Archive for May, 2011

Tonight I was reminded of why I love taking yoga classes to end the weekend/start the week off. I needed to use the bathroom before class started and there was a sign that said “We apologize for the inconvenience but due to a building maintenance emergency there is no water.” Being the multi-tasker that I am I also had brought my water bottle with me to fill it up at the water fountain which was next to the bathroom. I approached the bathroom the same time as a guy did and I set my water bottle down and decided to venture in despite the sign. It was all good-the water worked and I even got to wash my hands. But when I walked out the guy handed me my water bottle filled up and I was so confused. He says “I know we arent married and I am not hitting on your but I thought I would fill it up while I was waiting to use the bathroom.” I thanked him and walked away still smiling in amazement. It made me think:

1. I remember when I was at that gay bar and some guy walked up to me, felt my hair and said “oh my gosh I love your hair” and kept walking. It was one of the most awesome compliments.

2. That random act of kindness totally set my mood for yoga. It reminded me that there are people out there that are genuinely nice, authentic people.

I have had a love/hate relationship over the years until I found the type of class that really works for me. When I first started O2 MAX I was taking yoga classes at night. I went about 3 months without taking yoga and my back wasnt happy with me. I realized then that it became a necessity for me (I had fractured my back and broke a few other things in a bicycle accident in 2005). Yoga helped my back and my shoulder – TREMENDOUSLY.

I  had tried a few classes here and there but yoga was yoga to me. I got a 2 week pass from YogaWorks for $30 and took about 5 classes during that time. I got to try various types of classes and really understand which ones were not for me.

I learned that I love the more athletic type of classes (vinyasa flow, power yoga, core-power yoga)  that help you work on core/upper body strength but also really get you into your hip flexors-you know the areas that get really tight from all the other crazy stuff I do all week.

Depending on my mood it usually affects me differently. There have been (many) classes where I feel like Charlotte from Sex and the City - you know the episode where she goes to get acupuncture and is trying so hard to zone out the hustle and bustle of the city and stay calm. I am constantly have to talk to myself to stop my brain from working – a problem many entrepreneurs have

Then there have been times when my body is so tired from training over the week that all I can do is try to not collapse from tiredness.

Then there are times when it leaves me feeling super strong – mentally and physically and all stretched out and rejuvenated.

Tonight may have been one of my best yoga classes to date. The mood was definitely set with the act of kindness by the random guy who filled up my water bottle. But then when we were practicing hand stands I kicked up the furthest I had ever gotten up.

And then we finished with a deep hip opener and I got VERY far down which shocked me since I had ridden 42 miles yesterday and did an intense track workout this morning.  This made me really happy not only because I saw how quickly my body was recovering and adapting but also because I am excited to share this new stretch with one my clients tomorrow. She is a synchronized swimmer and had an amazing weekend competing. We spend a lot of time working on getting her core stronger while working on flexibility and strength to help with her splits.  So I left Yoga also feeling appreciative, empowered, strong, happy, focused and more knowledgeable.  I had learned something new that I get to start my week with. Namaste.