Yoga

I tried something new this week. I took a yoga class. I have talked about trying yoga before but it never has happen. So this week when an introductory class was offered at Belmont I decided it was time to get a mat and give it a try. The class was taught by the wife of a classmate of Steve's from high school. I had met Kathy on several occasions and felt she would teach a good class. She began to practice yoga in her 50's and can appreciate that not all of us are as flexible as we used to be. It was an hour of self affirmation and stretching; some traditional poses and lots of emphasis on listening to your body. I enjoyed the class.
Today I went to the library to get a book on yoga and a couple of tapes. Much like Kathy had instructed on Tuesday the emphasis from the library information is body awareness, stretching and meditation. It makes me think that yoga was started by the last kid picked for every team in grade school. I liked the yoga routine but it is not something that some people are good at and others struggle with. With practice everyone could be a yoga master. There are no yoga Olympics. Maybe that is the attraction of yoga. It does make you feel good after completion and I am sure there are going to be some good physical changes from practicing the core strengthening poses. I will need to work on the non competitiveness of it." No judgement" was a term thrown around during the class. Don't judge yourself or others. Do a pose until your body says stop. Stretch as far as you can. Use a wall to steady yourself. Every other activity I have ever participated in stresses getting to be the best you can be. In golf you are better than people with a higher handicap than you. In tennis your have a ranking.  I will struggle with this in yoga. I think as you progress in yoga you must get "in tune" with your body and that is the ultimate goal. Self awareness and calm acceptance of yourself. Hmmm.... Will continue the posts on Yoga.