Wednesday, August 27, 2008

YOGA!

I joined our local YMCA Sunday night for the sole purpose of starting Yoga. I have been wanting to excercise for months now (see earlier New Year's Resolutions), but unfortunately, I can't motivate myself to go run, or lift weights. Probably because I don't particulary enjoy running. (You should hear stories from my cross-country running days. As much as I would like to enjoy running, I've never hit that "runner's high" I've heard so many people talk about, and my times were always terrible. You can ask anybody in my family.) But, I just knew if I could take up Yoga I would enjoy it. It seemed like my kind of workout - peaceful, relaxing - yeah, that's my kind of workout.

So, I looked at all the classes all the different Y branches offer, and I chose to go to Hot Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45. Last night was my first night. I walked into the room and it was completely dark except for two very dim lights on both sides. It was also very quiet, and very warm. Thus, the "hot" part. When we started, the instructor played some soothing music, and we slowly progessed from the various positions, or asanas (sp?). The workout (from what I could tell) slowly built up. The most strenous excerises were in the very middle of the workout, and then you slowly work you're way back down. The entire class lasted an hour. At the very end, we laid on our backs and completely relaxed, eyes closed. I didn't realize how relaxed I had become until I moved back into the sitting position!

At the end, I felt I had worked every muscle in my body. I'm looking forward to seeing how my flexibility and strength increase. I'm still learning a lot about it, but it's very focused on stretching and breathing. Best workout I've ever had. I'm definitely looking forward to going back tomorrow night!

Monday, August 04, 2008

If one time is not enough...

Try FOUR times! If any of you have ever had any doubt that we should be singing praises to God, read this ONE verse:

"Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises."
Psalm 47:6

I was struck by this verse when I read it today. As my dad is fond of saying, "If the Bible tells us something once, we should pay attention to it." In this case, we're told four times in the same verse to sing praises to God. It's so simple and wonderfully refreshing. In the New Testament we're told to "sing and make melody in our hearts." So, it doesn't even have to be audible. We can sing praises anywhere.

"Praise Him, praise Him, Jesus our Blessed Redeemer."