So, the whole Getting In Shape thing is definitely a process. I mean, I didn’t expect to just wake up after the first day with a six pack and sick pipes (but that would totally be nice, if anyone knows how to make that happen). Now that it’s March, I’ve officially been at this whole exercise thing for two months and I’m actually starting to see changes. I’m more energized. I almost never feel like I’m going to throw up in the middle of my Zumba classes. I got to buy a size down in my favorite jeans. Yet even though I can feel myself getting a lot stronger, I look basically the same. Which brings me to the next part of my Fitness Journey: the pros and cons of Yoga, or, what is known lovingly and begrudgingly as the Yoga Body.
Now, I totally get why yoga pants are a thing. Looking around my Sunday morning 9:30 am Bliss Flow class taught by Lauren, I am surrounded by a sea of gorgeous butts belonging to males and females alike, all clothed wonderfully in spandex. I quickly lose track of all the beautiful butts though as I become absorbed in my own – specifically, the consistent pre-class battle of my inability to get my tukas onto my heels in child’s pose.
So this is obviously a water color and not a photo, but it’s a gorgeous representation of a relaxed child’s pose. That’s not what my child’s pose looks like – mine has a lot more shaking and swearing, usually. Photo credit here.
The great thing about yoga is that everyone involved could care less about where I’m at comparatively, because it’s honestly not a competition. My problem is my competition with myself. The really excellent thing about yoga though is that it’s super easy to harness your inner competition into an excellent work out. Which is why by 9:45 am, I’ve sweated so much that my mat has become a slip n’ slide for my downward dog and my “consciousness of breath” is making me acutely aware of how loudly I’m gasping through my nose (who even knew you could do that)?
Downward dog: a position that seems exhausting until it becomes the only pose in the entire practice with any sense of reprieve.
I shake almost constantly in most of the strength moves Lauren guides us through, and though I’ve been feeling a lot stronger lately, I still can’t keep up with all the core work and have to come out of the variations of boat pose several times.
Boat pose is intense, man.
Sweaty and exhausted by the end of the 75 minute class, we finish with savasana, and though I’m supposed to be keeping my mind blank, thoughts about perfectly perky yoga butts and how great yoga club is keep floating through my brain.
Savasana is also called corpse pose, because you lay on your back and look dead. It’s the best part of class, which makes this shirt hilariously true. I wear a medium if anyone wants to buy it for me. Hint hint wink wink.
Each class is $2, so cheap, which makes it possible for me to come a couple times a week and try different classes and it still fit perfectly in my budget. Bliss Flow is definitely my favourite because it’s an excellent workout, but I find it less intense than the rigorous and constant routine of Ashtanga. When I just want to zen out though, Yin Yoga with Christine (Wednesday at 3:30 pm, because I know you were wondering) lets me get deeper than I ever thought possible into each pose because you hold it for 3-7 minutes (ish), basically a lifetime and a half in yoga.
Lauren tells us to wiggle our toes and just like every time I come out of savansana, I get that “No mom, I don’t want to get up, let me stay here, I’m soooo comfyyyy” feeling. I seriously feel so chill after my meditation (despite it being filled with visions of butts) that I swear my voice has dropped at least half an octave since I first walked in.
Yoga club has enough classes that there’s usually something every day to fit into my schedule. As a result, I’m developing the Yoga Body – incredibly strong across the board, shockingly flexible and yet on appearance alone it seriously looks like I haven’t made much progress on my Resolution. Do I feel good? Yes. Am I addicted to yoga? Also yes. Do I look like I’ve been going to classes 3-5 times a week for two months? Well…Yoga Body. My butt looks fantastic, as does the rest of me, but I’m not looking particularly “built”. Them’s the breaks. I think I can live with it though, because every time I walk out of class I can feel myself glowing. Who even cares whether I have the buff gym bod. I wouldn’t trade all the abs in the world for how yoga makes me feel. Conventionally impressive muscles are a poor trade for the feeling of being so relaxed you’re practically floating.
Interested in joining the UBC Yoga Club? Find out more about them here!