And just as I was reflecting on the fact that June has been such a busy month that I have not had time to work on my #Project Going On Fifty I realized that I had in fact started something entirely new this month. Yoga Class! Well, if it is good enough for an article in the Guardian, it must be good enough for my project! Here is the link to the article I read today: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jun/21/international-yoga-day-cobra-corpse
For some reason I always thought yoga was beyond me. One thing was the philosophy, the influence of Indian gurus, the meditation, the incense and the "oms", another thing were the incredible positions often seen in photos - both of these things seemed impossibly out of reach for me.I see myself as a practical and down-to-earth Norwegian and completely out of shape - or rather shaped as a true Norwegian, big and strong - definitely more suited for skiing than for the lotus position!
In spite of living in a country obsessed with the body and with fitness, I have for many years left my body to tend to itself, more or less expecting that it will keep serving me well, just like it always has. But with mid-life came many new aches...in the body and in the soul. And so slowly, and painfully I came to realize that I needed to find some kind of exercise that I would like doing and keep on doing.
I tried going back to activities that I once enjoyed like water gymnastics and pilates, but the emphasis on fitness and looks,and the total boredom of repeating exercises with the teacher repeating: no pain - no gain, made me start and invariably, after a very short time, I would quit.
It was after my last failed attempt that I had a serious talk with myself. What could I possibly do to take care of my body and my soul? My daughter has practiced yoga for a long time, and she has told me many times to give it a try, but I have, as mentioned, always thought that it was not for me.But now I realized it was time! After a long day at work I long for peace and quiet, not for glaring lights, mirrors and loud music. On many of my walks around Rio I am looking for quiet and restful places, I look for beauty to nurture my soul, I look for nature to let my body breathe. So maybe yoga was after all worth a try? I started looking for a yoga class near me, and it didn't take long before I found it:http://www.uddiyana.com.br/index.html
The Espaço Uddiyana Yoga is small, peaceful, with soft lightening, low Indian music playing, some Indian style pictures and objects, and a teacher that talks softly and gives her instructions to each student separately. They even have a blog: http://uddiyanastudiodeyoga.blogspot.com.br/
I first went to see a class and then to take a class. I have now taken three, and to my surprise I am looking forward to every class! I got my own series of yoga positions to work on, adapted especially for my needs right now. No doubt I will struggle before I can do all the positions in this initial series, but I am confident one day I will. What I appreciate the most is the 'time out" that the class permits me to take, to concentrate on my breathing, to observe my body and its reactions, to quiet my mind...and for once not to worry.
Happy International Yoga Day!
