Learning a new game

Took a break from exploring yoga to focus on learning something else new, a game called "zoo". My grad study group and I played in the library. They had to remind us to quiet down, oops ;).  I guess I need to work on my hand-eye coordination.

Let's Try This Again

When I went to the gentle yoga class on Monday I discovered that they had discontinued the class THAT DAY. Talk about karma for my procrastination. 

So now on to plan 2. I searched restorative yoga classes in Sacramento. Not as easy as it sounds. Turns out there aren't that many, although having now gone to my first class I can't imagine why (more on that in a bit).  Given that I work during the day, have classes 2 nights a week, 2 school aged daughters, and a wonderful husband who needs at least a little of my time and attention finding a class was quite a challenge, but I did it!

Just finished my first class and the jury's still out on if it will help with my frozen shoulder, but it was awesome anyway. The class lasted an hour and a half and we did 3 poses with props. Lots of props. It was like guided community nap time. I'm a huge fan of the nap and each pose was more comfortable than the next. Judging from the gentle snoring I heard from others I wasn't the only one who felt that way. 

It was quiet and peaceful and although I was made aware of many aches and tightness when I first got in each pose, they would gradually ease and I was just so relaxed. If I had the time, flexible schedule, and of course money, I would do this all the time!  Yoga is expensive!

The other thing I started to reflect on is that maybe I should be exploring meditation instead of yoga. My brain never turned off (except for maybe that brief period where I drifted off just a bit😌).  No matter what I did my brain was going. I thought about being in the class, if my pose was correct, what I was going to write in this blog post, ect...

I'm going back to try a few more classes. Maybe one that is a little more active, but I definitely want to do restorative again!  Then I'll see. 

You can't tell from the outside, but it was very peaceful and tranquil, just like you would imagine a yoga studio to be. 

Stay tuned for further adventure and thanks for sharing the experience with me. 

Day One of the Adventure

About two years ago I injured my left arm and now have a frozen shoulder. This makes it so that I have extremely limited range of motion and very little strength. I've been to doctors and physical therapist, had Cortizone shots and lots of exercises to do. It all helps a little, but I still don't have full use of my arm :(. 

Last year my amazing best friend, Elizabeth, suggest gentle, or restorative yoga. Now, one year later (can you tell I'm a procrastinator?) I'm ready to explore yoga and see if it helps. Fingers crossed. 

Here are the tools of the trade (I think!), yoga mat and water bottle to stay hydrated. 

Tonight I'm going to my first gentle yoga class. I'll keep you posted.