I’ve had back trouble for some time, especially after my motorcycle accident in 2004. My broken femur was fixed pretty well with a titanium rod in it, but my broken vertebrae and slipped disk went undiagnosed for a couple years. Systema helped a lot with my reeducation, but the pain always came back.
Yesterday I finally decided to start Yoga, and signed-up for classes at Rosemary Court in Sarasota. They have a few different styles which I reduced to two, Hatha and Iyengar. I passed on the pole and exotic exercise class and “chanting” type yogas.. I don’t care for the meditative aspect of it. It’s had enough for me to say “Ommm…” It just sounds too goofy to me. I don’t need to feel better in my head, I’m already pretty happy and content. It’s my body that needs fixing.
I started with the Iyengar class at 8:30am, ouch! Actually I was up because the heater wasn’t on and it got cold during the night, woke me up, but still, I don’t think I’ll go that early again. I didn’t know you needed a mat, but they have loaners. The room had a nice wood floor and a bunch of windows, very pleasant, not to mention Rosemary Court itself, a very cozy feeling place. I was lucky to sign-up during a promotion time, five classes for $40, unbeatable (regular price: $50). Anyway, Iyengar yoga uses props; hard foam blocks, blankets, chair (for people like me) and belts. We started with very simple poses. It’s all in the details. Good posture and stretching, breathing, using muscles you didn’t know existed. I felt my back stretching nicely, without pain. It wasn’t very hard actually, but this was a beginner’s class. Poses have weird Indian names I couldn’t even pronounce, certainly not remember, nor care to. Fortunately they have English translations. I think I’ll just try to remember the positions, who cares what they’re called.. The instructor, Susan, knew what she was talking about and gave good explanations, correcting people here and there. At the end of the class, everyone said “Namaste,” which I guess must mean something like “good day,” another goofy-to-me practice. I mean, men don’t say things like “Namaste,” do they? Oh well, I had a good time, so It’s worth having to say “Ommm” while wearing pijama pants.
I quickly made my way to the Olive Oil Company on the corner to get a hot chocolate before the next class, Hatha yoga. One thing I gathered from the first class is that you really couldn’t do it by yourself without an instructor pointing out your mistakes. I am glad I didn’t take that route and picked-up bad habits. Back to Rosemary Court for more…
Hatha yoga doesn’t use props it seems, not in the first class anyway. It is slightly more dynamic than Iyengar. You won’t get a cardio work-out, mind you, but get pleasantly warm going from one position to another. Jessica makes it look easy and also gives good explanations. Both instructors actually emphasized the same points very well, which is reassuring to me. I wouldn’t like receiving contradictory instructions. I couldn’t do a couple poses because of my back, and of course, I am as stiff as a board. I doesn’t bother me if I can’t do it all, I am working on my own stuff. Yoga will blend well with my Systema martial art where good posture is paramount to not getting taken down. Flexibility won’t hurt either. Maybe I’ll be able to kick more comfortably at hip level, instead of always aiming for the knees. It’s too dangerous to kick higher anyway. The class was a bit too short I thought, but I’ll definitely keep going to Jessica’s class as well. My back felt great, I wasn’t walking like an old man anymore, what a pleasant change!
I give Rosemary Court the two thumbs up, and thank Susan and Jessica for the good instruction. I’ll be back!
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