Stretching My Body to the Outer Limits
I have tried yoga before, from videos to an actual class available for free at my college, Stetson University. However, it has been a few years since I have been involved with yoga in some form or fashion and my body probably isn’t prepared for anything like what I put it through last night.
To change up my workout routine of going to the gym and walks during the week, I decided to try out Jeweled Lotus Yoga in downtown Leesburg, a new advertiser to our magazine.
Tuesday nights at 5:15 pm are when the Vinyasa II class occurs and it is taught by Jeweled Lotus owner Kellie Adkins. Though it is a II class, Kellie told me you could come even if you are a beginner.
With my yoga mat in hand, I arrived for the class and tried to “prepare” my body for the hour and 15 minute class that was to take place. I realized immediately I had to shed my pullover jacket because the temperature was quite warm in the studios to allow your body and mind to relax during the warm conditions.
After preliminary stretches, Kellie began instructing us on the moves we were to perform and guiding us through the moves with patience and encouragement. She walked the lines of mats and people, kindly pointing out how we could change our hand, foot or body position in order to help reduce unnecessary strain on our bodies.
I was surprised to see how easy it was to remember the new moves and transition into each pose with fluid motions. There were a few times thought for each of us when we had to flap our arms like birds to steady ourselves and keep from falling into the person next to us.
Kellie worked every area of the body, from arms to legs to core, giving our bodies a chance to work hard and get toned in the process.
What I liked most about Kellie’s instruction was how she went slow enough in her directions that you could get, at some point, to the move she was describing to do. She also told us to look at what other people are doing to get an idea of what we were to do and demonstrated the more difficult moves that would require more work and confidence to get to.
By the end of the class, many of the students (including me) were surprised at what our bodies were able to do and how energized we felt at the end of the class than we did at the beginning.
As I type out this blog though, I am definitely feeling the effects of what I “encouraged” my body to do, soreness on all parts of my body. However, I’m happy I pushed my body to reach the outer limits of what I can do and look forward to what I can do for the next class.
Maybe I can get my feet over my head!
Loading ...
