teary and emotional.....how crazy is that!

it's way crazy.

{Erica} said...

You're so funny...loved the way you wrote this post Sunshine :). I used to do yoga, stopped and your post made me want to start again. I love my pilates but I'm going to start up yoga (maybe :D) in spring I think....don't quote me on it. Please keep writing and trying to convince me to start up again.

oh wait...so I did sign up for a Bikram yoga class...apparently it's crazy...look it up and tell me if you'd do it. (I'll let you know what it's like once I go).

McKelle said...

I don't think I'm going to go to the jewelry show. What days are you going to be there? It would just be too hard with Gwen. I wouldn't get to enjoy it.

Doodle Bugs said...

well I am laughing my butt off at you... I promise I would be the same way if not 10x worse! Keep us posted on your progress :o)

Kim Sue said...

Not only am I laughing now at your description but I think i would get tickled at my non-flexible self and would not be able to stop laughing. I think it would ruin the mood and I would be asked to leave :0)

{Erica} said...

k so bikram yoga is done in a super heated room so you totall sweat...hence the video you were watching...i'm sure the beginners class isn't as intense as the video you watched...i'm hoping :)

Lindsay said...

Not sure what it is but I have NEVER been able to make it through a yoga class without completely embarrassing my sister or myself. I laugh out loud - HARD - EVERY TIME. I purposely position myself by the door so I can leave as soon as the laugh attack starts. I tried to go by myself once and still had to sneak out. It's just better for everyone if I don't go.

Carina said...

I remember the first time I did an actual class, not just me stretching in a room next to a book explaining how to do poses. I felt so relaxed, light, I felt amazing afterwards. The next day I woke up so sore I could barely move.
I mean, what other kind of exercise can you say completely relaxes you but kicks your trash at the same time?