Yeah, Sure

So I've been going to the yoga class for two weeks now. Some of the poses are the same as the ones I've done on DVDs but there are many more that are new to me. In fact, some of them are new to the entire class as the instructor started a whole different sequence of poses at the first of the year. We're learning a few each class, building on what we've learned in previous weeks so as not to be too overwhelmed. She's good about going through the new moves at the beginning of class, demonstrating the poses and leading us slowly through each part so it won't be so foreign when it comes up later.

One of the new ones today was called Hopping Tree...or something like that. I was so busy trying to watch what she was doing I'm not sure I heard it right but hopping was definitely involved. The instructions went something like this:

Put all of your weight on the left foot
Lift up the right foot and put the top of the right foot up against the back of the left knee
Raise your arms overhead and put your palms together
Hop forward
Bring your hands down in front of your chest, palms still together
Move your right foot around front and over to the left side of your left shin
Push your butt back and down like you're sitting in a chair
Swing your arms back behind you, palms up
Then reverse all the moves...arms front, straighten up, foot to the back, arms up, hop backward, foot down

It was at this point that I just started laughing. Yeah, sure...I can do that. NOT! There was no hopping to be had...I was lead-footed and we're not talking about speeding. My tree was having enough trouble staying upright without the hopping anyway. And, of course, you didn't do this just once; you did it multiple times, switching legs each time.

Your curiosity is aroused at this point, I know, so go ahead...step away from the computer and try it. I'll wait on you. Patiently waiting while you fold up like a pretzel and hop on one foot. See, it wasn't easy, was it? I could mini-hop this evening trying to explain to Wayne what we'd done but I'll be darned if I could hop this morning. Fortunately, the emphasis in our class is on doing what you can do so the instructor was quick to say it was OK to skip the hop and focus on the balance and controlled moves. So I did.

I expected the class to provide me with improved strength and balance as well as the sense of calmness that comes from these rhythmic movements. The laughs in trying to get there are an unexpected bonus.

Comments

[Jude.x]

Try it!!?? I was giggling just reading the instructions - I thought "Brenda's winding us up, she didn't really do this"!! :-) It reminds me of trying out Line Dancing years ago. I could do all the moves with no problem - but try to put them together and make a dance - forget it! :-) Maybe the instructor put the hop in herself - her way of covering up that she needed to regain her balance? LOL. Jude.x

[Diane Standish]

I took a Tai Chi class in college-it was an excellent way to exercise-I also had yoga but haven't done it for years-you have prompted me to start doing some basic yoga again-I live in a rural area no classes close by-but I have a rudimentary knowledge and remember the Salute the Sun and a few others. Thanks for the reminder to start getting ready for the spring planting!!!

[Suzeyq]

I couldn't even follow the directions, much less try it! LOL! I have been told to start Yoga to strengthen my core, due to some new onset back issues. Not really my cup of tea, but I guess "hops" are in the cards!