Vaclav Elias

I knew that Yoga exists but I haven’t had any clue what Yoga is and what it is for. I saw doing my friend an advance Yoga in the gym I attend and it impressed me deeply. Decision was made after the New Year. I tried Yoga for the first time in my entire life on the 5th January 2008 and this is what I felt..

Class Zero – Yoga Hatha

This class was for beginners but I was completely lost even we went slowly through basic posture sequences. I was very busy following the teacher unfortunately, I cannot remember all poses. The class attended about 12 girls and 2 other guys. I did like this class. The teacher Jackie was good, explained poses and corrected us as needed.

Class 1 – Yoga Ashtanga

This class was for all levels and I attended it two days later on the 7th January were I could feel even more what Yoga is. The class attended about 15 girls and 1 other guy (Hmm, “Why only 2 guys?”). The teacher was the same from my Class Zero. She explained poses and corrected us as needed . Surprisingly, I have found out that this Yoga class was very difficult for me. These thoughts were inside me that day and next day after my first class.

What is difficult and why?

• Postures
• I couldn’t get back from one posture, the emergency was called to untwist me
• Sequences
• Breathing
• My muscles were weak (the biggest surprise)
• I couldn’t understand the teacher
• My muscles started be overheating
• My muscles started shaking
• In some moments I didn’t know which hand is right and which is left
• I couldn’t get back home because of confusing West and East and I couldn’t find my car. Hey, I don’t have any car
• I had even dreams about Yoga that night

I wanted to finish my first Asthanga class after 30 minutes not because of I didn’t like it or I wasn’t flexible like other students but because I wasn’t physically able to continue. Fortunately, we finished Sun Salutation B and I was able to rest.

Considering these feelings I could understand why people doing yoga are crazy (“crazy” in good meaning). I know lots of people and from the big range of my friends, family and colleagues I could easily see that 95% would give up and only 5 % would be able/happy to continue and find some passion in Yoga and maybe some of them would be even excited doing Yoga as me. This 5% minority is “crazy” from the majority point of view.

In any case I did love all these “first” classes and I am excited and looking forward to attend them again. My legs were particularly weak and this was my biggest issue in class 1.

Class 2 – Yoga Hatha

My second Yoga Hatha class was again difficult for me but at least I can feel that I like it. However I can remember just one posture Warrior posture.

..after one year Bloody Yoga Madness