Checking in

[blows dust off Typepad dashboard]

So, this thing is still here, huh? Hi! Good to see you!

It's kinda hard to know what to write here, these days; doing the discreet, ethical lawyer thing means I can't really say anything about my job -- which I do continue to love; my co-clerk is awesome, my judge is awesome, and they seem happy to have me around so far. But that's about as far as it goes. Will have to think about what to do with this space if I'm not going to bitch about work...

Well, I get sworn in as a lawyer Monday, assuming I get the right forms in to the local bar office tomorrow (now that I have completed the Ethics-for-New-Lawyers course my state requires of all new attorneys. It was sort of amusing listening to the experienced-in-other-jurisdiction lawyers sitting behind me, grumbling about some of this state's quirks, especially about lawyers getting their money). I face a bit of a dilemma, though: do I register as active or inactive? Because I can't actually practice law while in this clerkship, and then I'm moving one state south for the second clerkship, so I certainly won't be practicing in my current state then, either. It's probably cheaper to register as inactive, because you don't have to do CLEs and I think the dues are less. But it feels sort of like a let-down to get sworn in and then NOT actually be eligible to practice.  

The one thing I will say about work: I find I really really REALLY like leaving my work AT WORK. Evenings and weekends haven't been this much fun for a long long time. Although I still do my share of sitting on the laptop surfing, I find myself really wanting and trying to find something fun or interesting or worthwhile on which to spend my time. I have been cooking a little bit more. I'm scheduled to start volunteering at the local (amazingly huge, professional, and awesome) animal shelter. I've even, god help me, bought a pass to a yoga/spin studio literally a 10-minute walk from my apartment. (I haven't been cleaning or keeping up with laundry . . .  but hey, you can't have everything.)

So, actually, that leads to my question. I am a 99% newb at yoga (I have attended something like 3 yoga classes -- as in, individual class sessions -- in the last 20 years) and a complete newb at spinning. This studio has beginner's classes in both, thankfully, but I was wondering: those of you who are old hands at yoga and spinning, what should someone who's never really done yoga or spin know before walking into her first classes?? Bonus points for keeping in mind that I am 1) incredibly out of shape, 2) very inflexible, and 3) about 30-40 pounds overweight. But I'd really like to find active activities that I do because I like them, not because I should, so am trying to get the most out of this!

Comments

[Repressed Librarian]

I don't have anything helpful to say about yoga. I found spinning to be a little intimidating for the first few classes. Getting the bike adjusted properly took a bit of practice for me. Also, perhaps most importantly, it was quite painful on the ol' posterior the first few times. The very first time, I thought I'd never be able to make it through the hour, let alone do it on a regular basis. But the adjustment only took about three sessions, then suddenly it was awesome (with no butt pain!). I'm not doing it now, but spinning is probably my all-time favorite class, and I look forward to doing it again in the future.

[clio's disciple]

I would say start with a beginners' yoga class and tell the instructor exactly those three points. A good instructor should be able to show you how to do poses at the level you are at, inflexibility and all. Remember the goal is to gain strength and flexibility gradually, and don't compare yourself against others in the class.

[loyal reader]

If you're going to do spinning make sure you wear padded bike shorts and very firm shoes. My wife did one spin session in unpadded tights and she was EXTREMELY uncomfortable. Also note that in spinning classes you are going to sweat. A LOT. Good for you with the exercise thing.

[NegCap]

Spinning is AWESOME. But yes, hard for the first couple of classes; make sure you get someone to help you set up your bike first. Also, the first 2-3 times will probably suck because you're not used to sitting in that position. The great thing about it, though, for the out of shape and/or overweight (like me, still carrying around diss. fun...) is that NO ONE KNOWS how much resistance you actually have on. So you can get through the class working as much or as little as you please, really.

Both activities are highly instructor dependent, so be ready to go to a bunch of first classes until you click with someone. There is a certain kind of instructor I can't handle while working out (perky, motivational) that others like a lot. It's just an individual thing. And with spinning, they pick the music, and I'm picky about that, too.

[Carin]

As an overweight, middle-aged person with joint problems who took up yoga as a novice, I can report I had no problems in attitude or in keeping up with class when I signed up for an absolute beginners' class. I found Yelp reviews to be helpful about different studios' and instructors' suitability for beginners. I've found studios in two different cities now that are very welcoming and have instructors who are knowledgeable about anatomy, always ask about students' individual issues before starting class, and offer accommodations (adapted poses) if there are things you have particular problems with. I've pretty much decided yoga is not for me and I like Pilates better, but that's personal preference. (Easier on the shoulders, if much harder on the "core", with no pretense at all that meditation or enlightenment will happen.)

