For me the only downside is still MY limited schedule; work/school/crazy late nights/no free-time. So really the only class I can go to is still the 0630 class. But that's ok. Particularly the 0630 class on Wednesday. It's very relaxed (dur, it's Yoga) and laid back. There are normally only 3 of us as well as the instructor. Her name is Sara. She is wonderful. I was a little skeptical at first, quite honestly. Her voice is not calming or soothing like Tom at TYR or Angyl at Salt. She doesn't continually remind you to use your yogic breath (in and out thru nose). But she will make sure you're practicing and doing your poses correctly. It does me no good to be "bendy" as she calls me, if you're not doing what the pose is trying to accomplish. So she'll come over to you (me, or the other guys (2 older gentlemen)) and re-position us so that we are more correctly doing our pose. And that, I really appreciate.
It's funny, one of the older gents in our class really likes me being there. He says I 'inspire' him. Take that as you may. Sara always uses me to demonstrate a new pose or how to do a partner-pose. She knows I'm 'bendy' enough but also (mostly) strong enough to do it.
A few weeks ago we were doing simple bridge. Now to me, growing up gymnastic-ing, a back bend and a bridge were synonymous. Lay on your back, feet planted, hand next to your ears, and push up, arching your back and creating an inverted U shape. So in Yoga a bridge is much simpler than that, but still a great post to learn and do correctly. I'll put a picture down below. Anywho, when we do bridge, we always have the option of going into full "Wheel" or back bend, as I'd call it. SO of course I'll give it a whirl. Well let me tell you, I'm not near as bendy or strong as I was when I was 13. Perhaps it's the fact that I don't use many of those muscles that often or that my 32 year old self weighs a touch more than my 13 year old self. But who's counting. Anywho, I can still do a respectable (inspirational?) back bend. But Sara wants me to be able to straighten my arms. Well, my silly shoulders won't allow it. So we're working on it.
This past Wednesday she taught me a really good way to practice my Wheel and work on those straight arms and shoulder strength It was brilliant. I really like that she'll stay over late in class to work with me if there are any certain poses I really want to practice She loves to help too. At the and of each class, post-nameste, she offers additional instruction. Normally I'll take her up on it. So anywho, to help with my wheel, she had me lay flat on my back and and she stood above my head. She had me grasp her ankles with my hands and use her body as leverage to straighten up. It was amazing! I was able to hold the pose longer and extend my shoulders out much more. I'll tackle that damn thing sooner or later!
Alas, I love yoga.
Wheel (Above)
Bridge (Below)
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