Centered and Balanced

A few years after I started running I happened on a yoga class that was offered through Dean Health.  On a whim I signed up (who couldn't use a bit more flexibility??).  I stayed in that class off and on for 2 years and then it ended as did my formal relationship with yoga.  Oh I still indulged in a pigeon pose or two when my legs felt incredibly tight (every freaking day) but it ended up being a bit out of sight (aka not easy to accomodate), out of mind.

And then a yoga studio opened here in my little, mostly redneck, home town.

And something changed.

No, no...not that.  Well, with enough straps and blocks I could do that but I sure wouldn't look like that.  And my hamstring would seize about 20 seconds into the pose.  And then it would just be really, really bad.

But change I did, because after awhile it wasn't just about "Can I still touch my toes?".  It became about "I know what I CAN do, but what can I try to do?".  So I take myself off to that studio here in town at least once a week to see what I can do. Some days it is the same old, same old and I am not overly ambitous.  Other days I am astounded.  As a runner, my forays into pretzel shapes and supple bends and twists are somewhat limited.  Also being a swimmer puts a serious damper on my ablity to find any type of mobility in my shoulders and upper back.  Approaching the big 5-5 isn't exactly helping my cause either.  But I have progressed with certain poses and not so much with others.

I don't know that I can scientifically say that yoga has specifically helped my running, although I feel it really has, it certainly scientifically hasn't hurt it (except for maybe that one summer solstice class!!).  If you would like a little intro, check out the Yoga for Runners video's at runnersworld.com or better yet, bust out those Groupons and check out some classes around town.  Nearly every studio in town would welcome you with open arms.

However today I took a big step outside my safety zone.  On the suggestion/recommendation/encouragement of one of my favorite instructors I thought I would step outside my running/swimming physical activity box and attend part of a yoga workshop.

It doesn't really matter where the workshop was or who taught it or what we did (there were no pretzel poses for the part I went to...yaye!).  I felt like this was a huge thing for me because I ALWAYS encourage people to run or at least try running...no matter where they start, what their speed, what they look like or what their goals are.  Who knows what it could lead to?  It could be AMAZING.  And here I was...trying something new and what the heck?  It could be AMAZING. I should take my own advice?!

And honestly?  Maybe amazing is a strong adjective, but it was certainly enlightening.  And I am not much into the spiritual side of things (running, yoga...whatever) but these words made sense to me and I felt like they could entice me to at the least look in a new way in a new direction.  And that my friends is not such a bad thing when you are physically stiff and sore and tired and mentally stretched thin.  That 5-5 thing too.

In any event (or workshop) apparently you can teach an old dog new tricks.  Although I'd prefer to say you can expose an old cat to new good habits! Doesn't mean they'll all stick.

Moral of the story...GET OUT OF THE BOX.  The box will just end up being a coffin so put that off as long as you can.

Next up, I (and my pacing partner Mark) pace the 2:20 group at the Madison Half Marathon.  I am looking forward to this, but I am also very afraid that I'll do something stupid and ruin someone's race! If you are running it (or spectating) and you see our group, give us some high 5's!  We might need it!