Still Alive after first Yoga Class . . .

casbahdance · 11-27-2007, 10:21 PM

Took my first-ever yoga class this morning at 9:15! I'm so excited!

It's now 8:00pm and I can still move -- pretty much . . .

After today's class, I definitely understand how yoga is not only a good stretch-er, but also a great strengthen-er!

I think I'm sore in all the right places, except that I tweaked the front of my right shoulder a bit somehow; this tweak feels familiar and it should be okay in a couple of days.

The teacher was very specific in her instructions; although she faced the class, she always referred to the class's point of view (right/left); she gave specific feedback to specific students, as well as giving general "now make sure you've got your feet aligned . . ."; she also gave excellent "secondary" instructions; she kept us moving through poses throughout, but it never felt rushed.

Just in general, she has a very calming presence about her, which seems to be the right "personality" for this level (rank beginner).

I can't wait to go back next week!

Deborah

*Shira* · 11-27-2007, 10:58 PM

I'm a beginner at yoga too - have been taking class on and off for about a year. I find that it's really hard for me, but it also feels really "right" for my body so I keep going. I have a great instructor too, which is also why I keep going back.

jewelsdances · 11-28-2007, 12:46 AM

I have been taking yoga for about 3 months now. When I first started, my body would literally yell "thank you" to me afterwards. Even though I would be sore I just knew that my body needed this type of exercise. I am especially happy with the Vinyasa classes which talk more about how you are feeling during the movements.

perizaad · 11-28-2007, 11:12 AM

It sounds like you found yourself a great teacher- that can make all the difference when you're first starting out! It can be confusing at first; this is how my Mom described her first yoga class- "You want me to put my hand where and look which direction? Wait, I'm supposed to breath out of which nostril? Huh?"

Good for you! Have fun!

Lauren_ · 11-28-2007, 02:28 PM

Yay, Deborah! It does sound like a good instructor. Yes, yoga can be VERY strengthening. And opening up the chest & fronts of the shoulders is SO good for our dance posture! You'll also develop terrific balance & centering skills that will help you with poses, turns, traveling, etc.

I *have* to hijack your thread just for a moment to say that the yoga industry has WAY bigger problems than bellydance, in terms of unqualified instructors.

There are programs that travel to major cities and teach a single weekend workshop and hand out certificates. So being a 'certified' teacher is utterly meaningless. Imagine attending one workshop and teaching bellydance!

I have a yoga specialist cert through ACE, very pro looking, and ACE is a respected fitness organization. I got it by watching a video and answering some questions online. I'm not kidding.

Yoga Alliance certification is the only one that's meaningful, though imperfect. You have to attend 200 hours of teacher-specific study to get that one. But there are great instructors who won't get the YA certification for political reason (debate over who should certify and whether it's valuable, just like in our industry).

So trust your instincts and don't be afraid to ask questions. And if you have a yoga experience that's not great, try to keep an open mind and try a different teacher or a different style of yoga if the opportunity comes up, you're liable to have a COMPLETELY different experience!

(we now return you to your regularly scheduled thread).

tattood1 · 11-28-2007, 02:57 PM

lauren can i off line you a yoga question?? tina

Lauren_ · 11-28-2007, 03:22 PM

Of course. PM me or lauren AT lotus-arts DOT com

Michelle75 · 11-28-2007, 04:23 PM

I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I start my first Yoga class on Tuesday morning at 9:15. I don't know why I'm nervous. I wasn't when I took my first bellydance class. Why should I be now?

Kashmir_LA · 11-28-2007, 05:22 PM

Congrats to everyone who has found their way to Yoga! I've been practicing most of my life and can easily say that it's been a great and positive thing in my life. It's helped me become more balanced (physically and mentally) and has given me loads of stamina and flexibility. I can't stress how much this has done for me and my dancing. Good luck on your journey!

*Shira* · 11-29-2007, 11:54 PM

Tonight was the first time in 6 weeks that I dragged my sorry butt to yoga class. I'm going to be s-o-r-e tomorrow! And yet, even though certain parts of class were hard for me, at the same time it felt so right!

HotDogYogini · 11-30-2007, 11:45 AM

Yoga is the bomb, really. It can be practiced at all levels. Sick, sorry, old, athletic, in between. I can't imagine having lived without it.

casbahdance · 11-30-2007, 02:56 PM

Thanks for all the replies, everybody!

It's now Friday, the fourth day after my first class, and I'm almost back to normal!

It was interesting how my "soreness" went through phases this week.

Monday: after class was generally quite stiff (I was very stiff when I went in) and a bit sore in places.

