Coffee drinker goes to yoga

Unfortunately, all I heard it say was, "Give me more coffee."

But, when I listened again, my body said, "Thanks for bringing me to yoga."

If I can do yoga, anyone can.

Yoga classes are blossoming in the Shoals, and it's easy to get started.

Classes at both the YMCA in Florence and Yoga of the Shoals are open for new students.

What to wear? Some people wore loose (but not baggy) lightweight workout pants, while others chose exercise tights under running shorts. Anything that lets you move but gives you coverage for when you're lying on your back with your legs up in the air is good. Men wore sweatpants.

Add T-shirts - long-sleeved if you tend to get chilled. For women, a good sports bra will make you more comfortable.

Don't worry about your shoes and socks. You'll take them off, anyway.

What to bring? All classes furnish mats, but you can buy your own. Mats made especially for yoga are textured and can be rolled up and carried under your arm.

Extras? In the YMCA beginning class, teacher Martha Smith wants students to use something for resistance - a sock or webbed belt - during some of the stretches. Mary Felchlin of Yoga of the Shoals provides foam blocks for some stretches as well as plenty of blankets and pillows for the last, relaxing segment of her classes.

As a newbie, I was nervous. I shouldn't have been.

One of the best parts about learning yoga is meeting the people who do it.

Everyone was helpful, friendly and positive. Must be all those calm, peaceful vibrations floating around.

My fellow yoga-takers graciously made room when I stretched too far and bumped into them, overlooked my clumsiness when I couldn't balance on one leg and even told me after class that I did great.

The teachers keep an eye on new students and caution against difficult moves coming up. If you can't handle one of the positions, you can always do an easier version.

I was surprised, though, at how far I could stretch and how long I could hold the poses when I concentrated and did that all-important breathing.

When you begin a class, Smith advised, stick with it for the first five to six weeks before deciding that yoga isn't for you.

"When you start yoga, you are fighting it because people close their minds," she said. "They don't want to relax. The most common complaint is that the poses are too difficult. And it's true that if you haven't done any kind of exercise before, your muscles won't be as strong - it takes longer than one hour for your joints to become flexible."

Forcing the moves rather than breathing into them is how people get injured, Felchlin added.

Was there chanting? At one point in Felchlin's class, students could chant "om" ("The sound before sound," Felchlin explained.), but if you didn't want to, that was OK.

I didn't, since that was about the point my coffee craving hit. Obviously, I haven't got the focusing part down yet, but I'm optimistic.

I like yoga, but I won't give up the treadmill and weight machines. That's OK, too.

Both teachers recommended yoga as part of a total fitness plan that includes all sorts of different exercises.

And when I get comfortable with what I'm learning, they promised, I'd be able to do it at home, on my own.

Is yoga hard? Well, yes and no.

The stretches and poses you move through in class aren't complicated, although some were challenging.

Learning to breathe properly (deep breathing in and out of your nose) was harder, but with practice, I got it. That's important, because breathing the right way is key to getting the most out of yoga.

The day after class, my muscles

knew I had put them through a different routine, but they didn't hurt. And I found myself, truly, standing a little straighter and breathing deeper.

People spend a lifetime learning and practicing yoga postures, and some aim at the top yoga level of super-consciousness, where they are at one with life.

For most of us, though, a stronger and more flexible body as well as a calmer and more relaxed mind are good enough.

And that I can do, even if I still sneak out after class for one more cup of coffee.

For class details, call the YMCA at 766-4652 (classes are free for members or $84 for a six-week session) or Yoga of the Shoals at 627-0338 (classes are $40 for five, or $10 a class).

Cathy Myers can be reached at 740-5733 or cathy.myers@timesdaily.com.