You’re hearing from a former Yoga skeptic. Yep. I’ve crossed over to the other side. I’m not a lululemon-wearing Yogi just yet, but after a pleasantly surprising free week of Yoga at CorePower, I will be making the leap to attempt a Yoga practice that works for me based on what I learned this week.

I had tried Yoga a few years back and found it a little too “Kumbaya” for me. The instructor was not really my cup of tea, the room was always crowded and I didn’t really achieve the results, physically and mentally that I wanted to. So, I wrote Yoga off as not for me.

Since, I have watched a surge in the MSP Yoga community, including many friends and acquaintances that have joined the ranks of Yogi Extraordinaires. In addition, I watched numerous Yoga studios pop up all over the Twin Cities. Despite this surge, I remained glued to my former experience and avoided this movement at all costs, often and not surprising (if you know me) vocal about my rebellion. Until this past Monday, that is.

My decision to revisit Yoga came when a friend (shout out to my pal Aubrey) invited me to attend a yoga class with her at the popular multi-location CorePower Yoga. In addition to the prospect of spending time with her, she reminded me of the attractive unlimited free week offer for beginners.

We met at the Woodbury location and I commenced my free week of Yoga in their C1 (beginners) class with Keith (he’s awesome) at noon. After what turned out to be a delightful class and experience, I made the decision to attend as many classes as I could during this free week in order to make a well-rounded re-appraisal of my thoughts on Yoga. I went to five classes in seven days. I attended C1 (beginners class), two Hot Fusions, Sculpt and Candlelight Flow.

TAKEAWAYS…

BALANCE
I’m in the chapter of my life where I work a lot — and I enjoy it immensely. With that, however, inevitably comes the question of balance and how to work smart, factor in time for family, friends, exercise, spiritual connection and whatever else you’ve got going on.

In one week of doing Yoga, I connected with girlfriends a total of four times, exercised five times and was able to quiet my mind and focus my thoughts on others and how I can be a better human. Activities that combine physical, mental, spiritual and human connection are a win in my book, and something worth the investment of my time and money.

IT’S SOCIAL
A lot of people do – and get excited about – Yoga. Once I let the cat out of the bag that I was in my free week, I had a Yoga companions for every class I took this week and had many unexpected conversations with people as the result. Yoga is very social, despite your focus and intention while in class.

CLASSES
Each class I took offered a totally different experience. The really great thing about CorePower is that no matter what level, you’re encouraged and advised to not be self-conscious about your movement and to go at your own pace. It takes the edge off and allows you to discover, on your time frame, what will work and what won’t. There’s great diversity in classes. You’re experience can be serene and gentle, or totally full-blast intense workout. The classes I enjoyed most and will be attending are:

• Hot Power Fusion is an amazing class that challenges every part of you. Shout out to Meher (who teaches at Highland Park on Saturdays at 4:30 – and probably elsewhere at other times) who was my favorite of the week. Her teaching style was very unique and fun. I look forward to attending her classes regularly.

• Sculpt will give you a new-found respect for Yoga. It’s consists of fast-paced concentrated Yoga poses with weights. It is the fiercest workout I’ve ever experienced to date. I was only able to get through a fourth of the class and felt near death a few times (not kidding). It is my understanding after extensive conversations that my amazing instructor, Tobi Lynden, is among the hardest Sculpt instructors at CorePower. I’m going to figure out who is the easiest and go from there in hopes that I’ll be tough enough to get through one of Tobi’s classes someday.

Many teachers offer to correct postures. I am the type that needs hands on guidance when it comes to exercise, especially something like Yoga, as I’m always nervous that I’m doing things incorrectly and will hurt myself (I’m kind of a klutz that way). Loved this.

Here’s a link to CorePower’s class descriptions if you want to learn more.

MORAL OF THE STORY
Open-mindedness and learning are two things I enjoy. Revisiting something I didn’t love reminded me that being open-minded ALWAYS teaches me new things. It also reminded me that as I grow, what may have worked or been relevant to me a few years ago will inevitably change and take on new meaning or interpretation.

FINALLY
To have experienced all of this in seven days – for FREE – was pretty neat, especially this time of year. Things stagnate, summer seems like 100 years away – and when you have a million things to do -  it’s nice to be good to yourself and slow down a bit, whatever that means for you. I’m glad my pal asked when she did, and that I was open to the experience and took some action because I feel amazing. I think I’ll stick with Yoga for a while.

What about you? How do you find balance?