I gotta admit I was skeptical. I’m a 6’3, 225 pound guy who’s played basketball his entire life. In high school I played against future NBA All Stars Elton Brand and Ron Artest. However as I got older, and the people you play with begin to dwindle, I was looking for a new avenue for exercise. I’m not one of those huge muscle-heads who loves going to the gym, veins bulging as I lift weights and check myself out in the mirror, before going home to indulge myself in more protein-overload. I’m also not very self-motivated; in other words if I need exercise and know I need exercise and even have the means to make it happen, I’ll find every conceivable excuse to put it off.
So I needed a new challenge. When I was younger, I took swimming lessons. The instructor made me an example in front of the rest of the class about what not to do, and I actually still don’t know how to swim to this day. I was sort of scarred from that experience and rather reluctant to join a class, for fear of the teacher making me look like a jackass.
So I decided to give this yoga a try based off some information I found. After showing up with as much yoga experience as a homeless drunk, I explained to the instructors when I first arrived that I didn’t know what I was doing but that I was fairly flexible. The instructors were great. 15 minutes before class began they took the time to walk me through the basic poses and what to expect. Ok I was ready! So 15 minutes later as class began and they said “child’s pose” I had forgotten everything. But the point to all this was that it didn’t matter. I was able to emulate a couple other people for the class and the class was never interrupted for everyone to see what I was doing wrong. In other words the instructors encouraged you to “move at your own speed.”
I have to say I wasn’t prepared for that first class. One hour of stretching poses I’ve never really done I almost felt like stopping halfway through. But I’m a tough guy and couldn’t let the girls in the class see they were somehow better at this than me. So I persevered and got through it. Subsequently I was incredibly sore the next 4 days.
Since that day back in August I’ve continued going at least once a week to Hosh Yoga classes. The classes take place right on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York. Even though I live in New Jersey I gladly make the trip out there for several reasons. First off the workout is tremendous. Yoga really helps tone the core muscles that I desperately need worked on. Secondly I’ve made a lot of good friends from the class, both instructors and fellow classmates.
Lastly they say the best things in life are free. Brace yourself for this, Hosh Yoga as of now is actually a free New York City yoga class. Ok you’re supposed to make donations since it is a non-profit organization and I most certainly do. But for any yoga doubters out there, who’ve never tried this before, I insist you give it a shot at Hosh Yoga, and only Hosh Yoga. You have nothing to lose by attending a session, but a lot to gain in personal growth as a result. Most NYC yoga classes you obviously must sign up and pay for. But what if yoga’s not for you or what if you’re a yoga novice like I was? Wouldn’t it be better to try NY yoga before committing the money to a class? It’s like buying a car without test driving it. Who would do that? Do you want to feel better about yourself and improve your physique? Then this yoga in Brooklyn is for you! Ok I’ll stop promoting it but you get my drift.
Hosh Yoga is a phenomenal resource- just read my Yelp review. So if you have doubts like me, give it a go. It’ll really impact your life positively in so many different ways.
