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I took a yoga class this morning. Only a few guys were there. Mostly women. The opposite ratio of working out in a gym, where testosterone rules. Yoga is hard: much more difficult than it looks (like surfing) .. at least, when you're a noobie like me. Old ladies were kicking my butt and making me look bad. I can't do some of the poses (called 'asanas'). It's impressive to see the pretzel-like poses many of these people can get into. I would like to be able to do that someday. I especially enjoy the atmosphere there, They turn down the lights, which sets a relaxed mood. They burn incense and play quiet, meditative music. In class, they also use a lot of foreign sanskrit words. (Yoga was invented 4,000 years ago, when sanskrit was the language of the day.) Yoga incorporates a lot of breathing techniques, called pranayama. (I do a slightly different version, called gasping.) I couldn't help but laugh out loud when the instructor said, "This asana should generate heat." Generate heat is a yoga way of saying "make you sweat your butt off". It would be like saying this man is "feeling displeased" with his computer. I always feel great when I leave (with a cup of the herb tea they make available). The people who take yoga classes are all very nice. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to tone their body (physical), or those seeking an improved sense of well-being (psychological) .. or simply in search of the world's finest spandex (aesthetic). |
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