being a tree

I tried yoga for the first time yesterday. I felt equipped with my yoga pants (which had never before been used for its actual purpose) and the anticipation of relaxing myself. And trying something different from my usual pounding on the treadmill. That's one of my tentative themes for 2009 - so far. The trying something different part (not to stop using a treadmill.)


As I teetered on one leg and tried as hard as I could to not topple over, thus becoming sufficiently embarrassed, I thought about how often I limit myself. Why had I never tried this class before? I've been a member of the gym since, I dunno, September. I'll be the first to admit that I was intimidated as I stepped into the dimly lit room. Everyone else appeared to be experts. They sat barefoot and crossed-legged on their mats. They eyed me (or at least I think they were) as I picked up a blue mat and placed it a random spot on the floor. Was this the right place to be? Or was this someone else's "spot?" I finally had to resign myself to be okay with looking out of place. I'd never done this before and I had to cut myself a break.

There, now it's out there. I have two [lifelong] goals this year. I want to a) take better care of myself and b) be more adventurous. Like the oh-so wise Peter Pan said, "to live will be an awfully big adventure."