My First Yoga Class!

Warning for slight mention of girl-parts (I use the word uterus. Some folks can’t handle these cuss words.)

So these past few days, I feel that my life is changing. It’s pretty soon after the last time I felt like this, but I’ve come to welcome the feeling. It generally leads to awesome.

Really I shouldn’t find it surprising. My gynecologist tells me that my uterus was massive, and extremely scarred from the c-section I had to have when my daughter Refused To Exit. Add to that the fact that I’ll never be slowed by Feminine Hygiene Products again, and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off me.

Some of that weight is literal. I lost nine pounds over the course of my surgery and recovery. Partly due, no doubt, to the fact that I barely ate for a good three days, and then getting myself out of bed and to the kitchen was major and painful effort for a few days more. Much of it, though, is those bits inside me that have been removed.

For months before the surgery, when I told women what surgery I was having, I heard either “Oh, you’re so lucky!” or “best thing I ever did” in response. So far, I’m agreeing with both. I’m still a bit slowed, a bit sore, but I feel amazing and better every day. I’m eager to see what this new world of not-pain has for me.

So. Yoga. I’ve always wanted to try it, but always told myself I couldn’t afford it, and also I’d look silly. Lose some weight, get a bit better at moving first, and then…

Yeah, I’m not sure how I thought that was gonna work. Anyway. I felt the need for change, thought yoga might be a good place to start that as I’m still in recovery, and did some research. I found a place that offers a Yoga on a Budget program that’s about a mile away, and I went to my first yoga class today.

Have to say, I loved it.

I was welcomed but not overwhelmed.† The teacher kept an eye on me, encouraged me and gave me alternatives when she thought I needed them, but she didn’t call me out to the class or anything. And the fear of how ridiculous I’d look on a yoga mat? Here’s a hint, past-KD: in yoga class no one is looking at you. The teacher is checking in, but she’s watching the whole class the same way and rooting for you besides. Everyone else is in their own practice, not worried about yours.

So, dear readers, if you’re thinking yoga class is too much like PE in high school, don’t. It was really amazing, welcoming, and gentle, and I enjoyed nearly every second of it. The seconds I didn’t enjoy were when my body said “don’t do that!” As soon as I got back to somewhere safe for me and my body, we were good.

And? At the beginning of the class as we moved through stretches, the teacher said to “hug your knees.” I couldn’t get to mine. By the end of the class, though, I could. I was blown away–that much change in an hour? Awesome!

As I write, it occurs to me that I think I’m working in the opposite-to-normal direction. I’ve heard people talk about becoming grounded in their bodies, but since before the surgery when I had a little “chat” with my body telling it what we were having done and why (and don’t let me down, body, we’ve got to get through this!), I’ve been more treating my body like a good friend who’s taken care of me a long time, but now needs my attention.

Hey, if leads to KD-mind and KD-body both being healthier and more harmonized, it’s a good thing, right?

Right.

So tomorrow I’m checking out chair yoga, and then Saturday I’ll try gentle yoga. One of the on-a-budget plans gives new students two weeks of unlimited classes, and I mean to try it ALL out. 😀

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†Ever gone somewhere and EVERYONE was so delighted to see you that you vowed you’d never go back?