The yoga studio is still on a truncated holiday schedule, so today two classes were offered — one pilates; one all levels hatha. I went to the hatha class, and it was packed. At the start, Diane asked if anyone was completely new to yoga, so I’m assuming everyone there had done some yoga, but I didn’t recognize everyone as studio regulars. The question is, has the new years resolution crowd started piling in or was class extra full because of the shortened schedule? I don’t know.

What I do know is that come the first of the year, classes (like gyms) are going to be packed for a few weeks. Some will stick it out a week or two. Others will make it a month. Many will buy the unlimited 2 month new student “all access” pass. Most won’t use it more than a couple of weeks.

I actually like it when newbies show up. They challenge instructors to really teach to all levels. They remind students like myself of our humble beginnings. I’m not a yoga teacher, but I’ve a pretty strong teacher instinct, so I find myself really encouraging the newbies to keep it up. Sometimes one will approach me in awe of something I did in class. I remember that feeling. I share my humble beginnings with them and encourage them to keep working, reminding them that there are plenty of things I still can’t do, plenty of things that put me in their beginner shoes everyday. Sometimes these students stick with it and evolve to become studio regulars, to become my regular yoga buddies. I look forward to meeting these new friends in the new year.

My stomach is still sore from all of the core work we did in yesterday’s class. That’s a mixed blessing. It means I worked on my belly, which needed it. But, it means I didn’t breathe properly and we didn’t counter-stretch the core work enough. Usually I can really handle a tough core class, getting a great workout. Rarely am I sore after. When I am sore, I know something more than a rough workout is afoot — I may be getting sick, PMS, incomplete practice, distracted/not breathing are a few examples of what gets me into these sore places.

Today’s class was a complete practice. We did a little of everything. I focused a lot on stomach stretches like upward facing dog to stretch out my sore tummy. It feels a bit better now. I had a great camel practice, which also stretched the tum-tum while energizing me with backbending power. My full wheel was a little weak today, but I did push into it twice. And, I did get into headstand a couple of times without the wall. (Yes, the wall is still behind me for reference, but I’m thinking I’ll give it a shot mid-room on New Year’s eve to see what I can do before ‘08.)

Workout:

  • Type: Flexibility
  • Date: 12/29/2007
  • Time: 12:00:00
  • Total Time: 1:30:00.00