I started practicing yoga in 2007 for a number of health reasons, mainly to relieve stress, and to implement a physical practice in my life routine. At that time in my life feeling tired, stiff and grumpy was starting to be apart of the norm for me. I also had awful back pain, which was something I had been dealing with for a couple of years.
I was suggested a yoga class on numerous occasions, by different people, to the point where I decided it was worth a shot. I found a yoga class at my local fitness gym where I had a membership and different group classes were offered. So I went right on to “Tarjay” and picked me out a cool yoga mat. Before I knew it I was headed to my very first yoga class.
Yoga is poppan like THIS? Where have I been??...
It was a Tuesday evening 7:43 pm when I arrived at the gym. Class started at 8. After signing in I headed to the room where the yoga classes were taught. As I approach I notice there’s a long line of people with their yoga mats waiting outside of the door. “This is odd”, I thought to myself. “Yoga is poppan like THIS to the point where there is a long long line outside of the door?? Where have I been?” So I started getting nervous. All kinds of stuff started going through my head. I’m thinking to myself” all of these people are going to see me do yoga for the first time??” By now it’s 7:53 and people are starting to enter into the gym for the class to start. “Maybe I should try another day…” I thought to myself. I’m near the middle back of the line, so it would be way too obvious that I didn’t even try. It’s too late to turn back now. People are moving swiftly inside the gym to what seemed to be their usual spots, to lay out their mats and prepare for class to start. I hurry in and lay low….at the back of the room of course. I’m nervous and anxious. I don’t know what to expect. I lay out my mat, towel, and water. I sit on my mat and wait for class to start.
The class is packed. It’s mat to mat. The gym is filled with people who practice Yoga. I didn’t know what to expect but I sure didn’t expect such a huge class.
I notice that people are talking with others as if they are old friends and they come and practice together often. Some are stretching and prepping their bodies for what’s to come. Others are sitting quietly to themselves. There is like a “community” energy in the air. A meeting of experiences, if that makes sense. I was amazed at how many people practice Yoga. I had no idea.
So as I am sitting waiting for class to start I am getting more and more nervous.
And in walks this man. He looks really tall, distinguished and poised. His energy alone lets you know he is the instructor without him even announcing it. There was a mystical essence that came with his presence as he glided into the room. He speaks and his voice is soothing, comforting, but wise and trusting.
We began in child’s pose. Now I had heard of yoga but I had no clue as to how it was all going to go down, what to do or how to even be. I looked around and proceeded to do what everyone else was doing. As we started he began to speak to us, and then it felt like he was speaking to just me. Coaching my breath. Talking me away from the distractions of the world and of my mind. His descriptions brought me right into the present moment.
As we move through the practice I do the poses to the best of my abilities. I’m of course far from perfect yet I feel like I have done yoga before. I didn’t feel uncomfortable as if I was being judged by others or even myself. I just did my best to listen and allowed myself to be guided. I was fascinated how the instructor was able to voice and articulate movements without much visual instruction and everyone knew exactly what to do. Even if you were new to the class.
The playlist is jamming oh so right. Relaxing but recognizable melodies that complimented the flow perfectly.
I didn’t know what yoga was all about but I trusted that I was here for a reason and that yoga was something I needed.
One hour and a half later we end in Savasana, (relaxation pose) and the practice is over….
When I open my eyes, after we all said together “Namaste”, I felt so relaxed. However, I felt like I had put that work in. It was different from an aerobic workout. I felt like I had worked every part of me. My body felt like it had the "works", like a car receives when it’s time for that 100k-mile tune up.
As we all try and come out of the relaxing trance to prepare to leave people started talking to others emphasizing how relaxing, and how much the practice was needed. Everyone said their goodbyes like they will see each other to do this all again soon.
I gathered my things rolled up my mat and headed out the gym and that’s when I felt a "high"... some call it "yoga bliss". The spring night air hit my face and body. I felt like I was walking on puffy clouds. I felt extremely stretched out, loose, and agile. My body had never felt this good after a workout. My body felt like everything had been worked equally. I went home and slept like a baby. I woke up the next morning feeling energized, relaxed, ready to start the day and thinking about the next practice.
That’s when I knew that yoga…. was my new thing :)
I share my first time in hopes that you will experience your first time. Or if you have practiced before what do you remember about your first time?
Yoga may start out as just a physical practice for you and that is more than ok. However, if you keep at it your practice will automatically develop into much more…..if you let it.
Til next time,