New Kid on the Yoga Block

Savasana Nirvana by Matthew Coles My first time at Yoga was more strenuous than I anticipated in many ways. Though I never broke a sweat, my muscles were challenged and stretched. They were so stretched that I had to modify several of the moves to keep them from snapping right off the tendons. My tight hamstrings were yelping and I felt their protests for a couple days to come. Despite my constant efforts to keep my frame together, it also felt good, if perhaps in a masochistic way. My reaching and bending and grunting was rewarded unexpectedly when my...

by Matthew Coles “New Kid on the Yoga Block” is a new series written by writer, designer and Yoga novice, Matthew Coles. Matt's column will follow his experiences in beginner yoga. Please welcome Matthew to our stable of bloggers. “Can you touch your toes?” I’ve been asked many times over the years. I reach and reach and don’t usually get past mid-shin. Sometimes, I hear laughter or I’m asked if I was really trying. “Wow,” they often say. “You ought to try Yoga.” I should try Yoga. I’ve thought about attending a class for more than a decade. But now...