[Alice]

With spinning, it's important to remember that YOU control your bike, not the instructor. So if they tell you to dial it up, and you can only go a symbolic amount harder, do that. Don't worry about what other people are doing, as long as you're pushing yourself. Also, remember at the beginning that it's an hour long class, so don't wear yourself out in the first ten or fifteen minutes. Pace yourself.

I can spin fine in plain old workout pants, but I do know people who prefer cycling/tri shorts. If you end up liking it and it's financially feasible, I would actually reccomend cycling shoes (most of the gyms around here have SPD pedals on thier spinning bikes). That's a personal preference though (my feet fall asleep in toe clips no matter how I adjust them).

As for yoga: don't be embarrased, and don't push anything to the actual "pain" point. It should be uncomfortable, but it shouldn't hurt.

(Also, this is a weird first post for me to comment on, as I've been following your blog for quite a while. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy it.)

[Notorious Ph.D.]

For yoga, yes: beginner classes first. When you find yourself getting frustrated with them, or just want a greater challenge, that's the time to move up.

There are also some important positioning points that will help you get the most out of your practice. When you go to your first yoga classes, let your instructor know that you're new, and that you'd deeply appreciate any adjustments s/he sees fit to make.

Finally, keep in mind that yoga is not about "pushing" in the same way that other exercises are. You should finish a class feeling like you've been challenged, but not frustrated or upset. And if a yoga teacher starts hectoring or berating, walk the fuck out immediately.

Feel free to e-mail me off-list if you want. This is one thing I enjoy talking about.

[joy]

Is it true? Really? That my weekends might be my own again some day? Say it's so!

I have no advice on the yoga or spinning, since I've never done either, but I do have experience recommencing exercise after a long, very inactive hiatus, and I second what others have said about pushing yourself enough that you feel some discomfort, that you're doing some work, but not so much that it's truly painful. I have found that I actually (to my great surprise) enjoy running, as long as I take a little walking break in the middle of my run and don't compare myself to others at all. You may find the same thing with spin and yoga--more enjoyment if you're doing it at your own pace for your own reasons.

[Pilgrim/Heretic]

One thing I really love about yoga, as a kind of competitive person, is that regardless of the class, you'll be better than most people at some things, and worse than most people at some things. (I know, you shouldn't even be comparing yourself or paying attention to other people at all, but hey, sometimes we do.) Some people are good at balance but not very strong, or strong but not very flexible, or whatever combination you can imagine... and in every case, there are a whole bunch of options for every pose that depend on your interests and abilities, so it's very adaptable.

The other thing is, when you choose clothes, practice a little with your T-shirt first. I have shirts that I thought would be great for yoga, but they ride up my waist more than I thought, or droop to my chin too much if I'm bending over (and the studio where I usually practice is too chilly for me to really like the sleeveless V-neck kind that all the yoga catalogs sell). So pick whatever you think you'll wear, and bend around in it enough to make sure it moves the way you want it to, before you go! :)

Bringing a hand towel isn't a bad idea either, if you tend to get at all sweaty.

[What Now?]

No advice on spinning or yoga, but I'm so glad that you're loving your job! For the second clerkship in the next state south, does that mean that you and NLLDH are going to be long-distance again for awhile?

[af]

The other thing about yoga is that teachers vary a lot as to how much they talk about meditation, breathing, "chakras," etc., so that's another reason to check out a few classes. Some are just like regular exercise classes, but others try to focus on the other aspects of yoga.

Definitely wear comfortable stretchy long or 3/4 length pants and a close-fitting but stretchy shirt. I wear shirts to yoga that are too snug to wear elsewhere because it's very annoying to have a shirt shift around when you're leaning down or something.

Although you can usually drop in to yoga classes, if you can get into a class at the beginning of a session, that's a great time to learn the basics. Have fun!

[Angela]

Love yoga. I'm a BBW and I can do it, so I know you can too. Just do the best you can and you can do all of the modifications you want. Some of the stuff I couldn't do standing, so I would do them on my knees instead. No one is watching you - just do what you can. And do tell the teacher you're new.

Best of luck!

[New Kid on the Hallway]

Thank you, everyone! These comments are incredibly helpful - I really appreciate it! I'll report back after my first forays...