Page 95 - Demo

www.MOSTmag.com || FITNESS MAG A ZINE || 95anything. But something in me told me to give it try and don%u2019t quit. At first I had a love/hate relationship with it. I hated every moment when I was in class. It was so hard, the stretches hurt, and I was as flexible as a dry twig. I was going to snap a hamstring at any moment. My mind was also racing. I could not get my thought to stop and be in the moment. I had a really hard time focusing. But, I loved how I felt afterwards. With each session I was slowly begin to mentally accept it and have an open mind. My body felt more relaxed and not so tight.I begin to embrace the athleticism of yoga. Some of the poses blew my mind that I am determined to be a yogi now. What some of these yoga peeps can do is incredible. I have so come far, but still have a long ways to go. Back in the day I could leg press 500 lbs. but I could not hold up my own 135 lbs. body weight. Weird huh! I also, could not do a headstand at all back in those days. With months of practice, today, I could now do a headstand on a paddle board in the water. This was a highlight for me as I hit my 40%u2019s. Yoga taught me a new mind muscle connection with your own body weight. Different from what I learned than bodybuilding. I crave yoga now and know when my body needs the deep stretch. Funny how even as a fitness professional for 12 years trained to do one thing, your fitness changes and you evolve. I love where I am with my fitness right now. I feel more centered with my mind, body, and soul. The yoga wheel you see me using in my images is called a Dharma Yoga Wheel. I saw this wheel on Instagram. It has helped me stretch and release tension where I have muscular tightness in my body. It also, helps me get deeper into my yoga poses and serves as a great tool instead of using the wall for some poses. Did you know the number of older adults participating in yoga has grown because doctors are recommending it? If you already do yoga, great! Keep at it. If you don%u2019t, I highly recommend giving it a try. Just start at a basic level until you feel comfortable or brave enough to do the next level. You have to start somewhere. If you would have told me I would be doing yoga headstands a couple years ago, I would have laughed in your face. Now, I am in love with the challenge of flexibility.