In an attempt to get my health in order, I decided to resume yoga… after a long, long, long absence. I’m pretty sure it’s been over 12 years since the light in me connected with the light in anyone. I know I wasn’t married, and I was taking time to focus on mindfulness. I should have stuck with it, but there’s no time like the present to restart something I know was good for me.

There a a few things that I remember about yoga. First, the tooting. When I decided 14 or 15 years ago to try yoga, a friend (at the time) to me that when you do yoga “right”, your body frees itself, and the gas flows or blows. As a germaphobe and a person with a highly sensitive nose, the last thing I want to experience with strangers is flatulence. Still, I wanted to be so good at yoga, that I would toot with comfort, and hear toots without chuckling. Then, and now, only one of those is happening.

The other thing I remember about yoga is that it allows me to focus on what my body is doing. When I get into a pose, I find a focal point in the room, and I hold it in my sights until my entire body focuses on that focal point. I challenge myself, my stillness, my strength, my calmness until it’s time to come out of the pose. I appreciate having the chance and the ability to reduce all things, however temporarily, to a single stationary space. With all the chaos and movement and uncertainty in my world these days, yoga is a welcomed addition to my life, and the choice to engage in this mindful activity outside of my home is surprisingly enjoyable.

I have finished 2 yoga classes. Initially I planned to take 2 classes a week, but after learning how far I am from feeling comfortable in a 101 class, I’ve decided on 1 class a week, with the option for more. I try not to compare myself to the other people in the class. What I can say is that I was able to do more in my second class than I was able to do in my first class. That’s progress, and that feels good.