Posted in Health, Health Archive | Friday, February 5th, 2010
No. this is not a post about chickens that do yoga.
It’s about me.
And my fear of doing yoga in public.
It’s not a debilitating fear. Its’ more like a strong aversion to having anyone behind me while I’m doing downward facing dog. Outside of martial arts, I’ve always worked out alone…with headphones. I’ve done yoga before, but it’s either been at home alone or in a really big class (think YogaZone). I’m aware of yoga’s myriad of benefits, but I admit that I’ve been slacking off lately in the exercise department. So at the beginning of the week, I made a promise to myself to face my fear and go to a yoga class with my friend Anna. She’s invited me before, but I’ve never gone for the reasons previously mentioned.
Well yesterday I dove into the deep end of the pool folks.
I took a yoga class… in Soho.
For those of you not from New York, Soho (South of Houston St.) is an ultra-trendy part of downtown Manhattan that’s filled with fashion boutiques, spas and restaurants, not to mention modeling agencies. Rents are high and calorie counts are low. There’s always some pithy little thing running around with a yoga mat, big Gucci sunglasses and a huge Kooba bag (that she could climb into and use as shelter if necessary), with Uggs on her feet looking angry (or hungry…or both). So on a lunch break, I donned my big sunglasses (RayBans) and my big bag (LeSportsac) shoved my yoga mat under my arm and went to yoga class with my friend.
On the walk over, I was fine, relaxed even. I was totally calm in fact, (and rather proud of myself I might add) until we got there and Anna pulled back the partition to the yoga studio itself. I’ve been to classes before, and I can always hide out in the back corner…where it’s safe.
Today that wasn’t going to happen.
Along one wall of the studio was an entire wall of mirrors, and in front of the mirror were 3 people. Two students and one teacher. That’s it.
Damn.
Now there’s a few things I forgot to mention:
1. Anna is a certified yoga instructor
2. Everyone in this class (Anna included) is MUCH smaller than me. Including the french 6’1″ male teacher.
Damn.
I took a deep breath and rolled out my mat and proceed to stretch as instructed. 5 minutes later I’m staring through my legs into the mirror behind me in…
(wait for it)…downward facing dog. Now it’s REALLY obvious that I’m the biggest person in the class.
DAMN!
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and worked through the vinyasa series as best I could. And you know what? I did pretty well! After the class, my back felt GREAT, I felt like every part of my body was getting oxygen, and I felt really healthy. And I’m proud to announce I think I’ve conquered my fear of doing yoga in public.
And I learned something else…
I learned that it’s IMPOSSIBLE to hold pigeon crescent pose (which Anna can do perfectly by the way)
…while thinking about the size of your ass.
(Thank you Anna, Johan (the instructor) and the two other students in my class yesterday at Wat.)
About Savvy Brown
I believe being healthy doesn't have to be complicated, being green can be easy and being broke isn't an option!
more>>
Source: bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com via Savvy on Pinterest
/div>
humorous. insightful. informative. you are too such a writer!
lol
Congrats! Girl, you’re better than me because I would have walked right out. No, I would have never went. I do all of my workouts at home. The most I do in public is walking and I usually do that in the wee hours of the morning when I’m not seen by the masses. So you did really good!
@monie no I’m not
@SisterBoyd Thanks! Let’s see if I go back! LOL!
I love it!!! I feel like I went to the yoga studio with you. I agree it can be a bit intimidating doing yoga, especially if you have not done it in a while but of course you must remember your purpose for doing so, what ever that may be. Look I actually did my basic Taebo tape last week 2x! This is huge since I have not done Taebo since like 3 seasons ago and you know I can’t karate kick! That feeling of accomplishment is what has to keep us going back.
Keep it up Mrs. Savvy!
Good for you Tolu! Yes, that class was daunting, and like SisterBoyd said I almost walked out! But I’m going to work on my home practice for awhile and then go back in a month to see if I’ve made any progress.
Had a great belly laugh! Merci for that.
See, Yoga isn’t all that scary. The aim is to focus on YOUR own practice. Otherwise you are allowing the mind to wander in the sea of egoic thought. As for big rumps…. I’ve never see a hot and sexy FLAT ass, so shake that shakti babeeeeeeeeeee
Namaste
@Piera Awww thanks! I KNEW you’d have some positive insight. To many of us novice yogis, those classes can seem kinda scary! I WILL go back though, I’ve already promised myself.
[...] Brown presents Yoga for Chickens posted at Savvy Brown. It is a humorous look at how she conquered her fear of doing doing yoga in [...]
I truly enjoy your blog & this article. You write with a sense of relationship with your audience that comes across as natural, conversational, endearing & informative. You are an excellent writer.
I seldom exercise formally but do stay active regularly. It’s more of a challenge with my very young children, sometimes thought of as being underfoot but really just trying to be engaged and involved.
I so want to do yoga with my 5 year old daughter. She tries to work out with me – sitting on my back while I do pushups, crawling between my legs when I do yoga, copying the moves on aerobics videos when I try to workout with DVDs. She seems to enjoy the yoga the most … Any suggestions for preschool mommy & me routines, DVDs …
Your blog is very informative, so excited I found you, keep up the good work!!!! I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thanks!
You’re welcome Renne! Glad I could help!
@Annamarie I am going to check with some of my friends who are yoga instructors and get back to you.