Tuesday 11 January, 2005

Taking control

Well, you probably know by now about my love-hate relationship with exercise. I enjoy it once I get into it, but if I need to take a break coming back to it is almost impossible. I've been thinking about getting back to yoga for several months now, and last week I made a first move by starting to look at yoga clubs around the downtown area. Bikram "hot" yoga seems to be really popular around the area, so I'll probably give that a go - however how curious I am about it, I don't think it's going to be my thing.

Yesterday I decided I should start by doing some ashtanga at home, so I took out my David Swanson book, and selected a 30 short series that I would do. I considered taking out my yoga mat and was thinking about where I'd put it - luckily we have a spacious living room so there's plenty of room. By the evening I hadn't done anything else - but just before I went to bed I took out the mat and put it in the living room waiting for my practice today. That's how far I got yesterday.

Today, I got out my yoga gear, put the mat out... and just did it. I had chosen the shortest of the Swanson's short series (I'm a big believer in realistic goals) and I just did it.

And once again I remember what I love about yoga. How my body warms up, how the ujjayi breath flows, and how my body feels totally relaxed afterwards. Yes, this is my thing.

Posted by kolibri at 11 January 10:29, 2005
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# 1 - Ursa Major (on January 11, 2005 12:35 PM):

I had the same thoughts today when coming back to our yoga class. As we have had over one month passive time it was quite demanding to do even easier poses. Todays favorite was called Hero's position, which I found easy to do as a more or less heavy excercise.


# 2 - kolibri (on January 11, 2005 02:36 PM):

Yep, I love Hero pose too.


# 3 - Chu (on January 12, 2005 04:27 AM):

Way to go, dear! I'm very proud of you.


Probably the loveliest thing about excercise is how it rewards you immediately.

First, there's the mental satisfaction of actually getting it done, eg. making it to the class.

Then there are the sentiments that rise from the physical activity itself: how your body remembers what to do, how the endorphin flow starts, how oddly gratifying it is simply to exert yourself.

And finally, there are the after effects: you feel wonderfully refreshed and healthy, relaxed and energetic at the same time.
Lighter, somehow.

It's marvellous, and it just keeps on astonishing me :).


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