![]() |
morgueFile Kakisky |
Within seven seconds, I chose yoga over Facebook. I hadn’t been to yoga in weeks and was spending way too much time with the other. But I’d been busy. Writing, I’m alway writing. And last month I had strep throat that lingered. Plus we just returned from vacation.
Yada, yada.
Excuses, excuses.
Seven minutes later, I was out the door and into the humid morning wearing my favorite yoga pants that somehow seemed smaller.
After a seven minute drive, I signed my name on the clipboard. “Don’t worry if I spend the whole class in child’s pose—just ignore me, I’m rusty.” I explained to Michelle who teaches Explore the Body. I needed to explore my body. We had become strangers as of late.
Michelle laughed and promised to call an ambulance if I stopped breathing altogether. She’s nice that way.
I sorted through at least seven yoga mats to uncover mine, dusty and abandoned, propped in the corner where I left it in July.
Seven minutes into shoulder stretches, I felt the squeeze of a Charley Horse building through my arm. I adjusted. Charley eventually released his vise-grip hold on my invisible bicep, but not until I reverted to steady pre-labor breathing exercises.
Seven minutes later, I floundered into and out of Thread the Needle Zen Pose. But I did it. Sort of.
Seven more poses, and my shoulders loosened, my mind cleared, the nerve endings in my body tingled.
Seven cleansing breaths into Uttanasana, I could bend near enough to the ground to notice my shabby toe polish.
Seven shades into final Shivasana, I remembered why I love yoga.
Namaste.
talya
This was written for the Write Tribe Festival of Words. Prompt: the number Seven.
I am returning to yoga myself after a month long travel madness
PhenoMenon
http://throodalookingglass.com/2013/09/bison-2/
Good for you! It felt great, after the cramp and all.
I lov the way yoga or any exercise for tht matter make sthe dayy so much more active 🙂
Oh! Heck! I have been yada-yadaing all my life and am yet to start learning yoga 🙁
My hubby and I have only recently started doing yoga together. I couldn’t believe how relaxing it was!! I often use some of the yoga techniques we learned to relax when I am about to go to bed or just need to wind down. Love it!
Yoga is very demanding….people have this mistaken belief that it is not much work; but it is! It’s a wonderful workout!
Roshni
http://www.indianamericanmom.com
Ahh…now you made me wonder…Where is that yoga DVD?
Being a fitness freak,I love reading & practicing Yoga time to time.Thank you for sharing..:)
http://sailorswiferamblings.blogspot.com/2013/09/seven-sacred-chants.html
Phew, I was exhausted just reading about your workout. Never realized yoga was that intensive but then I’ve never tried it. Great use of the number seven and I chuckled over your post.
Hey, been almost one year since I started and I feel more relaxed and fit. It’s another thing thy I am still struggling with movements..lol
It really is a great way to get fit. I’m already sore (a good sore) from the workout described in this post.
It’s me on http://www.vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com
I really need to get back to yoga!
Well yeah. Especially with that name Mama Zen!
uhhh…wasn’t Yoga a bear’s name? After reading your hilarious story, I think Yoga really could be a bear, or at least, it would be for me to try to do…just sayin’.=) And please, no visuals of me fighting the Yoga “bear” unless you can visualize me at the ER, later.=) But seriously though, when it comes to me trying Yoga, I just don’t think my ‘stretchy pants’ can stretch that far.=)
Oh sure they would. Lycra is very stretchy.
I really need to get back to Yoga…. Loved your story!
Thanks Winnie! Have you tried Lotus Yoga in Lakewood? It’s my favorite. We should go together sometime!
After reading your story, I am interested to practice Yoga too 🙂 Lovely post Talya.
Love yoga and yes Shavasana – the best of all – sheer bliss.
Love the way you’ve written this….There are days when I wake up on time and do my Yoga routine, I am pumped up through the day. Both my body and mind feel light. Then there are days when I just get a little lazy :(, trying to change that!
I am in love with yoga ever since I took part in a workshop last year. But I find so many excuses not to do it nowadays.
I am in love with yoga ever since I took part in a workshop last year. But I find so many excuses not to do it nowadays.