Yoga: Level Two

[fajrdrako]

I started yoga classes, level 2, at Iyengar Yoga today. They have a beautiful new place on Bronson Ave. Clean hardwood floors, large sunny windows, decorated with a few simple flowers, an orchid, and a couple of photographs of B.K.S. Iyengar, who is an inspiration to us all.

Level Two. I'm in Level Two. Scary.

I knew two of the women there, who were in the Level One class with me. Mary and Betty. It was... reassuring... to see familiar faces, especially when the teacher was new to me. Kathy. She seems excellent.

But... Level Two.

I had one terrible moment of wanting to run away. But then there I was, doing a handstand against the wall, and you know - if felt good. It felt like an accomplishment. We did it three times. By the third time my wrists were shaking, but I was feeling confident about doing it.

The rest of the class, after that, was just coasting.

And afterwards... I felt terrific. I felt as if I'd just had a two-hour massage, every muscle relaxed and tingling.

Comments

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

I started yoga classes, level 2, at Iyengar Yoga today. They have a beautiful new place on Bronson Ave. Clean hardwood floors, large sunny windows, decorated with a few simple flowers, an orchid, and a couple of photographs of B.K.S. Iyengar, who is an inspiration to us all.

It sounds utterly lovely! Wonderful. How far a walk is it...?

Level Two. I'm in Level Two. Scary.

Aww... it'll be all right, you'll get used to it. You are at your level -- you are Level Two!

I had one terrible moment of wanting to run away. But then there I was, doing a handstand against the wall, and you know - if felt good. It felt like an accomplishment. We did it three times. By the third time my wrists were shaking, but I was feeling confident about doing it.

O, excellent! Yes, it does feel good to perform at your physical capacity... this is how it feels to play a hard game of basketball, to wallop a softball into the corner of the outfield and make it to third base standing up. You are an athlete [g].

The rest of the class, after that, was just coasting.

Of course. You're the one -- you swing right along! [g]

And afterwards... I felt terrific. I felt as if I'd just had a two-hour massage, every muscle relaxed and tingling.

Exactly. Physical exertion, performing at your own personal height of ability, can be utterly wonderful. (And you don't have to be able to spike a volleyball to be eligible to feel that, either. Good for you!)

I hope the rest of the classes are equally exhilarating.

(And don't be concerned about the wanting to run away bit -- that's natural, too. Being intimidated by the task, then facing it anyway, and performing at your best -- that's the part that's uniquely exhilarating.)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's probably about a ten or fifteen-minute walk from my place. It's near the corner of Bronson and Carling.

I don't imagine I'll ever try baseball, but I like your analogy!

I want to go to a yoga class again tomorrow but I'm not sure whether to take the Level 1 or Level 2 class... Level 1 is at a more convenient time. I'll see how I feel tomorrow.