It’s shocking to realize that my last yoga post was dated September 2008!!!

Yes, folks, the last quarter of 2008 was not good in terms of my yoga practice. Work overtook me, overwhelmed me, sucked me into the rat race, stressed me out. Yoga was definitely put in the back burner. I was lucky if I got to squeeze in time for home practice even.

Yesterday, I went back to the gym and yoga for the first time….excited to be working out again…and yet anxious to find out what I had to re-learn and work on again.

The first thing I did to warm up again was to hit the treadmill. After 10 minutes of brisk walking, I found myself still eager to go on. Another 5 minutes. Still not breathless. Whoo! Think all that walking from office to the MRT station almost daily had kept me fit at least for walking! So, I added another 5 minutes of walking. Total of 20 minutes. Not bad for a balik-gymnista!

I planned to do a light yoga routine. No pigeons, no camels, definitely no monkey poses. Just the balancing poses, Surya Namaskars, forward bends, some twists and a few supine asanas.

Here is a report card of last night’s workout:

Balance poses – pretty good. I was not falling out like I did a few months back. Good sign that I still had enough balance to keep me upright. But…I felt tight around the hips and need to work on opening them up once again.

Surya Namaskars – fair and basic. I did them mostly with knees to floor with a few where I tried the staff pose. No transitions though from staff to upward dog. That will be for much later when I get into better shape. In the run-up to doing the Trikonasana (Triangle) when one foot is in front of the other (both straight) and I had to bend forward, I clearly felt my hamstrings tighten up. So I went forward only as far as I could without aiming to touch my knee. I also felt myself getting tired easily doing these Sun salutations. A sign that I am NOT in shape. More work here!

Forward bends – I did them standing and seated. Felt some tightness in some poses but got my forehead to my calves most times. Did the wide-angle forward bends and somehow managed to get forehead to floor still. My hamstrings though really feel tight and at times cause me pain. I think the day-long seating in the office is really harmful in terms of flexibility. How long it will take me to loosen the hamstrings again is up in the air…

Supine poses – Did the Fish, Bridge and Shoulderstand. Not bad but again, they all stand a lot of  improvement!

Twists – The only ones I did were on my back, sole of foot to other knee, twisting left and right. Yes, my spine was tight because I could not get bent knee to floor, both ways. Another set of asanas that need to be worked on! *sigh*

It was not disappointing, this first workout for 2009. I guess I am just glad to be back on the machines and on my mat.

The trek back to yoga will not be easy but I know I will be learning lessons once again as I take up my passion from where I left off.

I am definitely looking forward to this freedom once more, to open up my 5 senses to the world around me, casting away the stress and toxins, nurturing my body and soul once again, and basking in the moments given me to enjoy precious time with those I love.

Namaste!