Today was my first yoga class ever. I had no clue what to expect and I was rather nervous about going, let alone being there in the room at the start. If it wouldn't have been for me knowing the person that was teaching the class, I probably would have been way too nervous!

It was good. It was awesome. It was relaxing. It was energizing. Right now as I write this, I really feel energized and relaxed or "chillin". It was very tough because a lot of the moves and stretches are things my limbs don't easily do. Plus I think I am still suffering from the days of my paralysis and have never fully regained a lot of that back. Balance is one thing that I have not fully regained from being paralyzed. So the balancing stuff was much more difficult.

I kept trying to focus on my breathing but there was so much going on and I was trying to figure out which arm went in which direction, that sometimes I just got caught up in the moment. I'm sure that will change as I do this more.

I probably loved the last part of the class when we went into "relaxation mode" as I call it. That was awesome to just let everything we had done become more part of us.

The lady doing the class told me that it seemed like I really took care of myself during the class. I was in a class with people that had done this for many years and so I couldn't move and stretch like they could. But I would do what I could and notice my limitations. We were encouraged to do this in the class as well.

Anyway, just one heck of a great day and this last week, has been so exciting because I have learned some mighty good things about myself.

Awwwww, the stretchings of life!

Don

Don
I have been talking and thinking about doing Yoga for some time now. How did you find a class for beginners in your area? I don't even know where to start. I hope you will continue to post your experiences and thoughts about the class. Maybe your sharing will be what I need to actually seek out and join a class.
Ron
PS - your posts about massage were great also. I can't even imagine getting a massage by a woman or a man. Maybe someday....

Ron,
A few years ago, I wouldn't have even thought of getting a massage. It was about as favorable as me going to the dentist and I have anxiety attacks going to the dentist. Anyway, through my healing I got to a point where I could try the massages and did this in conjunction with my therapist. The massage therapist and my regular therapist both knew what I was trying to accomplish which they both did everything to help me to reach those goals.

Now I am at a point where I am learning how to do massage (and if I think about how I got to this point, it really blows my mind). So it isn't something that came naturally or all at once for me. In fact like I said about the massage, I still have a hard time relaxing for it.

The yoga instructor was a lady in my class. I felt like I could trust her and so I stepped out with a lot of courage to try this. I was actually in a class where everyone else had been doing Yoga for a long time. So I was the newbie, but she helped me and let me go at my own pace. That was good because I got to take care of myself (kind of like a kid in a room full of adults). You can do a lot of the things that adults can but maybe not to the same degree. For me, I am sure meeting this person at this point in my life was not just something that was a chance, it was meant to be. Keep seeking the things out you want, and I am a firm believer that they will come to you.

Don