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the ripe age of 62 and normally in my right mind, I decided to take a
yoga class at the YMCA as part of an overall fitness goal , this from a
woman who owns a refrigerator magnet claiming the wise words, " A
balanced diet is a cookie in each hand." I arrived about ten
minutes early more than a little nervous whether I would be able to get
in a single position required for the class. As I was watching
some little children learn the ropes of basic gymnastics and marveling
at the dexterity of the younger generation, I was met by a handsome
young twenty something year old man who undoubtedly worked out with
weights on a regular basis. He introduced himself as today's
instructor and said his wife usually taught but larngytis had taken her
voice. Soon after I met his lovely young wife, very slim, tall
and probably undesiring of holding a cookie in either hand. She
whispered her greeting and assured me she would come and help me out
when needed. I soon learned that I required bare feet or socks
with little bumps on the bottom to keep me from falling in some
rediculous manner, so off came the shoes and socks. I
also learned that one needs a yoga mat, a skinny version that doesn't
give much cushion but does help keep you on your feet, head, or
whatever. We started the session in the prayer pose, which
I considered very appropriate for my situation. Looking around at
my classmates, I couldn't help but notice I was the oldest one in the
class. I was quite shocked to discover I could get my body in a
lot of the positions, but it was hard work to maintain them, and my
body shook like that bowl full of jelly made famous by the Santa Claus
poem. At one point we did something called the bridge. I
was very proud of myself for doing what I perceived was impressive for
someone my age, when the dear slim girl started pointing to my abdomen
and I thought she meant for me to raise my stomach higher, so I
did. She didn't seem too pleased so I glanced around to see
that everyone else was done with the bridge and were either smiling or
laughing at me. Anyway, I thought it was prudent to laugh at me
too. I also decided I just might be brave enough to
return the next Sat. Remember you are never too old to try out
new experiences. If nothing else, it is good for a laugh, and we
all need that. God Bless!
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