A few weeks ago when I was feeling more out of shape and lazy than normal I spent an hour or so looking for alternative exercises. I need to jump start my metabolism , especially since I'm eating so poorly. One thing I had heard about from my elderly volkssport ladies is chair aerobics and chair yoga. One hundred percent no impact on joints. I decided to look it up.
To my surprise only one place offered it: The Yoga Loft. Now the last time I was there —in July, 2010 — I did not have a good experience and never went back. I was wary, but I really wanted to try it. At that time I was doing free T'ai Chi at a church on Saturday's but that group ultimately ended. Then I went to the Bethlehem Township Community Center, but that one ended as well. Ultimately I gave up on T'ai Chi. The problem with that class was it was all lecture. Not a class. Not what I was looking for.
I left 45 minutes to walk down there and walk up the three flights of stairs. I was early. When I arrived at the Yoga Loft nothing had really changed in nearly a decade. It looked pretty much was exactly the same.
Since I was going for chair yoga I didn't bring a mat. I needed one. You put the chair on the mat. Thankfully they had ones to loan. Next to each chair there was many items—a strap, blocks, bolsters and a blanket. I thought to myself, what have I gotten myself into?
Most of the class was around my age. There were a few instructors coming for training, and a few young people with injuries that are sidelined from traditional exercise. Most of the attendees had a medical reason for being there—arthritis, replaced joints, back injuries, cancer... . One lady I talked to was a former paramedic with back issues because of all the years of lifting people. She was worried about doing the class, but her daughter insisted she come along. It would be okay. And for her it was. She said she hadn't felt that good in years.
Now to be honest, I thought ... at first ... it was a horrible replay of the T'ai Chi fiasco. Lots of talking. But it was a two hour class, and she kept saying we'll have a full class. And we did.
And it was yoga. All the moves were there, but you were seated the entire time. She did demo, then we did the set, and then we chatted. Repeat. She asked everyone their name and their issue. Paramedic lady went to do one of the moves and she called out, no not you. You do it this way. I used everything but the blanket. That mostly was to make the chair more comfy. She suggested a padded folding chair.
To do this yoga you sit in the front third of the chair. Posture is really important. But then it's important in all yoga. I worked up a sweat, and my upper body is sore. I felt like I worked out. I did all of the poses. Everyone. And only modified two of the leg ones. I would do it again, but $20 for a yoga class is expensive. There are a ton of videos on YouTube—some maybe not so good—but I know I won't do them. I do better with a buddy.
The two hour class took two hours and twenty minutes. Then I headed down the stairs, and started walking home. On a sad note I was hungry, and the leftovers I planned for supper were moldy. Oh well.
Namaste.
Miles/Steps: 3, plus a mile this morning
Weather: 38, overcast
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