Five months ago, pretty much to the day, I attended my last in person yoga class at the studio I’ve been practicing at for the last 7 years. It was that last weekend of normalcy in mid-March, before everything started shutting down. It would have been St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and my husband, the wise sage that he is, suggested that we go back to the local Irish pub that Saturday to listen to the live Irish rock band, because we might not be back out for awhile. I can’t believe how right he was that weekend in mid-March. We went back to the Irish pub that Saturday night, sat at the bar, had a few beers and enjoyed the live music.
The next morning I went to my normal 10 a.m. yoga class. It definitely wasn’t as crowded that morning. And later on that afternoon, the yoga studio announced via Facebook and e-mail that they were cancelling classes due to the COVID-19 virus. The studio, like many businesses, quickly pivoted to offering virtual classes. I did a ton of them, maybe not as many as I should have considering how many they offered, and I probably should have paid for them using my class passes instead of just doing the Facebook recordings later. Sorry, guys, I did have the best intentions, as always, but there was a pandemic going on!
Since our state has started lifting restrictions, the studio has offered outside classes in this courtyard down the street from the studio. I’ve gone a bunch of times — it’s been amazing to be able to practice outside and with other people.
Today was my first day back inside at the studio for a class. And it was the same class from that Sunday 5 months ago — same day of the week, same time slot and same instructor. It was so strange that 5 months has passed since I was there last. And now they are limited to 10 students plus the instructor. There are white taped lines on the studio floor so you know where to place your mat so everyone is spaced over 6 feet apart. You have to bring your own blocks and straps to class, and wear a face mask until you are on your mat. It’s a different experience that’s for sure!
But it was good to be back today, normal almost. It was a good workout, but damn did I forget just how hot a heated yoga class can be! Thank goodness I brought a towel, because I needed it. I’ll probably need the next 5 months just to get reacclimated to the temperature of hot yoga classes!
Notes from a Self Quarantine 