Now, I know what you're thinking, but slow your roll.
I hear this one almost as often as this priceless gem, "I would do Yoga, but I'm not flexible." Both of these statements usually lead me to an immediate *facepalm* and a crocodile snarl.
I totally get where you're coming from here. I understand this stereotype--however silly it may be--and having this perception doesn't mean that I'm not going to woo you over to the Yoga side. Oh, I will.
Let me paint the picture I know you're seeing.
A room full of people curled up like pretzels on their mats, eyes closed, silently meditating. There are whispery babbling brook sounds playing over a slow drum beat and chanting that you are convinced is gibberish. Your teacher insists that you silence your mind in her "Yoga voice." Your nose itches but you're afraid to unwind yourself from your "Twisted Tied-Up Bound & Gagged Pose," as you will surely cause a commotion. You can hear the teacher's slightly sweaty feet pad around you. You've been holding in a fart for 20 minutes. This is your nightmare.
I get it. This sounds awful to me! But that's because this is not the kind of Yoga for us. Yoga isn't the class--Yoga is what you are doing. It's the moves, it's the mindset, DARE I SAY: it's the moment. (Cue the Tibetan Throat Singers!) Everyone does Yoga a little differently which is what makes it so pliable to your needs. For real, this is what makes Yoga awesome. Even if we go through a quick Google search of "types of Yoga," we can find several different outlets for you to take a gander at...some of which I do promise are not like the class described above.
Ananda, Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Hot Yoga, Integral, Iyengar, Kundalini, Power, Restorative, Sivananda, Svaroopa, Viniyoga, Vinyasa, Yin....
Now if you're a little frightened by the fact that some of those words are completely foreign to you, do not fret! There are also classes that us teachers are trying to create specifically for YOU:
YOGA FOR:
Athletes, Recovery, Runners, Seniors, Swimmers, Skiers, Movers & Shakers, Cyclists, Teens, New Moms, Wee babes, Mimes, Olympic Weight Lifters, Fast People, Slow People, Shape-Shifters...even classes for smart*sses that want to crack a joke and get a good stretch.
So here's your Yoga-Homework:
Just trust me on this one: if you can commit to trying out, say 5 completely different types of classes, (no time limit, just make sure you don't drop Yoga for years at a time and forget the purpose of the assignment!), I swear to you that you'll find a class to spark your interest. You'll surely find a one of the following:
1) A moment where a pose/stretch clicks in your brain.
2) A teacher that you understand...or better you, a teacher that understands you!
3) Moving through the class flow, you'll be gifted with a moment to truly LAUGH at yourself and let go of your nonsense.
4) During Savansana--the magic dreamy goodness at the end--you actually relax your body and maybe even put your mental "to-do list" aside for just a few breaths.
5) You feel damn good.
My class may not be forever everyone, but I know it's for some of you. Just like a saucy Kundalini class might be for you OR a super precise Inyengar class is just what you're looking for! Just promise me that you'll look a lil' bit deeper. I pinky swear: Yoga in NOT boring.
Get it.
Rachel
