YMCA embarrassments and homemade yoga

Recently my family joined the YMCA, sucked in by the no joining fee. We have enjoyed the exercise classes, activities for families on the weekends, the basketball court for Lohn to coach the kids, the gym, and babysitting for my kiddos so I can work out. It has been GREAT! However, having not exercised over the last year has put me up for a few embarrassing situations.

Cycling class- I missed the note that this is an intermediate class. Intermediate. As in "not for Sharon." As I was one of the last to arrive, I got the bike front and center of the class. Within 2 minutes of cycling, I realized that my butt wasn't appreciating the hard seat (seat? more like a thin metal bar.) I managed to last 10 more minutes, and in the best interest of my bottom, I swallowed my pride, got off the bike and left the class. The Cycling Instructor was kind enough to loudly wish me a nice day as I left the room. 

Embarrassing situation #2- I went to work out at the gym on Monday. I enjoyed a leisurely 20 minute workout on the Eliptical, wiped down my machine, and was about to get on a treadmill, when my heart freaked out. I could tell it was going way to fast, so I found a chair and sat down. A YMCA worker must of seen my face and asked if I was ok. I told him something was wrong with my heart. This kind gentleman got a pulse reader on my finger and when it read over 200 BPM, he promptly call the paramedics. Soon, I had all of the YMCA staff standing around me, some sweaty old guy without a shirt, and a teenage girl. Staring. And not caring a lick what these people thought, I said a prayer out loud (rather loud, actually) to God that he would calm my heart. Soon, I felt myself about to pass out, and my hands and feet went numb. When the paramedics got there, my heart had slowed to 160ish, but my blood pressure was 150/120. They stayed with me while my heart calmed down, made sure I could stand up ok, and after I kindly refused a trip to the ER, they left. The YMCA helpers stayed with me and after I assured them I was fine, they escorted me to my van.  As I left the YMCA with my concerned escort, I was lucky enough to pass the cycling instructor on my way out. She stared too.

I have been to the doctor since, he ran a bunch of tests, everything seems fine, but he is referring me to a cardiologist. Oh, and no caffeine, cold meds or cardio exercise until then. He told me to do easy stuff like yoga. So in the spirit of staying healthy, and making sure I make my membership worth while, I got dressed this morning to go to yoga class at the YMCA. When it was time to go, I got all sorts of anxiety about going back to that place. I just couldn't do it. So I stayed home, pulled up a few yoga videos on Youtube and got to meditating and finding the life force in my fingertips. While I was thus searching for my life force in vain, the boys were in the act of killing each other with wooden swords, leaping over my body as they chased each other. As I moved onto the poses, Sylas ran into the room with his sword, saw me, and stopped and stared in confusion. He promptly put down his sword and tried to do what I was doing. He gave up quickly, but the dear boy made sure to pull a fruit loop out of my hair that I contracted from our floor. Each boy as they ran in the room, stopped what their hooting and hollering to stare at me in confusion and then again ran off to play.  When Tamsyn saw me doing yoga, she promptly closed the blinds. When I protested, she said "I am thinking of you, mom." Sweet girl, yes? I do think I managed to inspire her with my poses however, because she went to make us a green smoothie. (Green smoothies and yoga go hand in hand, right? Along with Essential oils. And maybe gluten free pizza.)

Good day, Namaste, and Sharon over and out.