Man! I love exercising, now! My wife and I have been attending a class called BodyFlow© at our local YMCA's, and let me tell you, my abs have never hurt so good!
It's a class combining yoga, tai chi, and mat pilates. The only objection I can even come up with in the class, is the slight,very slight use of relaxation and meditation techniques from yoga. (The word namuste makes me cringe, but that's usually said at the end of the class, and I ignore it as best I can.) During the relaxation time, instead of "finding my center" and stuff like that, I just begin reciting "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want..." What better thing to meditate on than that?
The biggest thing about it, I thought it would be an "easy" class, as Tai Chi and Yoga are slow, controlled disciplines. Yes, but that's where the work comes in...
Try doing the "crocodile pose": Similar to a push up, but with elbows at your sides, and your body in the lowered position. Hold it there for about 10-15 seconds. "Flow" into "upward dog": Lift your chest and torso off the ground, but don't let your upper legs touch the ground, only hands and feet touching the ground. Hold it for 10-15 seconds. Then "flow" into the "downward dog" position: without letting your body touch the ground, lift your butt up in the air, feet and hands on the ground, straight back and legs. Hold this for about 10-15 seconds. Then flow to the "bear position": Bend your legs at the knees, don't let them touch the ground, and shift your weight forward over your hands. You guessed it. Hold for 10-15 seconds. Repeat the whole cycle 3-4 times. I'll admit, I'm sweating at this point, and this is only about 1/4th of the whole program.
It's really relaxing, but it's also a great form of exercise! At another local Y, they're giving a 7 week class on Tai Chi, which I really want to try!
I'll try to update you all on my progress as the days go by. Get out and excercise!You're body'll thank you.
