Yoga is something I have always wanted to do more of, but always found an excuse to “not have time.” Yet I constantly make time for other exercise classes – in fact I prioritize going to spin or strength classes or soccer – and claim I don’t have time to stretch. Adding to that, I have access to FREE yoga classes (along with pilates, foam rolling and other restorative classes) because I am a fitness instructor and work at a gym where I can go to any class at any time! Yet somehow, I don’t regularly make the time for anything but strength… so!
I have now been to a yoga class at Oak Bay Fitness. It was a Yin-Yang class, which I had no clue what that was, until the instructor explained that first half of class would be strength, while the second was more stretch and hold. I was not expecting to sweat that much in yoga (that’s not hot yoga)! It was a great class; however, I found my mind flashed in and out throughout the entire thing and I found it challenging to stay present. That’s definitely something I want to work on! Focusing my thoughts on what I’m doing at that moment – I’d engage for a sequence but then thoughts would come through my mind and take me away from the moment. Hopefully it gets easier…
This Sunday night I went to my first yoga class at One Yoga with my sister in-law. Definitely having a friend go with you to a class holds you accountable – I was regretting committing to it but couldn’t bail on her, so I showed up. I loved this class: it was a flow yoga class, and it was “warm” (not quite hot yoga, but warm enough that you’re sweating lots!). Class was an hour, and for the first 15 minutes, my mind focused on what everyone else in the room was doing, how close we were together, the music that was playing, who was flexible, what tattoos people had… then my mind turned off for a bit. I’m not sure for how long (definitely not the rest of the class), but I was able to just do the movements and not think and it was really nice. Even though I didn’t stay present the entire hour, I had a great time and left feeling grateful I showed up.
