start doing yoga again

I haven’t been able to go for the last few weeks, and it was a relief to go again. I have found that although I have lost some of my flexibility, I am much more body aware than I used to be.

And and and… I caught myself feeling very pleased with my thigh muscles as they helped me pull into a difficult position. I honestly think that is the first time I have ever actually liked my thighs.

The last lesson I went to, I arrived feeling a bit down because my muscles were very achy from a 10-mile walk I had done a few days before. I’d tried everything—rest, exercise, relaxing, massage and nothing worked. But halfway through the lesson, we did a pose that opened everything up and stretched out the aches. It was such a relief.

At last week’s lesson I got a fiver in my change. It had ‘Quit your job written on it.’ I didn’t, because I love my job. But it made me smile. I gave it to my osteopath. I hope he doesn’t quit his job.

...and I think I liked it.

I felt a bit worried about going, but I needn’t have been.

It was mostly women (just one man) because the football was on. Everyone was very chilled and no-one was glancing round competitively, and no-one was taking it too seriously. It wasn’t too crowded; and although we worked hard it was good fun.

And my purple mat was fine—lots of other people had ones just like it.

I have decided that when I have been for eight weeks in a row I will have achieved this goal.

Bought the yoga mat—found one in Boots. It’s purple. I’d rather have had a blue one, because this purple is a bit clashy. Still, it’s very cheering, so I hope I enjoy using it all the same.

I have discovered that Boots the Chemists sells a yoga mat, so I’m going to buy one today.

I can’t make the class tomorrow, however, as I have to go to a writers’ meeting.

I want to do yoga because every time I go to get my back sorted out, they tell me I need to be more flexible. And I say ‘yeah yeah, I’ll take up yoga again.’

But I never do.

Now I am going to. I have found a yoga class about 500m from home. I am going to buy a yoga mat this weekend. And I’m going to go to the next class.