By: Macaila Britton
I’m going to admit it, when I started yoga I sucked. I fell out of poses faster than I could get into them and I even fell asleep in savassana during a class. I know, I wasn’t exactly up for “yogi of the year”. At one point or another we have found ourselves thinking of anything other than the current yoga sequence. I remember when I first discovered yoga, I could not wrap my head around why people enjoyed this or how they found yoga to be relaxing. The past few weeks I have spent time thinking about my yoga journey and how I fell in love with yoga. Believe me, it didn’t happen overnight. These were a few of the things I thought of when I first started practicing.
1. This Is Going To Be So Easy
Downward Dog? That’s a pose, really? If it’s named after a cute fluffy animal, I can totally do it. Yeah, not so much. Yoga really twists, turns and stretches the body.
2. I Don’t Need a Block
Pft! Blocks are for amatures who can’t touch their toes. I’ve got this. After all, I was the best in my gymnastics class when I was a kid!
3. What the heck is savassana?
Oh, a nap- okay, I’ve got this. I can take a break now.
4. This Teacher Hates Me
Why is everything shaking and burning? Who knew someone could work those many muscles at once?! I swear s/he knows I’m struggling and is making it worse for me.
5. What’s With The Chanting?
Do I join in? How are they saying it so perfectly in synch? Wow, it’s really calming though. I should probably pay attention to what they’re saying now…
6. Is It Over? Can I Go Home?
What do you mean it’s only been 10 minutes?!?! The clock must be broken. I swear we’ve been at this for ages.
7. Am I Doing This “Yoga Thing” Right?!
I used to look around the room what seemed like a million times a minute. I was determined to perfect every single pose and mirror my peers. Turns out, I was doing everything right and didn’t need to worry about looking like everyone else. They could care less about me because they’re focusing on themselves.
8. Oh Gosh, Gas.
Maybe eating a burrito before class wasn’t the best idea..
9. Crap. I should Have Grabbed A Prop
Okay, they aren’t horrible. Props are actually really helpful. I’ll pretend I never thought they were lame.
10. Yoga Isn’t That Bad
After all the sweat, looking around, watching the clock and suppressing a few tears, I’d take another class. Who knew all these poses could make me feel like a supermodel?
New to yoga or want to share your journey? I would love to hear if we shared the same thoughts/ feelings!