Week 47 – 2020

This is another post from the series “I tried something new this week”. I want to share a few thoughts after my first couple of kundalini yoga sessions last week.

I have been looking to improve my energy levels and my strength since I am working from home full time and do not move as much as I should. Is not enough with daily walks and the occasional run. For a while I did pilates but that became repetitive and a chore. I am clearly looking for something else that I can enjoy and is sustainable for me.

Before I found the class I didn’t know much about kundalini yoga. Actually, I don’t know much about it today, I just had 2 sessions. But I am super keen to learn because it feels really good after each session! So far I was taught a few breathing techniques and a few postures. They can be challenging and I had to push myself to find more strength, I could feel my muscles at the end of each session. The breathing can vary from very rapid to very deep and slow, with control. There are a lot of health benefits that these techniques can bring according to my brief research but right now I am focusing on what feels good for me in the moment or on the day. And I can definitely say that I found energy that I didn’t know was there and I benefited from it the entire day.

My sessions start weekly at 06:45 am on a Monday and committing to that time already requires me to change my routine, which is good. When my alarm went off at 06:15 am for the first session, I was grumpy and unsure. And I am morning person! This time is not far from my usual waking up time. But after 1h and 15 minutes I felt refreshed and relaxed, I forgot all about grumpiness and I was ready to start my day. My teacher made me feel so welcomed and helped me ease into the classes, now I am looking forward to those early Monday mornings, they are such an important part of my week.

The first class we practiced the kriya for unknown cause of sickness, followed by a meditation for releasing childhood anger. Kryia is a sequence of postures, some more challenging than others. I like it that they all have a name, a purpose, a connection. The meditation we did for 7 minutes was difficult for me on a physical level because we held the arms stretched at the shoulder height but also I struggled with my thoughts running wildly and unravelling. In yoga you need to focus on the now, you need to channel your energy on the present. I have a feeling that that particular part is slightly more difficult to achieve than the physical challenge. But I am so up for it.

Starting any new form of exercise that involves technique, balance or coordination requires time and dedication. I tend to always lean towards things that require a long learning curve, I find it challenging and rewarding. That’s the reason why I got into golf a few years ago. I have to play so much more to become good at it. Is almost like I embarked on a journey with the golf and now I am doing it with yoga.

In those challenging times when everything around us seems to be hanging and uneasy, woking on improving myself is key. It makes me feel like I am not just waiting for the lockdown to be over or I am not just waiting to travel again or see my family and my friends again. I am doing something for my physical and mental health. Everything starts with health! If you have that, you can go off and create things, discover things and help others. With kundalini yoga I feel like I am finally focusing on what’s important.