so, yoga class

[threeplusfire]

My first yoga class was this evening. It is right between home and work, just ten minutes away. The location is very convenient, and the space is nice inside. I purchased myself a yoga mat. It is very burgundy and squishy.

It was nice, and more enjoyable than I expected. The instructor was not too hippie mystical woo-woo, nor was she like the drill master from gym class. It was interesting overall. I have always known my back was a mass of tension, muscles coiled up like razor wire. But I never realized how much lower back pain I just sort of carry around without giving it too much thought. Ouch. We did some very basic things, nothing horribly difficult and just varied enough so that one could find some pose to feel accomplished.

Let me note that being aware of my own body is sort of awful. It freaks me out. It's too fleshy and mortal and strange. I spend so much time ignoring it in every possible way. Engaging in a task that requires me to get over this will probably be a bit crazy making but ultimately probably one of those Good Things to Do.

Comments

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

Did you do downward dog? I used to hate downward dog, but then when we didn't do it in class I was disappointed.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

We didn't do the full on thing. We made ourselves into L shapes. Wacky!

[brienze.livejournal.com]

I know exactly what you mean about the body awareness thing... I have practically none, as well. It wasn't as weird as I was expecting it to be, when I started working out. Of course, I completely ignore the "yoga breathing" part of it all... if the breath keeps coming in and going out, that's quite good enough for me.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I have to work at not holding my breath randomly. Oops.