For as long as I can remember, I’ve never been good in exercise classes. In grade school when teams were being chosen for kickball, I was one of those kids who was always picked last (and you thought that was just made-up movie stuff, didn’t you?) It’s true. I sucked at sports. I was such a girl. Dodgeball was terrifying and I’d cower instead of run when someone had me in his sights. In my defense however, kids are downright mean. Who stands 3 feet away from you and throws a ball at your head with all their might? I’m pretty sure that I went to school with a bunch of repressed sadists.
Then came middle school. Volleyball wasn’t any better. I wasn’t aggressive enough to run after the ball and lob it back into the air. There was always someone else who wanted it more, so I thought it was more polite to stand back and encourage my teammate to be the best she could be (how’d you like that clever excuse??)
Softball in high school? Nope. Always ended up in the outfield where I spent a lot of time by myself singing Michael Jackson songs and learning how to make that cracking sound with my gum.
Last but not least, Thursdays were generally saved for gymnastics. We’d drag out those smelly blue gym mats and had to practice cartwheels, somersaults and headstands. Even though I went through the motions, all I could think about was, ‘but, what if I land wrong and my neck snaps in half?’
I ask you, is there truly any wonder why I still don’t know how to ride a bike? I think not.
Here is the interesting thing: I am finding that summer 2011 is turning into the Summer of Me, (which I know, sounds like a really bad title to an Afterschool Special). My weight may not be exactly where I’d like it to be, but sweet, supportive readers of mine – I’m doing some serious movin’ and shakin’ over here, and can honestly say that I’ve done more mentally challenging things in the past couple of months than I have, literally, in years. Kayaking has shown me that I’m not some uncoordinated doofus; taking a fairy garden taught me to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, and becoming friends again with my paintbrush has me reconnecting with my creative side.
Adding to that list, I want you all to know that I DID IT. I signed up for Yoga Classes. And not only did I sign up – because truly, a girl can always just ‘sign up’ and then turn around and talk herself right out of something, am I right? Well, I wasn’t going to take any chances.
I paid ahead.
For a month.
And classes don’t carry over.
So in other words, if I don’t go, then I’ve just agreed to give my yoga instructor a seriously generous tip for doing nothing more than entering my credit card information into her computer system (which seems a bit forward since we just met). Voluntarily taking an exercise class is a HUGE comfort zone challenge for me – and rightfully so, given the awkward, gawky tweenage memories I shared above.
I got out of my car in the parking lot on Monday, I shut the door and repeated out loud, ‘I’ve blogged about this. Can’t back out.’ Let me tell you, it got me into the door. And, I know that once my first class is over, I’ll feel tons better. It’s the initial fear that can be such a manipulator!
My first class begins next Wednesday. I’m looking forward to the day when I can calmly look a bully in the eye and say, ‘Don’t mess with me, buddy. I’m very bendy.’
I can so relate to this blog. I remember the first day of school 8th grade and PE was mandatory. We all had to take our turn at trying to hit a softball with a bat. I’d never held a bat and I did not hit the ball. From that point on I was ALWAYS the last one chosen. Another bad memory was basketball. I did not know what basket ball was. They gave us little colored bibs and I was told I was a guard. What did that even mean? I had no idea but I stood out there like a bleeping idiot and waited for them to tell me to sit down. No wonder I have no love for sports of any kind.
…and we turned out AWESOME, didn’t we, Caron? lol!!
Thanks for your stories. Ugh. Go back and relive my youth? No thanks!
You’re not the only one who was always picked last. At 55, the memory still stings.
If PE classes are anything like what I went through (and I suspect they are), they’re adding to the “health” (notice I say “health”, not “obesity”) crisis in North America by shaming and discouraging many kids rather than encouraging them to move their bodies.
ALL kids need to be guided towards enjoyable physical activity. Most of us are not world-class athletes in the making. Many of us are down-right klutzes. Many of us, for health reasons, can’t safely engage in activities such as running. But we all have a RIGHT to move our bodies though most of us didn’t learn about this right til long after we left school.
So, now that I’ve ranted, I just want to tell you that I can’t wait to hear how your first class goes! I hope you enjoy it and integrate yoga into your life. It’s wonderful!
I completely agree with you 100%. You’d think things would have changed by this day and age, but I still see the same kinds of practices being exhibited from when I was little!
A little nervous about the yoga but am looking forward to it, too!
LOVE this!! I’m smiling when I picture you in yoga class. And as for you past… honey, I was right there with ya! Oh how I dreaded that President’s Fitness thing.
Ugh!! I forgot all about the President’s Fitness Day
Hated, hated that. We had to actually climb rope and ring a bell. Can you imagine? I couldn’t get 3 inches off the floor. It was awful. Not to mention the rope burns.
OMG – the President’s FItness Days – the bane of my existance!
Good luck with the Yoga class, Ellen! Yeah, phys ed class was not my friend, either. It was mandatory up to 9th grade, and after that I made sure it wasn’t part of my curriculum. Of course, in hindsight I wish I’d stuck with it, but when you’re 15, not so much.
part of me wishes I’d gotten more involved in team sports. It was kind of hard when no one wanted me on their team, though! lol
Woo Hoo!!!!! You are a rock star!
And how the heck did you find that Yogi Bear picture. It’s hilarious!
Paying ahead is brilliant. You can absolutely do this and I’m starting now to “see” you having a wonderful time.
hugs…
I hope you’re right, Teresa. I’m taking deep breaths as I type this note back to you. That first step of going in the door will be the hardest. Thanks so much for the support
Hooray for the Summer of You! Yoga now…whatever else that sounds like fun later. Bikes will always be waiting for you anytime you’re ready for it!
