Going with the “Flow”

by Kathy Connery

Confessions of a HIIT junkie

Despite over 150 Barre classes in last few years, I never quite got motivated to try the BodyFlow experience. I’m not great at introspection, meditation etc., and had only taken one prior yoga class (goat yoga),  so I didn’t really know what to expect. I’m just not good at slowing down in general, but I had to admit that 2020 was ringing a few stress alarms! I wanted to work on finding gratitude and positivity somewhere in this craziness.

So…I took the plunge and attended my first class….Low lighting and flickering candles!!?  Who knew?! The music was soothing and I could feel my blood pressure going down before we even started. The warm up felt smooth and relaxing. All the movements seem to be connected and well paced, but to my surprise I could feel my tight muscles being challenged. There was more to this than “downward dog”…the only pose I knew for sure! Atmosphere felt so relaxed, and it was easy to focus on lengthening and stretching as its own goal.  Jen’s voice and verbiage helped me concentrate and make the most of each move. I was certainly working, but a different kind of muscle focus that was so enhanced by the music and the pace of the moves.  As I  tried to breath with the poses, it became clear that this was going to take a  bit of  practice.  Jen kept reminding us to do what worked for us and modify accordingly.  At the end of the class,  my body felt spent, but in a good way.  Now for the best part…time to be comfortable, breath in and center ourselves. Low lights and such beautiful music.  I’m  coming back…for all the reasons above, and there are a couple moves that I just have to master. Not official…but in my head it’s the “pretzel pose”!!!  Watch out…because I think this class could be addictive!