How I Fell in Love with Yoga: Part One

In college, I was a dedicated Pilates instructor and runner, often sneaking in a four or five mile jog before teaching a marathon of afternoon classes. Teaching was truly the highlight of my day; I loved motivating my students to push themselves physically and they loved the results (although, I’m sure the hated me during the process!) they earned from taking Pilates. I also enjoyed the transformation I experienced from teaching sometimes ten (ten!) classes a week. While I rarely had the time to take a fitness class for my own enjoyment, I forced myself to go to yoga a handful of times. Ever the Type A personality, I decided yoga wasn’t for me- it was too slow, too relaxed, too boring. I didn’t feel like I was getting a “good workout.” Plus, I was way too stressed out with my college courses to spend an hour “breathing” through poses and stretching my way to sanity.

(image via…)

My attitude about fitness, especially yoga, completely changed after I graduated from college and became a full-time copywriter. As someone who has always been active, I was shocked at the complete change in my attitude toward working out when I started my first professional job. Instead of mustering the energy to go for a run or do Pilates after a hard day at the office, I chose to relax on my couch. After all, I thought, it’s exhausting being a writer! And sitting all day can really wear a girl out! After several months of this behavior, I started to notice some surprising changes in myself. I no longer had energy at the end of the day. I was depressed and experienced severe mood swings. And, most of all, I had lost total interest in what used to be a major part of my life.

One day, I finally went for a run and realized that I couldn’t run for more than a mile without huffing and puffing. I was embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I used to run eight miles at a time, I thought. This is unacceptable! Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to run a little bit every day until I gained my endurance back. And, sure enough, my plan worked! It only took a couple months before I was running regularly again. But, because I was used to cross-training with Pilates, I felt like there was a missing component in my routine.

I joined a gym in January of this year, with the intention of taking as many Pilates classes as possible. It didn’t take long before I realized that the style of Pilates at my gym was completely different than what I was used to teaching as an instructor. Instead of enjoying the classes, I spent the entire hour critiquing the instructors. I forced myself to go to a few more classes, and even went to a couple of yoga classes (I was feeling desperate!) before I stopped going to the gym altogether. I was still active, though, running 15-20 miles a week. But, deep down, I knew it wasn’t enough.

When I turned 25, I made a list of goals, one of them being to “run a half marathon.” I began training shortly after that. I also went back to the gym, attempting to take some Pilates classes, but each time, I left feeling unsatisfied. Fitness is supposed to be fun!, I thought. That’s when I decided to give yoga another shot, not realizing that my life was about to completely change.

Stay tuned for Part Two next week!

By: