March - Yoga

So a good friend of mine messaged me at the end of Feburary asking if I'd like to try a beginners yoga class (4 weeks, 4 sessions). It felt like fate. So just like that my March challenge was sorted.

The class was called Yoga with Fran, at Scarborough yoga space. The class was so welcoming and I instantly felt at home.

Image thanks to Scarborough Yoga Space

The lessons combined breath work with poses and a Savasana (shah-VAH-sah-nah or shih). I honestly loved it. I struggled with clearing my mind, but it was helpful to be more present with my thought and realise how much my thoughts were racing. It made me notice that the noise in my head. This got my to thinking that I was probably impacting my abilities to concentrate or relax. I was stuck in this choatic state. I wouldn't have been aware of this had it not been to the sessions and sharing

my experience of the savasana with my friend.

At the time I was ruminating on my recent weight gain and how I felt disconnected from my body. I had some social plans for the weekend of the second session. I was so anxious about people seeing me and feeling uncomfortable. I found that the yoga sessions really helped me to get back into my body. It helped my take control of my racing thoughts and challenge the judgement I was putting on myself. I also could feel a physical change, I felt less bloated and less tensed.

As I progressed through the sessions I definitely felt that I improved my flexibility. I could hold poses for longer and felt stronger. The breath work and mindfulness was a big challenge for me but I looked forward to the sessions every week. The session was on a Thursday and it really helped make my weekends more enjoyable and meaningful.

I especially liked Frans approach. She would often state 'there's no yoga police' which is a sentiment I resonated with. There was no wrong way to join in the session. It wasn't a test. There was no one right way. You just engaged with the elements that were right for you. A big lesson I want to take into my professional and personal life. There's no fun police!! So there's no wrong way to learn something new. Having a go at a formal yoga lesson was a fantastic experience and I loved the balance of relaxation with developing skills.