I am currently attending yoga classes here in Oviedo. I've never been into the whole yoga thing- it always seemed a bit boring and too relaxing for my type. Keeping in mind that cheerleading always had me at 10,000 MPH, I have always been prepared to work hard and sweat, not breathe deep and feel my chakras, or whatever. I had always heard it was good for you, your flexibility and well-being. So, I tried it about a thousand times. I tried it while attending Winona State University, again at Snap Fitness in Robbinsdale, again at free community classes in Gijon, and yet again at a hot yoga studio in Plymouth... The hot yoga studio finally got to me a bit. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the insane amount of sweat involved in stretching with a bunch of other sweaty people all at once in a 100+ degree room. On top of that, it was challenging. The instructors were dynamic and interesting- they made you push yourself and try new things. It wasn't all about relaxing in this class, it was more athletic than I had never experienced. And, most importantly, I found that it was kind to my old grandma style knees and ankles, and I was, in a way, hooked.
Upon my arrival in Oviedo I started asking around about yoga studios... I quickly found that hot yoga hadn't hit the European scene yet, but everyone kept pointing me in the same direction- Rama. A man named Rama. (I guess that his yoga name because his "real" name is, apparently, Tomas. Go figure.) A man who seems to be very well known and respected in the yoga world. And by world, I mean world. I guess he's one of the only Europeans to be trained at his level in India by real yogis. Aaaand he's in Oviedo, small world. Anyway, I haven't memorized his resume, all I know is he's well known and everyone kept telling me he was the best... So I thought I would give it a try. After my first class I couldn't walk normal for six days. I'm not exaggerating. SIX days. I know I have been that sore before, but it had been a loooong time. I guess you could say Rama knows how to kick your ass.
These yoga classes are quite interesting- it's a kind of yoga called "Astanga." I'm not educated in the world of yoga, all I know is that this involves learning a series of poses by heart. There are three series, and I'm obviously learning the first series still, as I'm only on week three. Every week you add a pose or two to your series... so you're always advancing and learning new things. It's a neat setting- everyone goes at their own pace and does their own thing. Suddenly, the instructor comes up behind you and pushes you 3x beyond what you thought your limit was and tells you the breathe. You want to smack him... but you breathe, and it helps. Then, out of the corner of your eye you see some advanced student with their legs in places you never thought they could be. It's scary imagining that my legs could be in that position someday, and perhaps not too far from today...
In the end it's nice to know there's a goal in mind- which in my mind is finishing the first series champion style and moving onto the next.
Getting to the point: On Tuesday of this week I learned one new pose to add to the introductory poses I learned during my first two weeks. I finally started to advance and was super psyched about it. Today, when I reached that final pose and somehow weaseled my way out of it, Rama said, "Okay, that's all for today." I looked back at him, wanting more, "Can I learn one more today??" I gave him my big cheesy smile...
He chuckled and smiled back as if it was the first time anyone had asked him for more yoga! "So American..." He grinned. "Yes."
We Americans... we're always so motivated!! <3
Upon my arrival in Oviedo I started asking around about yoga studios... I quickly found that hot yoga hadn't hit the European scene yet, but everyone kept pointing me in the same direction- Rama. A man named Rama. (I guess that his yoga name because his "real" name is, apparently, Tomas. Go figure.) A man who seems to be very well known and respected in the yoga world. And by world, I mean world. I guess he's one of the only Europeans to be trained at his level in India by real yogis. Aaaand he's in Oviedo, small world. Anyway, I haven't memorized his resume, all I know is he's well known and everyone kept telling me he was the best... So I thought I would give it a try. After my first class I couldn't walk normal for six days. I'm not exaggerating. SIX days. I know I have been that sore before, but it had been a loooong time. I guess you could say Rama knows how to kick your ass.
These yoga classes are quite interesting- it's a kind of yoga called "Astanga." I'm not educated in the world of yoga, all I know is that this involves learning a series of poses by heart. There are three series, and I'm obviously learning the first series still, as I'm only on week three. Every week you add a pose or two to your series... so you're always advancing and learning new things. It's a neat setting- everyone goes at their own pace and does their own thing. Suddenly, the instructor comes up behind you and pushes you 3x beyond what you thought your limit was and tells you the breathe. You want to smack him... but you breathe, and it helps. Then, out of the corner of your eye you see some advanced student with their legs in places you never thought they could be. It's scary imagining that my legs could be in that position someday, and perhaps not too far from today...
In the end it's nice to know there's a goal in mind- which in my mind is finishing the first series champion style and moving onto the next.
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| Just so you get an idea... |
He chuckled and smiled back as if it was the first time anyone had asked him for more yoga! "So American..." He grinned. "Yes."
We Americans... we're always so motivated!! <3
