Recently one night, when speaking to my girlfriend over the phone, I confessed to her I had attempted some yoga that same afternoon. Hearing the news, she burst in laughter. Surprised and slightly annoyed by her reaction, I kept my calm and asked her what was it that she found so funny.
'Haha! Please don't be offended. I'm not laughing at the fact that you did it. I just can't picture you doing it'!
Now, I was confused. What couldn't she picture? The fact that I had tried some yoga poses out, in the comfort of my own room, or that I had made an attempt at yoga? Not investigating any further, I finally convinced myself that the reason why she laughed must have been for hearing out, from her own boyfriend, that he had (secretly) downloaded some fancy, yoga app on his lap top and, following on-screen, step-by-step instructions, ‘indulged’ in some solitary yoga.
Well now, I see…! If you put it that way, I thought, can't really blame the woman for laughing, can I?
Now, I was confused. What couldn't she picture? The fact that I had tried some yoga poses out, in the comfort of my own room, or that I had made an attempt at yoga? Not investigating any further, I finally convinced myself that the reason why she laughed must have been for hearing out, from her own boyfriend, that he had (secretly) downloaded some fancy, yoga app on his lap top and, following on-screen, step-by-step instructions, ‘indulged’ in some solitary yoga.
Well now, I see…! If you put it that way, I thought, can't really blame the woman for laughing, can I?
Yoga had been an appealing subject to me for quite a while. After extensive visualising and wondering how it would feel coming out of a class, and after many turned down invitations to attend one, I finally put some courage together. So, just little over a week ago I came out of my first yoga class! Dazzled and left thinking 'wow. Oh WOW. That was great!’ I realised what a big idiot I have been for avoiding yoga this long!
On a side note, the same girl who two weeks earlier had laughed at me for telling her I did DIY yoga, was now dragging me to my first class. Ahh... What irony.
On a side note, the same girl who two weeks earlier had laughed at me for telling her I did DIY yoga, was now dragging me to my first class. Ahh... What irony.
A nice and sunny Sunday morning, we walked to the gym where the class was taught. There was a dance class going on before us, and when the music inside finally stopped, the doors opened. Sweaty girls in leggings came out of the room, and blended with other not-yet-so sweaty, girls in leggings, I entered the room. Something then hit me, almost immediately. Was there anything specific that I should do, once inside? Realising it would have been helpful to know who the teacher was and where she would be sitting during class, I knew it was too late to ask now, so I panicked a little and felt completely lost for the next thirty seconds or so.
Relying on my natural human instincts, I saw what the others did and so I did the same. It looked clear that all I had to do was pick a mat in the corner and quickly rush to a ‘favourite’ spot. Having noticed that my girlfriend had already picked hers and bearing in mind our previous agreement of having to sit as far away as possible from one to another, to avoid making each other giggle, I immediately picked a spot on the other end. Total silence reigned across the room until the teacher started the class.
Relying on my natural human instincts, I saw what the others did and so I did the same. It looked clear that all I had to do was pick a mat in the corner and quickly rush to a ‘favourite’ spot. Having noticed that my girlfriend had already picked hers and bearing in mind our previous agreement of having to sit as far away as possible from one to another, to avoid making each other giggle, I immediately picked a spot on the other end. Total silence reigned across the room until the teacher started the class.
My heart beating slightly faster than normal for the first few minutes, I could feel the nervous excitement in my body. As we were instructed to lie down, back and feet on the floor and been told to relax and breathe, I realized we were already going through the first pose. Then as we went from one pose to another, I realised my body had been gradually relaxing and my heart slowing down. Always concentrating on my deep breaths and the teacher's soothing voice, I would look at her and peek around from time to time, just to make sure I was getting those Asanas right. Downward-facing dog, cobra pose, back bends, forward bends, high lunges, low lunges, staff pose, shoulder stand, inversions, all in a mixed succession… Hell, I certainly had not seen that coming!
I realised we were about to reach the end when, sitting down, we were told to rub our hands together and place them wherever we wanted on our bodies. 'Thank you for coming today' said the teacher, and for some reason I began smiling uncontrollably, and a few people in the class even clapped.
The class was about ninety minutes long, which I thought was the perfect amount of time.
