Switching It Up

Per the post yesterday, I have already started to change things a little.  Last night I went to Body Pump - more because of my class requirements than a true desire, but it was good.  I had run that morning, feeling tired and sluggish so I was surprised to have much....umph in the class.  I'd had a rough-ish day and I quite literally took it all out on a bar bell (something I will pay for later today). 

This morning I attended a 5:30 a.m. yoga class instead of running.  This was also for the course I am taking here at UAH, but it was a test run of sorts as well.  I wanted to see if I liked the class, if I minded getting ready in the gym, and if it made my schedule too crazy.  

It was actually a really nice break from the more rigorous activity of running so early in the morning.  The room was dim and the music was soft and peaceful as the instructor smoothly guided us from exercise to exercise, pose to pose.  I focused on my breathing and my movement, trying to allow the two to flow together.  It felt like the perfect way to welcome a day.

During the last 5 minutes we focused on relaxing and with each inhalation of breath we were to bring in health, peace and the things that make us happy.  As we exhaled we were to let go of stress, worries, anxieties or anything of that sort, clearing our minds.  I took a deep breath (or several, actually) and as I let it out, more than releasing it into the air, I tired to release all of those things to my Lord. 

After class I headed to the locker room for a shower.  Because I have showered in this gym before after the occasional lunch time run, I knew that the third shower from the right had awesome water pressure.  And it was open.  So after a great yoga class, I got a wonderfully hot shower, as the water pelted my shoulders and back. 

By 7:00 I was ready so I drove to Atlanta Bread Co. for a bagel and a LARGE coffee.  Vanilla Nut to be exact.  I got to work by 7:30 and that was without fighting the horrendous traffic I usually sit in each morning.

So...I'm thinking this yoga class may be a weekly Tuesday ritual.  This afternoon I have No Boundaries, so I will run the 2.5 miles to mark the course, and then run it again with my group.  But when the program is over, I can choose to take Tuesdays off from running completely or do something short after work.  Either way, I think I am going to enjoy switching it up!