Yoga. A Love Story

If you asked me one year ago from all physical activities which one I’d dismiss, I’d have responded yoga. Firstly, I reckon that to be able to fully grasp Eastern practices you actually have to live, at least for a while, in a country of origin. Secondly, I felt I was to tall and clumsy for something requiring high levels of flexibility and balance.

Yet, life left me few possibilities.

After months of straining with running, cycling and grit workouts, my knees started to scream for help. I was forced to stop and soothe my sensitive self with HI-RICE (Hydration, Ibuprofen, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

My physician was concise: reduce high impact, increase balance and strengthen your ligaments.

I evaluated my options. It was a Friday afternoon. I booked a Yoga class and creeped to my local gym, begging for incentives.

The first came under the shape of the most kind, modest and gorgeous trainer a girl in distress can hope for. Okay, that is a rather personal incentive.

The second came under the shape of a series of objective benefits which I’ll unroll in the following.

#know thyself

First thing you notice after only few yoga classes is that asanas are the best reflection of your emotional features. Some asanas challenge your willpower. Some try your focus, while other work over your balance. It thus came of little surprise to learn that the asanas aiming at your balance test me the most. My struggle with finding the right balance is disclosed. There are moments when you cannot lie.

#fire anxiety

Like 99% percent of 21st century women, I suffer from chronic anxiety. I am still not sure about the cause. But I can sense its origin in my relation with time. I’m a genuinely present tense person, so any life situation requiring a crumb of patience makes me anxious. I’m not praising the spiritual mark of yoga — my capacity for plunging into meditation is still low. There is, however, a logic in the sequences that forces your brain to be patient and breathe through the moment. And there are studies proving the benefits of yoga in providing relief for anxiety and depression.

#perform better

I’ve been keen on improving my fitness level since forever. Unfortunately, I am not a naturally born anything and discipline is not my middle name. So, getting better is a complicated process. But the fact is that after several weeks of practicing yoga, on average twice per week, my muscle strength and endurance significantly improved. So did my flexibility and my cardio-respiratory fitness. And I can prove it.

I started to track my progress with MakeFit. I’m an avid app user, but from them all MakeFit is the only one to offer quantified fitness tracking. What MakeFit particularly does is help you know how workouts compare in effort and how your fitness evolves over time. While most of the apps simply count steps or measure heart rate, MakeFit uses a special algorithm, stressing effort level, fitness level and form (the balance of effort and fitness).

And that’s how the story began.