For the past few months, I’ve seen a yoga class on my office gym’s class schedule. The description gave no details other than that three days per week there is an hour long yoga class offered downstairs. I asked a few co-workers and received very mixed or negative reviews. Many stated that it was merely okay. Until today I have let those reviews sway my decision and keep me from finding some solace during a busy workday by practicing my down dogs and flow series during lunch.
As my training schedule called for yoga today, I figured that I was far more likely to make it to the yoga class in our office than one outside the office based on my work schedule. This morning I threw my workout clothes in my purse and blocked off my lunch hour with a private “yoga” meeting. The knot in my shoulder and my sore legs were looking forward to the workout. In my mind however I dismissed the class. I managed my expectations by telling myself that it wouldn’t be a good class. The only way I convinced myself to leave my desk at 12:15 was by convincing myself that if nothing else, it would at least force me to spend an hour stretching and relaxing my mind.
What I didn’t expect was to leave the class inspired and excited. The class was led by a very friendly teacher sporting an American amount of Lululemon (headband, tank, crops) who instructed us in English with a French accent. She walked around the room constantly, adjusting us and reminding us that this was our hour of the day. The two men and thirteen of us women spent the hour in silence save for our closing chant. There was no magical inversion moment or a pose that felt perfect. Instead it was an hour of peace as I found my center on the mat, focusing on nothing except my breath and my body’s responses as I moved through the flow.
Today’s yoga experience was a great reminder that every workout is a personal experience. There is no perfect class for anyone hence the reason there are so many options. I regret letting 8 months pass before I gave the yoga class a try. Now I am making it a personal goal to squeeze in at least one of the three weekly yoga classes.
