Training for this half, Yoga is my go-to cross training. I love Yoga.

It can be so hard to be a beginner at yoga. First, a yoga studio definition of beginner (or most studios) is much different from say an adult ed or gym version of beginner. This is my humble opinion, not being a yoga expert and all. Porter & I had this conversation last night. Maybe it just seems that way.

Everything happens for a reason… I had an accidental, awesome, baby-step intro to yoga. Through DVD’s (ok then videos) and an adult ed class with a great instructor. Deb glided me gently through my first child poses and down-dogs. It was easy and felt great. Then some classes at a local gym (taught by Deb) was a perfect flow. A couple months later it was Bikram. Thankfully by then, between running, yoga & daily stretches, I actually could do the Bikram class. OMG, 90 minutes of hot yoga is an amazing workout.

Second, It stinks to not be good at something. At least with running, no one can really tell that you aren’t good. In a yoga class, that flexibility thing is tough. I was lucky to have a grandmother who started every day, until she couldn’t, with exercises. Into her 80’s, she got down on the floor and worked her routine. Thank you Grandma!! So my first step to fitness started with morning exercises. By the time I walked into that first class in the elementary school gym, Grandma helped me to a decent base. It worked.

A couple months ago, a friend wanted to try yoga. I was game, needed to go back… it had been a couple years. The beginner class worked but was crazy full and with this half,  I felt like if I was going to spend the time, I really wanted a challenge. So tried the higher level class. Well… Murphy’s Law… of course the class I really liked turned out to be a fill-in instructor. Oops! Back to the drawing board.

The half training is an investment. It’s easy to run 3-4x per week a couple miles. It’s a half hour or so. Running for hour and more changes your routine, at least it changes mine. It creates a new routine. It takes time, change and focus.

I’ve become (hopefully) understandably selfish with my time. A little more cautious with what I’m doing and why. It’s good, filtering the wheat from the chaff.

Yesterday I tried a new yoga class. OMG, it was perfect. Such a gift.

First, I did it! It was so hard, but really just hard enough. The instructor was perfect for me. A good instructor makes the class, any class… chemistry or yoga. She knew her stuff, shared, pushed and taught. Just what I was looking for. If only it was at a better time, but thankfully, I have flexibility in my day.

Here’s the thing… Afterward, I couldn’t stop eating! Haven’t been that hungry… ever. Hopefully I burned enough calories, want to go back next week ;).

So, now I don’t have to eat today :).