YOGA PRACTICE POINTERS

Lessons Learned: go to the bathroom first, silence the phones, bring water!

I should have learned this long ago, but even if it makes me a few seconds late getting my mat unrolled and my mind ready — I MUST go the the bathroom before class starts. I always have a cup of coffee at home, and usually another at the gym. I have had to leave class at least a couple of times, but that’s not good and not necessary — if I just remember to stop in the locker room before class!

There was a guy on the mat right next to mine. The dial on his watch kept turning green and buzzing. But that probably distracted only him — and me. Actually, it kinda tickled me — can’t say why. On other days, in other classes, I’ve notice that cell phones start to make their funny little songs or sequences of noises to signal: “you have a text message” or “call is in-coming!”

Even though yoga is not cardio per-se, I still get very warm (and even sweaty) as I try to achieve and maintain the sometimes difficult (for me) poses — and to complete the demanding sequence of moves! Even though I love down-dog and happy-baby and child’s pose, I get really thirsty. And it’s so easy to stop at the water fountain, and fill up the bottle on my way into the studio.