Vinyasa Yoga Adventures (for a beginner)

For the past few months, I have started taking a Power Vinyasa class at my gym.  It is a form of yoga that focuses on the breath, alignment of the body, holding poses longer and flowing from one to the next, and core work (abdominal and strength building).

When I first walked into the class, with my last Yoga experience being close to 8 years ago, I wasn’t sure if I should be there–  Vinyasa Yoga was one of the more advanced yoga classes offered.  It became obvious as I looked around, and saw three people in these positions:

Other people were doing splits up the walls, back bends, and things-I’m-not-even-sure-what-to-call-it.  It appeared as though they were crawling up the walls as and I leaned over and said to Mike, “I didn’t realize I was taking this class with Spiderman’s children”.  Then, the lights dimmed, and I was supposed to get into “Adho Muhka Svanasana”.  It was going to be an interesting class…

I’ll never forget when everyone was doing a pose where you balance on your arms, doing a split in the air:

Everyone around me was doing it (including Mike and Owen), and there was NO WAY my feet were coming off of the ground.  I tried, and they weren’t moving.

“You all got it!”, the instructor said.

(then she looks at me)

“Well, some of you…………. are close!  Keep trying, you’ll get it!”

She should’ve just said “Honey, Beginner Yoga 101 is on Saturdays at 8:00am”.

Since that first nerve-racking day, I have greatly improved my yoga practice.

I can do this:

And this:

And this:

(ok, so my leg isn’t QUITE like that)

I still can’t do a split (although sometimes I’m sweating so much I’m afraid my feet are going to slip and I’ll do a split by accident), back bends are a tad bit painful, and I still lose my balance when standing on one leg, but all-in-all I’ve been doing really well in class.

And I am proud to say, I gave up my fear of falling on my face and was finally able to do the Bakasana (Crane Pose) this past week!

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The week prior, I practiced in my living room taking face-plants into pillows I strategically placed around me. Can you blame me?

Hmmm, what pose should I work on next?

Oh, and I forgot to mention they heat the room to close to 100 degrees.  It gets HOT!