So yoga is an activity I've wanted to try for years but never brought myself to actually go and do. Mostly the combination of having spinal issues, being overweight and making a fool of myself had stopped me in my tracks. The gym I attend in fact does yoga classes, but a lot of people are regulars and i'd feel like a fish out of water.
A free booklet I get through the post regularly is the Cardiff times, this is where I first saw Ardour academy advertised. After seeing the advert I went online right away to look up classes, this was 3 months ago mind you.
Classes cover a wide spectrum from salsa to contemporary dance, flexibility classes and many more. The one I thought I'd try was yoga, as one day I would have to bite the bullet and try it.
Being a bit of a panicker I messaged on Facebook beforehand to check if a booking was required or to bring a yoga matt. They responded quickly with no need to book in advance, there were also matts on site and looked forward to my attendance.
The location is convenient for me living in the Roath area, situated in Welfield road. Within the Globe centre and just up the stairs it's pretty easy to find.
The day I attended was the day after my 10-day birthday celebration, everything had been eaten and not much exercise had been done. That same day I thought it was a good idea to treck to town in the heat and also go for a swim. This may have been me trying to do too many birds with one stone.
I didn't turn up alone and took a friend with me to join in the classes for a bit of moral support. She had tried yoga a few times so was a bit more experienced than me.
With peak temperatures in their 20s, it was a warm day, with the walk there making us a bit flustered before we started. When we approached though we had a very friendly greeting by staff as well as attendees. We then were offered some very refreshing water while we prepared at the small little bar.
The class its self-cost £7.50, but if doing more than one class on the same evening there are discounts. This particular class runs on a Wednesday evening at 7 pm. The class is instructed by Mat Roblin, a yoga teacher you may have come across at other classes across Cardiff.
So down the nitty-gritty of actually getting into all these moves i'd seen before, but too scared to try. Matt double checked that none one had any injuries that may restrict their ability, but put me at ease assuring me of alternatives if needs be.
The first moves we did where very similar to those I had done in physiotherapy. Such things as lying on your back and holding your knees losing your hips and back. Other moves I was familiar with moves know to some as bird dog and cat-cow, which are great strengthening exercises.
Slowly the exercises started to get a bit harder with what I would describe as getting in a v shape and doing mini crunches. Other much harder moves include plank, then what I would call a side plank.
At one point Mat said to close your eyes and feel your toes, fingers and the sweat dripping down your body. I'll tell you now I have never sweated so much in a class before. All I can say is yoga is a lot harder than it looks.
There are many relaxing points though where you're lying down just focusing on your breathing. At the end especially when your eyes are closed Mat comes around places his fingers on your temple and then on your shoulders, to help you relax and calm down at the end.
Overall it took me a whole 3 days to recover from yoga, who'd have thought. The muscles I had forgotten about yoga had found them and shown them who was boss. It had now taught me the importance of stretching and how much it can have an effect on your body. I will be returning at some point but possibly when I have brought my fitness levels up a bit more.