Your New Best Friend: Yoga

I went to Yin Yoga at the new Community Center. My first yoga class ever was years ago (decades really), right here at the Mountain View Community Center, when I first moved to the Bay Area, so it was fun to come full circle and see how much has changed. 

First of all, that new, improved Community Center is unbelievably gorgeous. I’ve already been there for several different events, and it is so well designed, every detail is perfect, and I think they went above and beyond what was required, so now we must have the best Community Center in the state. 

The lower level of the Community Center is one big room, with a mirrored wall, new laminate wood floor, and lights that can be dimmed, perfect for yoga class. There are about a dozen people in the class, but the room has room for more, and I’m going to sign up, so there will be at least 13 people. 

Yin Yoga is a very gentle, relaxing form of yoga. It focuses on the body’s fascia, or connective tissue. It stretches, lengthens and revitalizes the body at a deeper level. When you walk out the door, you’ll feel taller, really you will. I did. 

Yin Yoga creates straighter posture and more flexibility, while it releases tension from the body and mind, tension that you might not even realize was there. It’s so awesome, that you’ll wish the class was 2 or 3 hours long. 

Bring a yoga mat, a blanket, and a pair of those foam yoga blocks. And wear socks. 

The instructor is Kate Griffin. She’s been teaching yoga for years. I’ve taken private lessons from her and I was thrilled to see that she was teaching for the city. Her voice is soothing and she is so good at describing the poses, that you could even take her class with your eyes closed, just by listening to her description of each position, and you would be able to do it correctly. She watches everyone to make sure they understood the position, and explains to the class how to adjust yourself, so you get the maximum benefit and stretch. Listening to her as she describes how she wants you to relax, and breathe, go deeper into each pose, is like listening to poetry. Oh my gosh… I didn’t want it to end.  

I took a photo of Kate before class started, but, you know, it’s not cool to take pictures during a yoga class, so just that one. 

Here’s a link to the City of Mountain View Recreation Guide for Spring and Summer Classes. Yin Yoga class is on page 62. It super affordable, especially compared to joining one of the yoga studios in town. Here’s a link to sign up for the Recreation Dept newsletter.

So now that the new Community Center is complete, and classes are up and running again, now is the perfect time to sign up for something fun. I suggest Yin Yoga, but there are dozens of other options and I’m sure you’ll find something perfect for you. 

I love Mountain View.