I attend a 120-minute Complete Yoga Class at the Vikasa Yoga Center every morning. These are the first in-person classes I’ve taken and I want to improve my postures (asanas) and skills. I’ve already learned a few new positions and the assistant comes by and adjusts me body occasionally during the class. She said “I had a solid practice” for only practicing with an online class. The woman leading the class today was a striking, tall, Australian with great flexibility and strength, an inspiration for me! Yesterday’s class was also good with the added twist of instructor singing. I learned a seated frog pose. I think being a man with a higher center of gravity I couldn’t get as low as I could. It felt great for my back. Today I did a backward bow with my head still on the ground for the first time. I am not sure if I can get to look like the pictures below.
I’ve noticed that there are very few men that practice yoga. I always thought it was boring until I reached my mid-50s. Now I see the benefits of it and want to continue building my flexibility, balance, and strength. Thailand is a Buddhist country but yoga is Indian and I noticed a statue of Ganesha at the front of the yoga studio. He is the “remover of obstacles” so hopefully he can help me push through my tight body to become even more flexible and strong.
Going out for my yoga class every morning gives me a chance to see a bit of the island. I met the taxi driver Ai on my first day. She was telling me about her life. She works every day from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM driving a cab. Her husband also drives a taxi. They are here on Samui earning more money than in their home village. Ai’s daughter is living with her grandmother in the home village. She is looking forward to returning to her hometown next month for a festival. It must be tough to be away from your daughter. I feel fortunate that my job allows me to spend a lot of time with my kids.
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