Hey Odd fam, namaste (insert prayer emoji). This week's Tuesday activity brought a sense of zen into the work day: a brand new yoga studio opened in downtown Ripon and the Odditeam had the wonderful opportunity to attend a class during its grand opening.
While some of us do yoga often, others have never had the full experience. So, as we walked into the studio we wondered if there would be any handstands involved.
We received the warmest welcome upon entering the studio and dove straight into our afternoon session. We were each given several drops of lemon essential oil that we rubbed into our palms to achieve a state of focus and relaxation. Our teacher then guided us through each stretch and movement with a calming voice. We learned how to take deep breaths and release our tense muscles. As working adults, we often forget that we carry stress in our bodies- especially in our neck, shoulders, and lower back. Sitting at a desk throughout the day can create strain in our muscles and affect our posture. So, remembering to incorporate some form of yoga or stretching in your daily routine can work wonders.
What was most notable about our experience was the discipline of yoga that we practiced, called “yin” yoga. Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga derived from ancient China. It targets your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, and joints. Because you’re holding the poses for a longer period of time than you would in other types of yoga, yin yoga helps you stretch and lengthen those tissues while also teaching you how to breathe through discomfort and sit with your thoughts. We found that it was quite a meditative experience, and we all felt much more calm when leaving the studio.
Maybe next time we’ll try “yang” yoga? Until next time, lovely readers.