Old Man Yoga- By Barry C.

I want to preface this entry by saying that I had initially asked Barry (who is always raving about yoga to anyone who will listen!) to write me a little recommendation for the studio. Like a paragraph, a small testimonial I could share. This is what Barry sent me. In his words, his whole experience with yoga up until this point. I originally didn’t know how I would use this…but I knew that I had to find a way to share it. The time and the care with which Barry expressed himself here truly amazing. So I am sharing HERE with you all, and anyone who might be stumbling across this page. And to you Barry-The beautiful thing is that in a few months time, you will have even more insights and aha moments, and transformations, about things which you have yet to even think about or feel. And that is what keeps you practicing over the years, that continuity which you mentioned… ~Aly Grgurovic, Owner of Live Free Yoga

Old Man Yoga- By Barry C.

If someone told me six months ago that my future self would become a steadfast yoga practitioner I would have seriously questioned their excessive use of illicit pharmaceuticals. But low and behold, here I am writing about why I feel it would be a mistake for anyone to not to at least explore what yoga might do for them.

Some background is probably in order. I am a creaky and beat up 66 year old. Although I have a background in strength and conditioning (20 years as a certified strength and conditioning specialist), I haven’t been very good to my body. Training was always a bit extreme and the sports and work choices usually had a high probability of injury. A turning pointwas a broken rib sustained during a hockey game. The injury seemed to be taking way too long to recover from. I realized the 25 year old that lived inside my head needed to come to terms with my “mature” body.

I thought that with my background I would simply devise a modified training regime that would both rehab all my current impairments and strengthen the areas of diminished capabilityassociated with increased age. I did just that and followed it for a while; however, there was a problem, my heart wasn’t into it. In addition to being physically worn out, my enthusiasm was waning. Without an incentive, other than to “get fitter” I wasn’t motivated and the endeavor was very half-hearted. I entered search modefor something that would put a spark back into my recovery.

Initially, I thought about making a return to the world of martial arts. I always enjoyed it and it was easy to adhere to a regular commitment of training. The problem was my martial arts adventures had also been a main source of my now chronic injuries. The thought of some 25 year old kid, right out of the Marine Corps., putting me into an arm bar seemed like a probable way to add to my list of maladies. I wanted to feelbetter and not let injury get in the way of consistency. 

I have learned through the years that consistency is the key to success in the health and fitness world. Yoga was never really on the radar as a potential option. I, like most men of my era, had a preconceived notion of what yoga would entail, and it didn’t seem to be a fit for what I thought I was looking for. A bit too earthy crunchy and kinda somewhere out in the ether where I had no intention of venturing. It wasn’t until a friend of mine, who persuaded (nagged) me did I agree to give the practice a try. I signed up for a month with the intention of trying as many different classes as were offered.

The first thing I noticed was that there were all kinds of variations of practice being offered. There were different levels of intensity, different instructors and enough of a selection in class times that there wasn’t going to be any real excuse for not attending class at least a few times a week. I dove in without a clue what to expect. Right from the start I could tell that this was going to be way different from anything I had been doing. The “gym” vibe was nowhere to be found. I immediately noticed that there wasn’t a mirror anywhere in the studio. This was a good start, it made me think that this might be an actual serious place and not just the hangout for the self absorbed that the modern gym has become.

Next, and probably most important, came the people. Instructors who were not only welcoming but talented and well versed in what they taught. Other people taking the class, were friendly and looking to share their experience with those of us just starting. The first class I took, we began the class…by laying down! What?!!! Where were the jumping jacks to get the heart rate up? Nope. We were getting the mind ready before we did anything with the body. I’m thinking to myself “Now this really is going to be different.” The first few classes everything was so foreign. None of the terms were familiar but that didn’t matter. The instructors weren’t barking orders like a drill sergeant, they were doing the movements right along with us. You had a reference right in front of you showing you what each movement was supposed to look like. It wasn’t easy the first few classes but it definitely got easier each time.

Don’t get me wrong when I say “easy”. I am referring to the learning curve associated with understanding the flow of the class and the terminology. With respect to the physical challenge associated with the practice, it put into perspective what my other training (or lack thereof) had been missing. Some of it was very hard and some of it was nearly impossible. But here was another encouraging thing about this…there were always alternatives and work arounds us to use. The teachers were quick to point out variations that could be used to allow us to continue to participate. No one had to sit on the sidelines.

I noticed that there were several things that yoga addressed that my previous routines did not.

1. There was an athleticism lacking in what I had been doing before. When I say “athleticism” I’m talking about a combination of physical qualities, blended together in a manner that when performed properly appear seamless to the onlooker. Watching the instructors and seasoned practitioners ‘flow” through the practice was admirable and something I thought I wanted to try to work towards.

2. The “working towards” gave me the incentive to try to get better and this was the spark that I had been looking for. Every class my goal is to get just a fraction better than I was the previous class. In order to do this you not only have to physically work but you have to pay attention and concentrate on what is being taught. Not that I want the class to end quickly, but because of this level of concentration the class seems to end way too early. I would slog through my other workouts just trying to get it done. Training was more like brushing my teeth. I did it because it was good for me, not because I really wanted to be there. The difference with yoga is I’m always looking forward to the next class.

3. I can do it every day. As I alluded to earlier, the true key to success in health and fitness is consistency. Previous training was so vigorous that it usually necessitated a day off after. “Leg Day” in the weight room meant the next day walking was going to be a chore. The problem with this is that one day off leads to two, leads to three. No consistency there. It isn’t that there isn’t a challenge, because there is. There is an appropriate level of intensity that allows me to come back for more the next day.

4. It has made me want to be better all around. I knew that if I ever wanted to move forward and perform the asanas (look at me using the yoga terminology!) I was going to have to work on other aspects of my life. I started to really put some effort into my diet. I had been struggling with weight loss for several years. Now with this particular goal as incentive, I have been able to lose over 30 lbs. I wasn’t using the scale as a measure but instead how the different poses were getting easier as I got lighter. I eat much healthier and even though I am a notoriously bad sleeper, even that has gotten better.

5. This last one is something I’m really starting to enjoy. The practice is starting to become more than just a physical performance. This is very hard to explain but my breathing is starting to follow the flow of the practice and with that breathing is coming a type of relaxation that recharges both the mind and body. Listen, I’m not a woo woo type of guy but there is something happening there…and I like it.

So all that being said (I could have gone on longer but enough is enough) I would recommend you at least give it a try.

When I say try it, I mean really try it. One class is not enough for several reasons. If you have never done it before you will feel like a deer in the headlights for the first class. Just muddle through it. Ask questions after class if you have any. Aly and her roster of instructors are some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet and they are very patient. If I haven’t driven them to kick me out, you have nothing to worry about. With each time you come, the practice will feel more and more natural. You will know the routine after only one session and that next one you will feel a bit less anxious. Make the first two “beginner” or “gentle” Classes, but work your way up to more strenuous flow classes.

You’ll see how challenging it can be. But if you are like me, you will realize with practice this is something you can grow into and most importantly, truly enjoy.

Thanks for reading.

Barry C.