As I had quite a stressful work day yesterday and I looked ahead to today (a court hearing--the most stressful part of my job), I realized I needed to be preventative in nature to manage stress. I needed to burn out my anxiety about the hearing before I got there, or it would be even more stressful. I knew I wouldn't be entirely stress-free, but I knew I could work to bring my stress levels down. I connected with a friend to sort out the gym schedule, and decided to get my rear end up at 5:00 so I could get to the gym by 6:15 for a yoga-like class. It is called something different, but for the purposes of today's post, we are going to call it yoga (for the locals, it is Centergy at the Rush--also for the locals, I have free passes to it so let me know if you want to join me for a class sometime).
For those who don't know me or may have forgotten, I am ANYTHING but a morning person. I have had to get up early on Saturdays all summer long for the marathon training--when it is 100 degrees out by 11:00 AM, I want to be done well before that. Since I've been getting up at 4:00 AM on Saturdays (I start at 6, those 2 hours are spent eating, packing, getting dressed and anti-chafed, and dropping coolers at various spots throughout my route), getting up at 5:00 AM today didn't seem too rough. When I saw the warm, smiling face of my instructor, I knew it was the right choice. When I left class feeling more calm and centered about the most anxiety-provoking setting I experience, I was certain I would be returning to these classes again--even if they start before the sun has come up (side note: The phrase "this hour is for the birds?" It doesn't even apply here--it was BEFORE the hour for the birds because they were not even awake yet!!). As a runner, I use the class for 2 reasons: stretching out my fatigued muscles & regaining focus on myself/my goals. Obviously pounding my feet for 20 miles on Saturday is going to be a little rough on my joints and muscles. About 40,000 strides will do a number on a body. My hip flexors and IT band have been particularly out-of-whack lately. By going to a yoga class, I can work to stretch out these muscles and continue to prepare myself mentally for the miles ahead of me this weekend, and in the race that is quickly approaching.
-It improves flexibility.
-Yoga improves strength.
-Yoga improves posture.
-It improves breathing--which as we recall from a previous post improves the ability to manage stress.
-Yoga helps to improve concentration and being "in the moment."
-Yoga helps to slow down heart rate and blood pressure, which helps to reduce risk for heart disease/heart attacks.
If you would like to read a list of the bazillion--I mean 77--benefits of yoga, feel free to check out this link.
For those who are intimidated by yoga, have no fear--just show up and give it a shot. Everybody loses their balance and all beginners have NO flexibility. I literally watched my 50-something instructor do the splits and lay her head on the ground today. I am NOWHERE near that level of flexibility--and never will be. But I will continue to work toward it anyway!!
Just for the record, I was so calm & chillaxed after class (and a 2 mile run) that I went to court, was the calmest I've ever been in court, left court and was pulled over by a police officer, and didn't even sweat or shed a tear! And yes, I got off with a warning--darn oxygen sensors keeping me from passing my state inspection....
Still taking submissions for Saturday, and reminding locals that if they want to do the T Dolla Bill/Autism 5k on September 17 or the Women's Only 5k to get signed up now!!
Namaste!!
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