I almost drowned in my required swim class in high school. Um, they kinda didn’t bother to check to see if I could swim first! I’ve worked very hard in the past few years to get over that. I know there’s still a lot of work ahead of me, but it’s been well worth all of my efforts so far!
Oh, my! That is terrible, Jenn! I commend you for getting over that fear.
Bikes are still on my radar before summer’s end.
As soon as I get my first chance, I’ll be out there, peddling away!
I’m pretty darn proud of you right now – and you’ve inspired me to start a 21-day yoga challenge (which I’d never done before because I knew I couldn’t finish it, and I hate setting and not reaching goals)! I can’t wait for your recap!
Yay, for you Laura! It will be kind of like doing it together
I wish they had a beginning yoga class before Wednesday so I could just go and get it over with (it’s the waiting that makes me nervous…I just want to DO it, you know?)
Good luck, you’ll love yoga. I just started doing it about a month ago and am so hooked. Wish I could do it every day (well maybe not…). I was the same way with PE and absolutely love running and stuff that I couldn’t do back then. Now I’m not the one getting picked last to do different activities. I love it. I can’t wait to hear about your yoga class experience.
Isn’t it great to see how different we can become from when we were younger? Actually better as we age? What a concept! lol
I’m glad to see that you are enjoying yoga. I expect the same ‘love’ out of it as you have.
Ellen, I hope you love it. I love yoga classes… even as a completely heavy person. No one cares about anyone but themselves there (that sounds bad, but I mean it in a good way), and I guarantee you’ll leave feeling so tranquil and at peace. Yoga classes will IMMEDIATELY reduce any anxiety you’re feeling. I’d be willing to bet yoga several times per week would be better than any medication.
I am more than ready, Michele. I just wish I didn’t have to wait until Wednesday. I don’t like mulling things over once I’ve committed. I like keeping in that momentum, if you know what I mean. Still, I’ll be ready!
Uhhh… a couple things there Ellen…
Telling men that you are bendy is not the word that will get them to back off. Sly dog!
If the boys were hurling the ball at your face from 3 feet away the boys were not at all repressed… then. Probably are as adults.
Now then.
HIP HIP Hooray for forcing yourself to go sign up. I bet you will find you are not at all the doofus you think yourself to be.
I look forward to reading your yoga post.
And as asked: So far I have felt no difference in energy on the iron.
Too funny (and so right on the definition of ‘bendy’) lol!!
No energy difference? Hmm. Were you terribly low, or just slightly low?
We’ll see if I can eliminate my label of doofus on Wednesday.
Um. One more thing. No beans for dinner the night before.
Yeh, I went there. Make sure you don’t. : ))
Oh good for YOU for pushing yourself! The mental barriers we put up are so much tougher than the physical ones.
I was active in sports and teams when I was growing up, and even played softball as an adult, but now I just prefer exercising on my own. Yoga is the only thing that tempts me, but so far I haven’t found a class that looks like me. But my eyes are open!
I’m dumbfounded by all the different types of yoga out there. When the gal who signed me up started rattling off all the different ones I could take, I just kept scanning the class that had the word ‘beginner’ in it and felt that was my safest bet. Hope you are able to find one that suits your needs, Cammy.
First off, I hate that you went through school like that. Some kids can be so mean. Ugh!
And second, yay for signing up and PRE-paying for your Yoga class. Way to commit! Can’t wait to hear about your class.
Thank you, Jan. I hope it goes as smoothly in real life as I’m picturing it in my head! lol
LOVE this!!! And can so relate. Hope you love yoga! I do, it is wonderful mentally and physically. Can’t wait to hear how you like it. All the best Ellen!!! Hugs.
Thank you, Roz. I’m ready – more than ready, actually. I’m hoping it does wonders for my anxiety as well as my lower back. I’ll feel like a new person if it does!
Dodgeball IS terrifying! Lobbing balls violently at other people has never been my style.
Good luck with Yoga! I’m looking forward to joining my new gym in less than a month, as it offers a variety of yoga classes.
That’s great, Ali. I bet you do beautifully in yoga – I can see you trying every different one they offer!
Ahh, I’m going through the same thing! I’ve been trying to take a class at the gym for the longest time, so I will do it with you! Next Week I promise, you as long as you promise to write an update on your first class!!! Just remember there are a few people in that class that are thinking the very same things you are!
Also I Tagged you in the 5 Things blog tag game ! The idea is to write about 5 things that make you feel confident in yourself, be they mental or physical. This is not intended to be a brag session, just a way of putting some positive energy out into the universe. Can’t wait to see what you come up with !
You are on, Yetti! I promise to give an update on my first class – for better or for worse. lol I hope you enjoy your class!
Namaste.
I also want to be bendy! At the moment I just leave stuff on the floor if I drop it!
I’m actually a yoga master, it’s something that I probably haven’t mentioned before but it’s official, my Wii Fit game told me.
Unfortunately, I can only do one pose. It’s called the Mountain Pose. Basically you stand still…..and that’s it. So if you need any advice on that pose, let me know!!
This is so weird Tim, but my instructor had no idea what the Mountain Pose was. I told her she must not be properly trained in British-style Yoga; otherwise she would know that. I showed it to her and she was amazed! She was so impressed, she had me go to the front of the class and demonstrate it. I gave you the credit and the whole class cheered!
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