I Didn’t Know I Needed a Room Like That

A beginner’s honest experience with restorative and yin yoga.

The moment I walked in the door, the beautiful scent of incense hit me. Not the kind that makes you cough – something warm, earthy, and immediately calming. A comforting room greeted me. All the fear of trying something new melted away. I felt welcome. I felt like I belonged. I have never – not once in my life- walked into a room and immediately felt calm and welcomed. Until this one.

I decided to try Yoga, not the do-at-home stretches and disconnected poses, but the real thing — a studio, an instructor, the whole experience. I almost talked myself out of it. I could just do it at home. But I needed a space to relax and release – I figured I would give it a try. I expected woo and maybe a good stretch. What I got was beyond belief.

The first class – complete relaxation. The length of the poses, the release of muscles, the focused breathing, they were bliss. The room was full – to the last row – but I felt peaceful. A sense of privacy and centeredness. I was safe.  I went to an evening class, and when I left, I felt so relaxed, not tired or fatigued, but relaxed, that I went home and went to bed. I woke up with a feeling of refreshment that I don’t know if I have experienced. No swelling or bloat.

I imagined it was the instructor, that every class could not be like this. That lightning couldn’t strike twice. My second class was a full release. Here, the breathing was different. There was more visualization. Long holds and acceptance of your body and its limitations. Curiosity and release of thoughts that intruded.

A simple instruction caught me off guard, “hug your knees and give your little self a hug. That child that needs one.” I cried.

A sense of freedom came at the end of this class. I was relaxed but not the same.

The next morning, I felt refreshed and capable. Like a fog had been removed, and my mind was clear.

Two classes. That is all it took. I missed a week because of vacation, and I almost crave it now. I cannot wait to go back. TWO Classes! It wasn’t strength or stretch I needed, it was release. Mind, body, and soul. It was what I needed but couldn’t put my finger on, what my nervous system had been asking for that I was trying to fill with social media and vegging out watching TV. This was a room that kept giving even after I left.

One thing I want to be honest about — my release was immediate. That may not be everyone’s experience. I’ve done a lot of work to get here and my mind and spirit were open and ready. But wherever you are on your journey, if you feel like you need release, I’d still say try it. I can’t promise you what I got. I can promise you that you’ll get something. The simple act of trying something new when you’re soul tired is its own kind of brave.

I didn’t know I still needed a room like that. Maybe you do too.