Tuesday: a bit less stiff, but now feeling more muscle soreness in very specific places, such as quads and a funny spot high on my back on either side of my neck . . .

Wednesday: about the same stiffness but less muscle soreness, except for that funny spot near my neck.

Thursday: a bit less stiff and a bit less muscle soreness.

Friday: still less stiff, most muscle soreness gone, including that funny spot near my neck.

I'm ready for next Monday's class! I will definitely warm up before I leave for class, even if it's folding laundry!

Deborah

ejaghana · 12-05-2007, 09:12 AM

I just took my first yoga class about 2 weeks ago. I really enjoyed it and the teacher was really hands on and awesome. I was sore for about a week. I also realized that i have no upper body strength. I haven't had a chance to go back to that particular class. (It was near the Duke University campus on one of my overnights in N.C.) But I've been trying to get an overnight there just so I can go to class!

It wasn't easy for me. My body was saying no, but at the same time it was saying YES!

casbahdance · 12-05-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejaghana

I just took my first yoga class about 2 weeks ago. I really enjoyed it and the teacher was really hands on and awesome. I was sore for about a week. I also realized that i have no upper body strength. I haven't had a chance to go back to that particular class. (It was near the Duke University campus on one of my overnights in N.C.) But I've been trying to get an overnight there just so I can go to class!

It wasn't easy for me. My body was saying no, but at the same time it was saying YES!

That's great, ejaghana! I'm looking forward to returning to my class, too!

I've found I have pretty good flexibility in some areas, but in others, such as sitting in any cross-legged position, I'm a real mess. You know, I've never been comfortable in a cross-legged position . . . not even as a kid . . . definitely need to work on that one!

Deborah

Amaryllis · 12-06-2007, 11:48 AM

I had been resisting yoga for years. I'm the type to run in the other direction whenever I see something become too "trendy". However, this summer I found myself in and out of hospitals with the weirdest symptoms, I became very ill and was pretty much bed-ridden for about 2 months. Being in and out of hospitals and not knowing what was going on, I could feel both my body and my mind and spirit suffering. I decided to take yoga and seeing if all the hoopla was true. I am now addicted to it! Ever since I started taking classes, a few months ago, I have had energy, focus, I feel centered, calm, balance...it's awesome. And having an amazing teacher is definitely key. I can't say that I have lost all faith in western medicine, but I have lost some trust....I had everyone of my doctors tell me that yoga would be a waste of time for me and that the only thing that would help is to do more and more testing, see a therapist for my depression that stemmed from stress, and eventually put me on a treatment regiment (meaning drugs). I am soooo glad I didn't listen.

Lauren_ · 12-06-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casbahdance

That's great, ejaghana! I'm looking forward to returning to my class, too!

I've found I have pretty good flexibility in some areas, but in others, such as sitting in any cross-legged position, I'm a real mess. You know, I've never been comfortable in a cross-legged position . . . not even as a kid . . . definitely need to work on that one!

Deborah

Do your knees come up higher than waist level when you sit cross-legged? And/or your pelvis tips back, causing your lower back to round?

Are props available to you in class? I encourage my students who have this issue to sit on a block, or the verrrry front edge of a folded blanket. It helps tremendously.

*Shira* · 12-06-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amaryllis

I decided to take yoga and seeing if all the hoopla was true. I am now addicted to it! Ever since I started taking classes, a few months ago, I have had energy, focus, I feel centered, calm, balance...it's awesome. And having an amazing teacher is definitely key. I can't say that I have lost all faith in western medicine, but I have lost some trust....I had everyone of my doctors tell me that yoga would be a waste of time for me and that the only thing that would help is to do more and more testing, see a therapist for my depression that stemmed from stress, and eventually put me on a treatment regiment (meaning drugs). I am soooo glad I didn't listen.

What an amazing and inspirational story! Congratulations on being assertive enough to go ahead and try it despite what your doctors said!

The reason my yoga teacher originally started yoga years ago was that she was suffering from depression, an eating disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. In her case too, Western medicine had no solutions, so she decided to try yoga. It changed her life in a GOOD way!

casbahdance · 12-06-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Do your knees come up higher than waist level when you sit cross-legged? And/or your pelvis tips back, causing your lower back to round?

Are props available to you in class? I encourage my students who have this issue to sit on a block, or the verrrry front edge of a folded blanket. It helps tremendously.

Yes, my knees are higher than my waistline.

In this particular class, we don't use props, but we do bring a blanket for our little "quiet time" (read: "nap" for me!) at the end of class. I'll just fold up that blanket and sit at the front edge, as you suggest. I'll be much more comfy that way.

Thanks, Lauren!

Deborah