YOGI me YOGI you
February 5, 2011
Barbara Button
Tags: Exercise options, mid life, Power Yoga, staying in shape, Yoga
So the next exercise class I try is Power Yoga. Now, I must admit, I’m a hold-out! I’ve heard for years about the benefits of Yoga. We’ve all had them drilled into our psyche since Madonna subscribed in the early 90′s. (It always astonishes me that I can talk in increments of multiple decades!) You know … how cleansing breaths and gentle stretches can clear your mind, ground you, and de-stress you, at the same time it increases your ability to enjoy sex – who WOULDN’T want to practice? But, I have remained a skeptic because the whole idea of candles in a dark room with barefooted strangers in convoluted poses makes me question how you can call this exercise. I personally like to sweat and feel my muscles fight back when I’m exercising. But … I finally gave in, due to my quest to find the right routine for staying fit in my rearranged life. And guess what?
I LOVED IT!
The instructor was almost ethereal in the dim lights – with that soothing voice and calming message about being in the place that was right for you – and listening to your body. The candles actually worked – honest to God – you really do escape for that moment in time. I discovered two things I’d like to share:
1) The power of touch is amazing. I bent and stretched and rested and posed – and felt amazingly peaceful by the time we lay in repose to reflect and regroup before the lights went up and we rejoined the hustle and bustle outside. My eyes were closed so I didn’t expect it when the instructor lay her hands on my shoulders from behind and pushed them gently to the floor. Wow – it felt amazingly good. And then she rubbed her hands together and around my ”space” and spread the aura of this wonderful relaxing aroma. I could have lay there for hours!
The idea that after that entire hour of pushing myself and my body to its limits – the yogi way – the thing that felt the best was when someone else put pressure on my muscles – and touched me. It made me think of the power of touch. We ALL have that power – and do we use it enough? An old friend had visited me that morning, before class … because she was in need of an ear. I remembered at that moment that I had cradled the back of her head in my hand as I hugged her good-bye – and was glad I did. That tiny touch said so much more than just a hug. Again … do we all realize the comfort or the power of touch? It’s so easy to use – and free!
2) The Yoga instructor in all her wisdom instructed us in those last calming moments of meditation to “go to the place where YOU find joy”. Oh my! Top my surprise … I actually had a hard time identifying that place. My peaceful and relaxed mind suddenly became neurotic searching for a place I could label as such. I hadn’t ever really thought of any place like that … did I have a joyous place to go to or not? If not … why not? Was there something wrong with my life? Or was there something right – that I couldn’t identify ONE place that gave me joy. I struggled to visualize a cherished vacation spot, or a comfortable corner of my home, or even the warmth of the solid relationship I have with my husband … but nothing worked. I didn’t feel joyous!
The word joy is actually beautiful, but very intense. An intense happiness that is clear and perfect. Not much in life is perfect. But most of life is there to enjoy! I’m game for that … to enjoy life – in its entirety! And often! And maybe … if I go often enough – to this peaceful place called Yoga class, I’ll find a “joyful” place eventually I can escape to.
Maybe you can too.
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1.
diane |
March 20, 2011 at 12:47 pm
with my choice of vocations, I leave work with my body exhausted, my head scrambled, and not able to verbalize anything. The soothing environment and stretches bring all the pieces back together again. I am a firm believer. also sweating and huffing not my style. oooops