Yogis: The People of Yoga

Last week, I encouraged friends and other interested readers of this blog to try out yoga. Who knows if anyone actually took my advice, but I know I stepped up my trips to the gym since then. This week, after going to four classes, I decided I would spend a little more time focusing on the people of yoga. Because there are definitely different types of yogis and they are worth mentioning.

The stereotypical person who goes to yoga is probably a female in her twenties or thirties and is probably either doing it to get in better shape or because they appreciate the mental relaxation that often comes with yoga. But the thing is, while this person exists in large numbers, there are so many other different types of people who go to yoga.

One of the first things I noticed when I went to my first yoga class is that there were people from all walks of life. I expected to be an aged lump of goo compared to those who were in the class. And while I was an aged lump of goo compared to everyone else, it turned out that there were people bigger than me and older than me and, on rare occasions, people less agile than me.

I occasionally go to a class on Friday mornings that is mostly made up of women in their fifties and sixties. However, there is at least one woman I would swear is either in her eighties or pushing it. But she is somewhat able to keep up and the other ladies in that class are able to do things I couldn’t imagine doing. I mean, I may be a lot of things but I am not what someone would describe as “bendy.”

What I have noticed is that there are some unique types who go to these yoga classes. One that stood out to me is the guy who wore his tennis shoes throughout the class. That squeaking noise we heard for an hour? Yeah, that was him. Just some advice for those just getting started with yoga – you can get by going barefoot, or wearing socks or even those weird-looking foot-forming socks that some people are wearing sometimes. But shoes are distracting and annoying. Don’t do it.

Another person who stood out is the guy who showed up 15 minutes late to a full yoga class and still inserted himself into the middle of the class. Then, to add to the annoyance, he spent the remaining 45 minutes doing everything he could to draw the attention to himself. Excessive groaning, delaying his movements in a way that was distracting and interrupted the flow, talking to himself out loud, and looking around to see who was paying attention to him. Don’t be that guy. If you need attention, get a job that puts the focus on you. The rest of us go to yoga classes to avoid people like this guy.

I don’t just want to pick on the guys. There seems to be a large number of females who go to these yoga classes in need of some attention as well. I typically try to show up early so I can pick my spot, which means I sometimes get stuck in meaningless conversations with relative strangers who apparently need the social aspect of the class to feel the benefits of the yoga class. As someone who enjoys social conversations, I am open to talking to anyone who wants to talk. But it isn’t necessary and there are a large number of people in these classes who seem to feel this need. You’ve been warned.

Couples are another group I’ve started to notice coming in more and more, which I actually think is cool. At one time in my life, I actually went as the male portion of a couples’ trip to the yoga class. My guess is it is usually the female who initiates the conversation of the two going together, but it is still a great way to grow that relationship. Maybe. But it is still cool.

Another type that has stood out to me is the overly emotional person, who becomes so overwhelmed with the mental “benefits” of the class that he or she actually cries during the class. This person is rare –  kind of like a double rainbow, I guess – but when it happens, it can freak you out. It seems so out of place. On a positive note, at least you’ll know this is a person you should avoid talking to in the future.

Previously, I mentioned the guy who came 15 minutes late, which is a big “no no” when it comes to yoga. We don’t like distractions. So, those people who are only able to fit in 30-40 minutes of the class into their uniquely busy schedules? Do it at home. Or somewhere other than an actual class. These yoga classes are 50-60 minutes long and the last thing I want to hear while I am trying to relax my mind is the stampeding of your feet as you gather your belongings so you can head to your next destination. It is rude and you shouldn’t do it.

 
As I said before, there are all types who go to the yoga classes. Hippies, yuppies, conservatives, liberals, young, old, fat, skinny. But yoga is built around relaxation and most of us who go want it to stay that way. Just so you know!

Why Not Yoga?

Yoga. It’s kind of an odd-sounding word, don’t you think? For whatever reason, it makes me think of Yogi the Bear when I hear it. But it also makes me think of hard work and physical labor, which is exactly what my body seems to endure when I am doing yoga.

I just finished a third class this past week when it occurred to me that I never seem to run into anyone I know when I go to yoga classes. Granted, I go to classes at YMCAs in northwest OKC, which may not be the destination for many people I know. But the thing is, yoga is great exercise for your body and mind and I am here to advocate for people to give it a try.

