Day 39 Without Anxiety
Yoga Class
What's The Challenge?
Attend a group Yoga Class.
Why The Anxiety?
Let's see, bending into different positions in a room full of strangers, (sounds fun) wearing something that won't make my boobs fly all over the place, or clap but that doesn't show sweat patches, trying to keep my balance and not fart (I've heard it happens in palates and Yoga). Safe to say I'm scared, I'd much rather stay at home and practice yoga somewhere in my house, but I don't have much room, we're redecorating and the animals are forever interrupting me (and one of the cats goes psycho and attacks me every time, I don't know why!?). I've noticed that when I'm anxious I also become a perfectionist and I'm worried I won't be able to do the poses, that I'll make a fool of myself, be unable to keep my balance, fall and everyone will laugh at me. If you're thinking I'm a bit of a pessimist right now, fasten your seatbelts because that's pretty mellow worrying for someone with anxiety.
Anxiety before? 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕
I was so tired when I woke up, who's idea was it to do a Yoga class so early? (the class starts at 10am, don't judge me) Does anyone else's anxiety differ depending on how tired they are? When I'm a little tired, I'm super on edge and irritable because I'm worried if something happens I won't be alert enough to defend myself or someone else (welcome aboard the pessimism train) then when I reach a certain level of tiredness aka exhaustion, a flip switches and I could not care what happens, I'm barely awake enough for the task at hand, let alone worrying about every worst-case scenario.
I started the morning being too tired to care but as I was getting ready, I woke up more (logical) leggings on, Yoga mat in hand ready to go, the anxiety washed over me like a morning wave over the fresh sandy shore (where did this imagery come from? I think I want a holiday, or at least some vitamin sea). All the littlest worries about farting, faceplanting, and a boob falling out of my sports bra (physically impossible by the way, have you tried on a sports bra? they're as tight as corsets).
I started the morning being too tired to care but as I was getting ready, I woke up more (logical) leggings on, Yoga mat in hand ready to go, the anxiety washed over me like a morning wave over the fresh sandy shore (where did this imagery come from? I think I want a holiday, or at least some vitamin sea). All the littlest worries about farting, faceplanting, and a boob falling out of my sports bra (physically impossible by the way, have you tried on a sports bra? they're as tight as corsets).
Anxiety During? 🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
You know you hear at all that yoga and meditation Jargon from doctors, health professionals and influencers trying to sell you their latest book, DVD or merch, well they may actually have a point. (no, no, I'm not selling you anything, please bear with me, and read on)
Sure, I've done Yoga at home before, but I'm not Yogi know it all, I arrived before the class with a friend, we set up our mats early and did some stretches before the class started. As people trickled in placing their mats down, I started to get nervous. (forever thankful to my good friends who help me out, and support me), I felt like my friend could tell so she started telling me about the latest adventure she had had and reassured me (what did I tell you, top person right there), and sure enough as class started I felt calm enough to continue.
The Class and Instructor Clare (@clare_sunfloweryoga) were very welcoming and relaxing, I found that as soon as I started stretching and doing poses I was a lot more comfortable. I realised halfway through the class that I was concentrating so much on the poses and breathing, I didn't have time to worry about if anyone was looking at me or jump to worst case scenarios, I also realised that everyone else was in the same boat. If I was so focused on my movement and breathing, surely everyone else was too (they were). I was grateful for the ease of pace and helpful tips Clare gave to us along the way, explaining each movement, transition and correcting our poses gently if and when we needed help. By the end of the class, my body felt relaxed and energized, my mind was also pretty happy, enough to stay behind and have some post Yoga tea and chat (who am I? a new confident person, Yoga works).
Sure, I've done Yoga at home before, but I'm not Yogi know it all, I arrived before the class with a friend, we set up our mats early and did some stretches before the class started. As people trickled in placing their mats down, I started to get nervous. (forever thankful to my good friends who help me out, and support me), I felt like my friend could tell so she started telling me about the latest adventure she had had and reassured me (what did I tell you, top person right there), and sure enough as class started I felt calm enough to continue.
The Class and Instructor Clare (@clare_sunfloweryoga) were very welcoming and relaxing, I found that as soon as I started stretching and doing poses I was a lot more comfortable. I realised halfway through the class that I was concentrating so much on the poses and breathing, I didn't have time to worry about if anyone was looking at me or jump to worst case scenarios, I also realised that everyone else was in the same boat. If I was so focused on my movement and breathing, surely everyone else was too (they were). I was grateful for the ease of pace and helpful tips Clare gave to us along the way, explaining each movement, transition and correcting our poses gently if and when we needed help. By the end of the class, my body felt relaxed and energized, my mind was also pretty happy, enough to stay behind and have some post Yoga tea and chat (who am I? a new confident person, Yoga works).
Anxiety After?🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
If I wasn't so relaxed I think I would have punched the air with enthusiasm, I completed another challenge, I stood in some random poses in a room full of strangers for around an hour and survived. I didn't fart thank goodness, nor did I trip, slip, fall, get sweat patches or have a wardrobe malfunction and no one laughed at me. I feel pretty amazing actually and I'm ready to go again next week.
Update?
I continued attending Yoga sessions and completed the six-week summer course, I was too busy and unwell to attend the next installment of classes but a new set of classes has been released for January and I will be attending, yoga mat in hand and ready to stretch, I just have to wake up on time.
I highly recommend Yoga to anyone, whether anxious/depressed or not, it's a great way to unwind relax and energize. The sport is not just for women either there were quite a few males in attendance at the classes and people of all ages. Have a look around and see which Yoga classes may suit you best. I personally recommend Clare (@clare_sunfloweryoga), she's a fab teacher and her one-on-one tutoring is just as good as her classes.
If you have any Challenge Ideas; Please comment down below and let me know.
Thanks for Reading
xo
Enjoy Day 39? Why not Read Day 38?
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