Inn of the Wandering Dragon

It is not my imagination, I actually am walking a bit differently today. I enjoyed my third yoga class a couple nights ago and I have been stretching muscles I had no idea could be stretched. Or if I thought they could be stretched the notion of how I was going to contort myself to best effect without hurting myself had not yet materialized. Thankfully almost all of the people in my class are at the same level as myself - complete newbie! This means the instructor is taking time and care to make sure we are all learning the poses correctly. After my one attempt at a drop in class last year I definitely appreciate this pace.

To be honest I only had a passing interest in yoga in the past, although I have always enjoyed the feel of a good stretch. Last year I purchased a DVD of belly dance drills, which included a 20 minute yoga warm up. I watched through the warm up section repeatedly and I can follow reasonably well but it is made for those who know what they are doing. I always had a suspicion that I would hurt myself if I was not very careful so I have usually done my own warm up. Now that the opportunity to learn has presented itself I felt I could not pass it up. I can see and feel that yoga practice compliments my ongoing dance practice. It strengthens the core and I am learning how to really stretch out and relax those areas that do so much of the work in belly dance. Eventually I will be able to take full advantage of the DVD contents as well.

Of course, reaching that blissful feeling of relaxation after stretching out tense muscles is a great benefit no matter what your other activities are. Just be prepared to walk a little differently.