Forget the silly names of the positions. This week, I found myself doing “pigeon” and “down dog” and “dead bug” and “threading the needle.” And, of course, my favorite – “savasana,” which is the nap-like relaxing position that occurs at the end of every class.

I got started with yoga a few years ago as an attempt to work on stretching out my body. I thought it might help my back and I had read that some professional athletes said it was the best thing they did for their bodies. And, as some of you may know, I have often been under the illusion that I was actually a professional (although unpaid and lacking of talent) athlete. It is tough but definitely something that has helped through the years. When I did end up having a major problem with my back that led to the surgery I had over a year and a half ago, it occurred to me that it had been awhile since I had last been to a yoga class when my back began having the problems.

I got back to doing yoga a few months following my surgery as a way to continue my physical therapy that the insurance company in its infinite non-medical experience wisdom decided I no longer needed. Whether I am able to go to one or two or three classes, it is always helpful but usually a struggle. However, the classes seem to be split as to how difficult the class is.

The thing about yoga is that there are a lot of myths about it. That it is something only women do. Or that it is a place where men sometimes go to try to pick up on women. Or that it isn’t “manly” to do yoga. Or that it is just sitting around in a relaxed state. None of these have been the case when I have gone. I have never noticed any of the guys flirting with any of the women there. In fact, most of the guys who do go typically are there with a wife or significant other. The single guys tend to keep to themselves.

The number of men who go to the yoga classes I have been to is low. The class I went on Saturday morning had maybe a dozen women and one other guy besides myself. Yes, it was the morning after St. Patrick’s Day, which I’m sure eliminated everyone but the dedicated “yogis” who avoided the hangover so they could find peace and relaxation at the gym.

Yoga can be relaxing but mostly it is a sweat-inducing, sometimes painful hour of stretching your body to its limits. There are balancing poses and positions that require a great deal of twisting and turning. For someone like me who is still recovering in some ways from surgery, it is a continuation of the physical therapy I need to be able to walk normally again. For others, it may be a way to work on getting in shape or even to just be around other people.

For the guys out there, they won’t take away your man card if you do yoga. And if you are worried about embarrassing yourself, keep in mind that I do it two to three times a week and usually can’t keep up. I am not the oldest person in the room nor am I the weakest person there.

Yoga is for everyone, and it is a great way to work on testing your body’s limits for short periods of time. Give it a try – I did and I have never regretted it since.

The Madness That Is March

It’s that time of year again when we fill out our brackets and then watch our picks fall one-by-one as each game plays out. It is March Madness.

What we love about this time of year is that we start out with a chance to have our tournament bracket be the one that finally has all the correct picks. As far as we know, that has never happened. It’s like a 16-seed beating a 1-seed. It seems like it should happen at some point but we are still waiting.

I am no different than anyone else when it comes to filling out a bracket. I picked a few upsets but ended up going with a “blue blood” as my champion. Here is a breakdown of my picks:

 In the East Region, I have two upset picks in the first round with 10-seed Marquette and 12-seed UNC Wilmington advancing. I have Duke as the only higher seed advancing to the Sweet 16. In the Elite Eight, I have SMU beating Wisconsin to advance to the Final Four.

The first-round upset picks for the West Region include Vanderbilt (9-seed), Xavier (11) and Princeton (12). Advancing to the Sweet 16 are the top four seeds (Gonzaga, Arizona, Florida State, West Virginia), and I have Arizona beating Gonzaga to make it to the last weekend.

Getting out of the first round of the Midwest Region are all the favorites except for Creighton, who I have getting beat by Rhode Island. The Sweet 16 includes top-seed Kansas, 2-seed Louisville, 5-seed Iowa State and that pesky 11-seed Rhode Island. I have KU beating Louisville to get to the Final Four.

In the tough South Region, the first round “upset” picks include 9-seed Seton Hall, 10-seed Wichita State and 12-seed Middle Tennessee State. The Sweet 16 contests include the top three seeds (North Carolina, Kentucky and UCLA) along with MTSU. I have North Carolina beating Kentucky to advance to the Final Four.

With the Final Four taking place in Arizona, I picked the hometown Wildcats to beat SMU to advance to the championship game against Kansas. And the champion for this season is KU, who I have beating Arizona, 78-73 in the title game.

 Chances are more of my picks than not will not work out as predicted. But this is the bracket I am going with for this year. And no doubt, I will be back to picking poorly again next year too!