No Pain No Gain

I cheekily hopped into bed last night.  I was bragging to myself that my morning of Fitbox and yoga had no effect on this old body of mine. 

After what I thought was a good night’s sleep I awoke, rolled over and I felt I had been hit by a  train!  Everything hurt.  I rolled out of bed.  I groaned.  I moaned a little more.  There was a big day ahead. 

What had I done yesterday?  For the first time in many years there I was running, yes running around the room with girls so much younger than me!  There were repeated push ups, mountain striding (an exercise on all fours) plus boxing and kicking exercises on the punch bag.  I hadn't done that before!

Just to be smart I followed my Fitbox lesson with a yoga class.  Mel had already done her session in the gym and joined me for the yoga class. I've never done yoga before and neither had Mel. I know Mel had done one class of Pilates a few months ago and never went back.

The supple young instructor started our lesson with soothing music and relaxation.  Easy I thought.  Lying on my back for an hour, I could do that.  Then all sorts of crazy things began to happen.  There was the downward dog and other weird names for body positions I haven't done since I was seven.  I am sure we did each of them a hundred times.  There were balancing acts which involved getting up from lying position on the mat to standing in one fluid move.  I could only achieve it by; stumble, pull, stumble, wince (mutter) and rock into what appeared a balanced action.  At least I hoped.  The end result was the same but it included five extra steps!  Mel was contorted uncomfortably.  I thought to myself it will get better for her.  By the time we had finished I thought a swim in the pool would suit her much better. 

The hour passed as I checked my watch.  Surely it would finish soon?  Everyone was in deep relaxation.  I was thinking about what to have for lunch.  We were instructed to straddle our body up against the wall with our head on the floor and our feet half way up the wall.  Everyone was relaxing and thinking happy thoughts, except for Mel who looked at me sideways and grimaced.  I had no idea how I was going to get down.  I hoped no one was looking as I uncurled myself with a thud!  It was now thirty minutes past the hour.  I was bored and I tried convincing myself it could only get better.  As we finally finished I was the first through the door with my mat under my arm.  I didn't stop to wonder if my mat would ever touch that floor again.  I have a week to convince myself to return.  It can only get better, or not!