Last time I did the class, I did pretty well. Still a few missteps but generally I was getting the hang of the routine. But this weekend, I felt like I had gone back in time and was more uncoordinated than ever. What happened?! I realized, as I was trying to stay in step, that I hadn't been to a step class for a few weeks, between orienteering and being out of town. And that its like a language - you gotta use it or you lose it. And as I was trying to be in step, it dawned on me, it's good that I'm going to the gym and taking these classes, because not only a, I working my cardio (good for hearts and lungs), and weight routines (good for the bones and muscles) and sweating (good for getting a better chemical balance emotionally), it was also good for me mentally - retiring parts of my brain and irking out that important muscle at the top of my body. So I held on to the idea I was working my brain muscle as I stumbled through the rest of the class. It was good I was doing something my brain could do in auto-pilot. And I realized, as I was thinking all this, that I was thinking a lot more during the class. My mind as wandering and making these connections but also not really focusing on the routine which also hurt my coordination. I kept trying to tell myself to focus at the task at hand but for some reason, that morning my mind was all over the place. I like the discoveries my mind s making right now. A lot of aha moments all of a sudden and I'm trying to capture them. And it wasn't like I was ruminating or worrying, but I want focusing where I needed to. I need to figure out if there is something I can add to my morning routine that will help me focus and then release later and let the mind wander for the creative stuff, but then focus again. It almost sounds like an exercise: focus and then wander, focus and then wander. I'll have to figure that one out and get back to you.
Oh, also have to mention I just went to my first barre class. I've been meaning to go and finally made it to the class. A little early so got my cardio in for the day too. I thought I'd like it since I liked the ballet fit, but I was presented with a jarring start of the class. The instructor was nice but then she cranked up the music - modern rock and proceeded to do some really fast aerobic, quasi ballet (but barely) moves all while yelling at the class over the loud music. A stark contrast to the ballet class which was calm and quiet classical music. Just not what I was expecting. I almost wanted to step out after 15 minutes but I've started thinking of ways to do more experiments and thought of this as an experiment - to test out if barre classes are a good fit for me. By the end of the class it quiets down, but she kept yelling at us and was more like a drill instructor than I had experienced before. At first I was thinking this isn't for me. But then I questioned myself, was it really just because the class was hard - I really could feel my core muscles and my arm and leg muscles were like "what the hell ya doin' to us?" So it was a good work out in that sense. I did feel like it easily put strain on your lower back if your form wasn't right. And I wasn't always getting the form right - a lot to focus on right from the start - no easing in. By then end I was happy I stuck it out throughout the class. But I came away from the class feeling quite anxious. I just don't like yelling, especially when the person is yelling at me. I might make it to the class again now and then, but it's not making it onto my regular workout routine. However, there is one other barre instructor that offers a class in the vending that I was also interested in. And I'm going to not discount barre completely and try this other class to see what the atmosphere (and music) is like and see if it might be a better fit. Who knows, the class I went to today might be good fit for me later, but just not right now. I'm still new to exercising and I respond better to warm hugs than drill sargents.
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