Yoga

Believe it or not, I can be quite stubborn. I know, I know. More than a few of you are probably saying, "Ed, it's not being stubborn if you're always right." And I would be hard-pressed to disagree with you. But for the purpose of this blog, let's not argue. Let's just agree with my opening statement, however difficult it is to believe.

My stubbornness revealed itself to me, of all places, through yoga. You see, I was convinced that yoga, while restorative and many other good things, did not have a place in a triathlon training program. Especially mine. It was like cleaning the lint out of the dryer; nice to do if you have time, but not essential. After all, how could yoga make me a faster swimmer, bike-rider or runner when it didn't make me swim, ride or run? (Weight-training also fell by the wayside for similar reasons). And while I knew I was inflexible, embarrassingly so, I was getting great results at my races - beating people who could touch their noses to their knees. This was air-tight logic then.

But, as the saying goes, fortune favors change. (I think Mom told me that one). Or maybe it was that you shouldn't count the burning bridges before they change. Anyway. You get the idea.

Well, with the weather this week making it too cold and rainy to exercise outside, I trained indoors. Windtrainer. Weights. Spinning Classes. And since they were free, yoga classes.

-The windtrainer was what it always was and will be, though this time more tolerable because of Instant Netflix.
-The weights were nice, mainly because I'm past the stage where each lift is followed by paralytic soreness, and I'm starting to feel strong(er) again.
-The spin classes were fun (especially in the new shoes), though the music choice by the instructors leaves something to be desired, as does their obsession with having you get out of the saddle for five seconds and then sit down for five and then stand up for five... it doesn't exactly lead to a smooth ride.

But all of these were familiar, and I knew why I was doing them and how much progress I could make.

Yoga was a different story.

Going in, I expected to stretch and breathe and listen to quiet music. I did a bit of that, for sure. (I even bowed along with everyone else at the end of class and said "Namaste"). But I didn't realize the strength, the control that yoga demands. My legs burned holding chair pose and a variation of warrior pose and lots of other poses that I can't pronounce the name of. I dripped sweat trying to follow a supposedly "Restorative Yoga" class. Doing basic movements and holding basic positions were not as easy as they should be for someone who considers them-self in good shape.

After each class, I would leave feeling loose, but strong. I had stretched and strengthened - especially the muscles I rarely dedicate any time to intentionally stretch or strengthen.

And so it was born. Yoga is now part of the training routine. Starting off three times a week. Possibly building to four in a few months. There is plenty of room for growth - both in terms of flexibility and strength - but I look forward to it. And having tried it, I know it can only make me a better triathlete. Hell, maybe even a better person. I'm excited about all of it, no matter how slowly I progress.

Like Mom says, "Rome's bridges weren't burned in a day."