We all own the pants, but how many of us have actually tried yoga? I went to Vinyasa yoga for the first time for a week at the UF Student Recreation Center. As someone who regularly lifts weights and is 5’11”, I did not expect my yoga experience to go very well. My inflexibility and tight muscles were not ideal for the extensive stretching that you do during yoga.
The first day was not what I had expected at all; it was not just stretching. Holding the various poses would make your muscles burn and your heart rate to go up. I even started to break a sweat. I also didn’t realize the part breathing played into yoga. Focusing on the timing of your inhaling and exhaling is important in controlling your movements, and it also helps to relax your mind. It was also pretty obvious that I have never done yoga before because each time we did a new pose I usually did it wrong or could only reach about half the distance everyone else could.
The second and third days were much easier because I knew what to expect. I started to slowly get better at the different poses by watching what all the other girls were doing. I even tested out wearing athletic shorts to one of the sessions. I wanted to see if wearing shorts would be more functional. The athletic shorts worked out just fine, but it was definitely easier to wear yoga pants because it was one less thing to focus on.
By the fourth and fifth days, I felt like I knew what I was doing. Yoga in the morning had become a routine, and it’s now my favorite way to start the day. Muscles that I didn’t even know I had are sore, especially my core. After a week, I felt more balanced and in touch with my body. I had a much less stressful week, and I think it was due to the fact that I took time out of my day to focus on myself.
I would recommend trying out yoga to anyone who is looking for a way to switch up their workout routine or wanting to find a new way to relax. This experiment really surprised me and I will continue to do yoga most likely two times per week. Even if you think you do not have the patience for yoga, give it a try first. Namaste.
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