Taking it slow

Pre-workout eats: Peanut Butter-Banana Oatmeal Muffin (make these!) and a banana
Workout: Slow Flow yoga class, ~60 minutes.

I was really hoping not to sweat.

I wasn't hoping to display great balance or flexibility or strength in poses. I wasn't hoping that I would make it 60 minutes without embarrassing myself. I wasn't hoping to challenge myself. I just didn't want to sweat.

My first class at the yoga studio downtown with my Groupon was from 9 to 10 a.m. and from there it would be straight to work. Sweat = Make Co-Workers Mad.

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This is Dream Yoga Kim.

I walked into the studio at 8:45 a.m. , feeling a bit late and unsure - I wasn't certain I could actually take the class as I hadn't registered. My anxiety seemed to melt a bit as I was greeted by the owner, who would also teach the class. She had the voice of a yoga teacher and was welcoming me to the studio and the practice. She inquired about the holidays, my history with yoga and then gave me the rundown of the place - all with a warm glow about her. I was happy to learn that there were lockers for purses, blocks and mats available and a bathroom. I can always use the bathroom.

I set up my mat, went to the bathroom (see, I told you) and sat down. My eyes darted around the room, checking out the hip decor (tin roof, calming colors, big windows) and "sizing up" the class. There were some ladies older than myself. I decided they were stay-at-home moms and retirees. There were some gals younger than myself. I decided they were college kids home at break. There was a woman who reminded me of Natalie Portman except prettier. I decided that she made me jealous.

But I soon had to push that side as it was time for class to start. This was Slow Flow, "a slower paced vinyasa practice that allows for alignment principals and breath synchronized movements with deep hip openers. Helps increase strength and flexibility. " We started lying down, connecting to the breath before moving into salutations, which included lunges, warrior poses, chatarungas and downward-facing dogs.

I was surprised throughout the class that I didn't feel lost. The poses were all things that I had see at least once if not many times before. I was even more surprised (and grateful) that I didn't have any corrections from the instructor. Go me!

What did surprise me was just how "tight" I felt. My hips felt like toffee rather than taffy and forward bends were more like "bend your knees and hope your fingers brush the floor." I think these 10 days should help with that and, God willing, maybe even help with the running.