YOGA MAMA

About 10 years ago, I was a student living in Boulder, Colorado. I was of many gals still stuck in the 80’s dictates of kick your ass on the treadmill and eat no fat, lest you become a flabby pig.

While facing work-out burn-out, I had become intrigued by a woman who I never saw doing time on “The Mill”, but who I did spy doing a daily yoga class. She looked like she was in her late 30’s, had the most beautiful body (lean, sculpted but still plenty of womanly curve), long, lustrous, jet-black hair, and a smooth olive complexion.

Finally, I thought, what the hell, if this goddess does yoga and looks the way she does, maybe it is worth a try. Two days later, I plopped myself down on a mat to attempt my first Downward Dog.

I admit, I was unimpressed with the class, and more than a little annoyed that I had foregone my calorie-crusher workout for an hour of deep breathing and poses that lingered a bit too long.

Who cares about “alignment”? I thought. I just want to rock out to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun “ and sweat my ass off!

As I was getting into my car after class, the beautiful woman I had admired called out to me, “I am so glad you decided to take the yoga class, did you enjoy your practice?”

So I told her the truth, “actually, I frickin hated it. Now get away from me you gorgeous freak of nature.” No, of course I lied and gushed about how wonderful it was, how yoga is so transforming, blah blah, blah.

“That is fantastic!”, she gushed. “I always think to myself, now that young lady has such a strong, lovely body, but she is always working so hard. If she just let herself relax, she could see her own beauty more clearly. By the way, my name is Evelyn. I’ll see you in yoga tomorrow!”

That was the entire exchange – she left me standing there a little confused, quite flattered (a non-lesbian giving another woman a compliment??? Super-rare occurence), and angry at myself for getting roped into another dull class.

But two amazing things happened. First, I woke up the next morning feeling like I’d been run over by a Mack truck. The deep muscles in my waist, thighs and shoulders ached in a way my traditional workout had never reached, no matter how many crunches I did.

The second minor miracle was that when I went back to yoga a few days later, I found I could focus on the way my body was moving without being distracted by what I else I could be doing, or how much faster I could be working.

I am not going to tell you I have become some sort of yogi master. I am not even close. And, I still pump some iron and enjoy a long, sweaty run.

But yoga has taught me about the importance of maintaining balance in my body and in my life. It has given me permission to slow down once in a while and just savor the moment.

Despite my non-yoga master status, I also can tell you hat some of the most beautiful bodies you will ever see congregate in yoga studios. I am talking about healthy bodies – women and men who glow, and are supple and toned.

A good diet? I am sure, but trust me when I tell you yoga can do wonders for your insides and your outside.

Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing I learned after meeting Evelyn. She wasn’t thirty, she was fifty! That’s right five – O. After she proudly disclosed this amazing factoid, I ran to call the Guinness Book. Then I busted my ass to the yoga studio for an unlimited, lifetime pass.

Just in case you need even more motivation to give yoga a try (you couldn’t possibly, I KNOW the fifty-years-old story got you):

1. ADORABLE clothes. I love this stuff because it is not tourniquet tight, butt-crack splitting workout lycra. Instead, yoga clothes are curve skimming – flattering, yet loose enough to allow free movement.

2. HOT yoga mats. Mats come in all kinds of cute colors ranging from basic blue to hot pink (mine) to black with neon lotus flowers. Oh, and the mat -bags are to die for…..

3. SPA excuse. Since yoga makes one quite intimate with their toes, you NEED a pretty manicure.

Yoga offers a great opportunity to get in touch with yourself at your own pace. In all the classes I’ve taken I have never experienced a competitive vibe. You can check out a class at your gym or grab a DVD and chill out in your living room. It is really all about finding what you need, which can be different on any given day.

And oh yeah, a chance to look two decades younger.

Go Yoga Fox!!!

Love,
Health Sundae

Technorati Tags: yoga, yoga master