Yoga proves a No Prep stretch
No Prep by Bryan ‘Dub’ Axelson
I’ve always been interested in yoga, but I’d never tried it. I’ve always heard about the benefits of the discipline, how good it was for you, and how good it made you feel. I figured it was time to check it out.
I met with Moniqua Acosta, owner of Space Yoga + Wellness Studio. She agreed to show me some of the ins and outs of yoga, and hopefully not leave me feeling too sore. We started by having a conversation about what I typically do as far as exercise. I had to admit it usually consists of some push-ups or work with resistance bands a couple of times a week, but that’s about it.
Moniqua asked if I do any stretching, and other than what I do when I first wake up and get out of bed in the morning, the answer was a definitive no. Little did I know, I was about to stretch in ways I’d never stretched before. Realizing that I had no experience in this area, she started me with the most basic stuff. We both wanted me to be able to walk out of there.
As we were getting started, Moniqua grabbed some straps and hard rubber blocks. I found myself wondering what they were for. I was about to find out. First, I laid down on the yoga mat and Moniqua told me to put my foot in the strap and slowly move my foot from right to left. It was at this point that I realized just how tight my body was, especially my hips. Once I got my leg to a certain point, my hip muscles were like “Hey! What are you doing? We aren’t supposed to move like that. Stop it! NOW!”
After my hips were sufficiently – I assume – stretched, it was on to the next exercise. The pain in my hips was about to be matched by pain in my hamstrings. Moniqua told me to take the straps and gently pull my feet into my chest.
For the record, I do not believe my feet belong near my chest. They are, after all, at opposite ends of my body. Moniqua made it look so easy. It was not. I got my feet as close to my chest as I could before my hamstrings started waving the white flag. I say I felt pain in my hips and hamstrings, but it wasn’t excruciating. It was more like the pain you feel when you know you’re doing something good for your body.
Moniqua asked me if I wanted to do a few strength exercises, and I agreed. That said, I was beginning to have doubts. But I’d come this far, so I figured I should test myself a little more. She told me to put my legs criss cross applesauce and elevate myself up on the rubber blocks.
What?
Cross my legs and hold myself up with my legs still crossed? Am I strong enough to do that? I’m pretty confident in my upper body strength, but this seemed like a whole different level.
I gave it my best shot. I crossed my legs and put one hand on each block and, pressing down, lifted myself up on the blocks. Yes, I did feel a sharp pain in my triceps, but I did it. I actually was able to do it twice. Moniqua was, I believe, a little impressed by that. That made me feel good. Someone who is an expert was impressed by something a complete amateur did.
We ended my session there – on a high note. I was able to walk out of Space Yoga + Wellness Studio with my head held high. Just being able to walk out was a victory.
As it turns out, yoga isn’t easy. Everything I’d heard about it was true. It’s a great workout. I was sore for a couple of days afterward, but it was a good sore. It was a pain that made me feel like I’d accomplished something. After doing yoga, I realized that I definitely should stretch more than my usual every-morning-out-of-bed yawn. Thanks to Moniqua, I now know a few stretches I can do pretty easily. She is an expert at her craft, and I thank her for sharing some of her knowledge with me.
Because as we know, I had No Prep.