Now with my socks and shoes back on, still smiling, foolishly thinking I was succeeding at being very discreet, I then tried approaching the teacher (whose name, I had learnt, was Emma), thinking I should say something to her. A flattering 'wow Emma. You're amazingly fit! Ah yes, I also really enjoyed your class by the way', or perhaps a more conservative line, maybe expressing what a great teacher I thought she really was? I was confused. So I walked away, only to approach her again and walk away, and approach her again for a third time. Finally glancing at me for a good amount of seconds, as she was getting her things, I am sure I was now coming across as a big weirdo. Not really caring whether I looked like one to her or not, in the end I was too shy to say anything at all, so decided to leave. My self-esteem slightly lowered, I launched a smile at my girlfriend, who too was smiling and had witnessed to the whole scene. Walking out of the room and outside the building with sunrays hitting my face, I noticed I could not yet stop smiling.
I realised we were about to reach the end when, sitting down, we were told to rub our hands together and place them wherever we wanted on our bodies. 'Thank you for coming today' said the teacher, and for some reason I began smiling uncontrollably, and a few people in the class even clapped.
The class was about ninety minutes long, which I thought was the perfect amount of time.
Now with my socks and shoes back on, still smiling, foolishly thinking I was succeeding at being very discreet, I then tried approaching the teacher (whose name, I had learnt, was Emma), thinking I should say something to her. A flattering 'wow Emma. You're amazingly fit! Ah yes, I also really enjoyed your class by the way', or perhaps a more conservative line, maybe expressing what a great teacher I thought she really was? I was confused. So I walked away, only to approach her again and walk away, and approach her again for a third time. Finally glancing at me for a good amount of seconds, as she was getting her things, I am sure I was now coming across as a big weirdo. Not really caring whether I looked like one to her or not, in the end I was too shy to say anything at all, so decided to leave. My self-esteem slightly lowered, I launched a smile at my girlfriend, who too was smiling and had witnessed to the whole scene. Walking out of the room and outside the building with sunrays hitting my face, I noticed I could not yet stop smiling.
Unlike before, I now don’t see yoga as daunting. However, I can assure you I was mistaken on a few things.
Prejudice number one: yoga is a women’s thing, not so much for men. False!
Prejudice number one: yoga is a women’s thing, not so much for men. False!
There is no denying that you see more women than men around doing it. And in reference to my experience, I won’t hide that making one of the three males, out of the twenty-five students in the whole class did make me feel kind of proud, perhaps even special. But yoga certainly isn’t a women’s thing and that’s the wrong thing to assume. The male attendees are clearly on the rise. So speaking to you males out there, don’t be afraid if you make only ‘that’ very small percentage. Go enjoy being surrounded by women.
Prejudice two: yoga is a light activity and can be done by anyone. Truth is, that is not entirely the case!
Yes, I do believe yoga can be done by anyone, male of female, young or old, but consider what level your body is at, before putting yourself out there.
I attended an intermediate-advanced class and it wasn’t as easy as I had expected or even imagined. I felt my body could cope, though. Speaking as a reasonably fit male in his early twenties, who does fitness, jogging and cycling regularly, I can confidently say that my current level of fitness has certainly helped. I am not sure how convenient it would be for someone who hasn’t exercised in a while, to go straight to an intermediate-advanced class. So if you belong to the ‘couch potato’ category and think you can start by attending any class level, re-think. I suggest a beginners’ class would be a smarter choice. If, on the other hand, you are already fit enough and believe that your body can handle it, then certainly go for it! Should you be into fitness and the subject of ‘balancing mind, body and spirit’, and feel like you might need to stretch and gain some flexibility like me, then I believe yoga might just be the thing for you!
It’s fun. It’s challenging. It’s liberating. And ultimately brings important benefits to your overall health.
Yes, I do believe yoga can be done by anyone, male of female, young or old, but consider what level your body is at, before putting yourself out there.
I attended an intermediate-advanced class and it wasn’t as easy as I had expected or even imagined. I felt my body could cope, though. Speaking as a reasonably fit male in his early twenties, who does fitness, jogging and cycling regularly, I can confidently say that my current level of fitness has certainly helped. I am not sure how convenient it would be for someone who hasn’t exercised in a while, to go straight to an intermediate-advanced class. So if you belong to the ‘couch potato’ category and think you can start by attending any class level, re-think. I suggest a beginners’ class would be a smarter choice. If, on the other hand, you are already fit enough and believe that your body can handle it, then certainly go for it! Should you be into fitness and the subject of ‘balancing mind, body and spirit’, and feel like you might need to stretch and gain some flexibility like me, then I believe yoga might just be the thing for you!
It’s fun. It’s challenging. It’s liberating. And ultimately brings important benefits to your overall health.
I can finally say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my first yoga class and am now planning on making this a habitual routine, which is why I have booked my second class for next week. Thumbs up!
