One week later . . .

Finally!  I made it back to yoga class.  And not just me, but 36 other people too, 10 of whom were men.  Looks like I’m not the only one with New Year’s resolutions after all.  The room was crowded, so we piled our mats on the periphery and just used the floor.  Let’s do the math: 36 people (10 of whom were unbathed men) + 90 degree heat =  . . .

The Bow Pose (I did this today!)

Let’s just say, I wasn’t feeling so bad about my own b.o. by the end of class.

I do feel bad about (to borrow a phrase from Nora Ephron) my thighs, hips, and ass.  I know I’m chunky, but normally I don’t have to look at said chunk in the mirror for an hour.  This was humbling.

Breathing came easier today.  That’s a strange thing to write.  Breathing while stretching and contorting came easier today.  I focused on deep breaths that I slowly released.  I also focused on pushing through the stretch gently but to my limit of discomfort.  The result was loose muscles, improved circulation, and an calm outlook that I kept most of the day.  When I left the studio and walked the snowy block back to my car, the cold air felt clean and refreshing.