A Run with Yoga

So I have been running off and on my entire life. I enjoy running. Don't ask me why, I don't think anyone that enjoys running can truly explain, and it's different for everyone. All I know is that I enjoy it.

However, I have not enjoyed yoga. Ever. Yoga to me is like running to people that don't like running. I'll do it because I've heard it's good for me, but I have yet to experience that Yogi calm.

Well, last week I told myself I should give yoga a real try. I put all my gym classes in my phone last week so I wouldn't have to second guess when they were. 

I've been running in the frigid cold weather, and I've been walking around the house like a broken octogenarian. Yesterday, it was warm enough to run again but I wasn't quite motivated. Then my phone pinged me to say yoga was starting in an hour.

Ok...this is it. I put on my typical running gear just in case I decided to blow off yoga and run, grabbed my mat, and drove to the gym. I got into the studio and, despite it being January 7, there was plenty of space and the lights were dimmed. Calm music was playing and regulars were on their mats stretching. I walked across the studio awkwardly a couple of time trying to decide if I wanted to be in the nicely darkened part of the room or stuck in the light but near the water fountain, as I forgot my water bottle. I opted to stay near the water.

Then class started. We began with the basic swan dive bend stretch, which is probably my most favorite in the world because it is easy and feels good on my runner's legs. However, we quickly started into the dreaded sun salutations.

Anyone that tells you yoga is a calming restorative practice gets to go to restorative yoga. They never teach those at the gym. So, the gym version is always calisthenics. Push ups, lunges, squats, more push ups, planks etc. There, now if you've never been to yoga, you've been introduced to all the English words.

So, we start into it. I'm never as fast as the instructor, buts that's ok. Yoga is your own practice and I'm finally getting that years after starting and quitting because I wasn't as fast as the class. I start focusing on my downward dog. The first one was so tight. Again, runner's legs. But after a couple I noticed I was melting into it.   It started to feel as good as my swan dive bend, except for the pressure on my wrists.

We continue on through the rest of the class. Warrior one and two, triangle, bridge, twists, tree, etc. Then we rest. We slowly come back to life, wiggling fingers and toes, and arise and bow to a Namaste.

I put my running shoes back on and I go home. I shower and change and do some chores. I am sore, as I should be after doing an hour and half of push ups, planks, lunges, and squats. But, I notice something. My feet don't hurt. They hurt before yoga. They've been hurting for months.  But they don't hurt now. My muscles are sore, sure, but the stiffness in my ankles and feet is gone. I woke up this morning. My feet don't hurt. I'm not walking with a stiff gait.

After only one class.

Ok, I think I'm going to have to continue this yoga thing.