/ 2nd yoga class

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, I loved reading about your 2nd yoga class!The language used for the poses is actually Sandskrit, and you'll soon be familiar with them as you hear them over and over as you do the poses. I actually prefer the more spiritual practices, but that's just me. My life isn't spiritual enough, and this practice appeals to my Eastern sensibilities. As far as power yoga or Ashtanga yoga goes - yes, the gym folks really like it because you do sweat and it does have an athletic feel to it. I prefer the yoga you are doing though. I like to hold poses longer, really get into them, and be able to elongate and deepen them. Moving quickly through vinyasa is fine but I feel my form gets sloppy at times and I just like to savor my yoga poses. Again, just pesonal preference! There are MANY flavors of yoga, and it's fun to try them all! I'd still like to take Bikram or "hot yoga" but am leary of the sweat that is

infused in the carpets of those places, the potential odors, and also fear of passing out!Anyway, I'm THRILLED you have discovered yoga. I really think it should be mandatory in junior high p.e. classes and I think the world would be a much better place if everyone did yoga or at least tried it for awhile!Heart center,nancydewolf <nancydewolf@...> wrote: This morning was my 2nd yoga class and I LOVED it again!!! I am amazed at what my body can

do! Really! I had no idea I could stretch the way I do there! It appeals to my athleticism and also relaxes me because it is not competitive. A new instructor took over today (she assisted last week) and she was fabulous! She encouraged us to close our eyes as much as possible which was a bit weird at first but then I realized I really liked it. I put so much emphasis on watching what the instructor models and following the other people in the group (plus comparing myself to them in good and bad ways) and she wanted us to mostly hear the instructions for the pose and do them. She'd model getting into it then walk around gently adjusting people and instructing as she walked. I found by closing my eyes I could feel my way into the pose and that was surprisingly easier than watching someone and copying their actions. I doubt it would work for aerobics but it was great for yoga! I noticed her style was less "spiritual" than the other teacher we had last week (who

owns the center). She focused on our breathing and talked about honoring our bodies and working with our bodies in a very relaxing, encouraging way but did not talk about more religious practices (chakras, having a prayer at the end) and she didn't use Hindi (I hope that is the right language, please correct me if it is not so I can learn more) terminology. I found that more comfortable for me partly because it focused on our bodies more and also because my ignorance of the religious practices of yoga and terminology made the other instructor's use of it a bit distracting for my first time doing it (with no introduction to terms, etc. because most people were not brand new). I wouldn't mind having the other teacher again (she was excellent too) though especially as I get more comfortable just being there and with the poses themselves. One weird thing happened

though. I got there and all of sudden a man is greeting me by name and I realize it is the new pastor at my church!!! He was in the class too! I don't know him well yet but I was on the search committee that interviewed and called him and I really like him a lot but it took me a minute to place him and then his mat was next to mine! It was really strange at first but then I got used to it and was fine. He said he'd been doing yoga for 4 years and really enjoyed it. I told him I was brand new and he was very impressed with my strength and flexibility for being new (that's the 2nd time I've heard that, this is cool, I still don't dare anything that requires gracefulness though, that won't bring any compliments for sure). I know I worked harder this week because I was more comfortable with what was going on and because of closing my eyes through a lot of it. I was talking with the instructor afterwards and she suggested I'd enjoy Vinyahsa (spelling is

probably wrong) yoga too because it flows faster and is more aerobic. I decided I might, but only after I get really comfortable doing the poses so that I CAN flow from one to another quickly! Another lady said she'd been doing yoga for 5 years and knows all the poses but felt that class was too quick for her to do them easily and in a flowing way. I think I'll wait a while!! Taking a class for this was much better for me than trying to learn from a video. I didn't get a chance to get to Target before or after the class for new exercise clothes but am planning a visit this weekend. I had on my baggy sweats again and just feel like a blob in them. I'm treating myself to a more comfortable exercise/hang around the house outfit. I work out in my basement usually too and it is SO COLD down there when I start this time of year that I need something on at first and even though no one is seeing me, I just hate putting on the sweats, it actually demotivates me to go

downstairs knowing I'll be putting on my blob outfit. I force myself past that feeling but it might be a little easier if I make even the getting ready to go downstairs part of the experience more enjoyable Also, we did downward dog (is that the right name?) this time but didn't last week. I can see what you all were saying about getting a t-shirt in your mouth on that one! I had one my long exercise bra so no ride up (which might have been especially embarrassing next to my minister, it was weird enough being in that form fitting shirt next to him)! I owe a bunch of people notes and will try to get to those later today. DD is getting off the bus in 10 minutes. Back to the real world I guess.