Countdown to my 50th Birthday
Change Things Up
Try something new or change up your current routine | Day 20
Rethinking Yoga starting with a massage
Two weeks ago, I was strolling the downtown area near my house and came across the Yoga studio that has been there for quite a few years. I don’t know why but that day it stood out to me, so I stopped to chat with the ladies that work there.
It just so happened that they were having an open house and offered free mini–Thai Massages so of course I was open to the experience. But, not without first asking for more information on what exactly a Thai Massage is. I can’t remember exactly how they explained it, but it went something very similarly to the definition from WebMed.
A Thai massage is:
“a form of therapeutic touch that differs in many ways from traditional massage. Instead of a massage table, you lie on a mat on the floor while the provider manipulates your body in certain ways to stimulate organs and improve flexibility. Thai massage is part of traditional Thai medicine. Similar to Chinese medicine, it works with the body’s energetic pathways. (Benefits of Thai Message, https://www.webmd.com/balance/benefits-of-thai-massage, 07.21)
Of course, after hearing that I was really open to the experience. Why not, what did I have to lose? So, I went inside and after having extended conversations with other staff about everything under the sun I was given the best massage I have ever had!
For it to have been considered a “mini” massage it lasted for about 20 minutes. I felt so relaxed afterwards that it took me a few minutes to get up off of the floor and once I did, I was ready for another one. So naturally I inquired about the yoga center’s classes and fees because it was such a good experience that their classes had to be too.
Rethinking Yoga took classes
I am in my second week of a two-week pass that offers unlimited classes, and I am loving every minute of it. Even though I have practiced yoga at home and often incorporate it with my own exercise and stretching routine I have never considered taking classes at a center.
That is, until two weeks ago. Now I am planning on adding Yoga to my healthy lifestyle routine on a regular basis and trying to continue doing so in a classroom setting. There is nothing like being guided through a yoga practice by a skilled instructor with other people to support you through the process.
I will say that it is much more challenging at 49 years old than it would have been in my 20’s, or 30’s so I modify a lot of the movements. This is more because of my own slight physical ailments that hinder me from executing every position or holding them for long lengths of time (seconds really).
Don’t get me wrong I am grateful to be able to say that I am still pretty flexible and agile but, with slight knee discomfort and a right wrist that has been bugging me for a few weeks now. So needless to say, I am having to remind myself to pull back a little and to accept that I have to.
Try something new or change up your current routine
I wish I had chosen to take a class sooner but, I am glad that I finally decided to take a more structured approach to yoga. Sometimes starting something new or changing the way you do certain things can make all the difference in your mental and often physical body. Consider what you can start or change to enrich your life.
