Yoga is not new, especially in the rat-race lifestyle, more and more people have practiced yoga, not only does it strengthen our bodies but also calms our minds. To keep in good shape, I used to practice Yoga. Sadly it just lasted one month due to my laziness. ( ˊ̱˂˃ˋ̱ )
After coming to Toyama, I always wanted to do Kendo (Japanese martial arts) or similar sports so that my stiff body, my full of belly fat body must be worked out. Pitifully, this intention was dead in the water after I’d told my former colleagues and got some comments like “You all get soaked in sweat, then it’s too stinky to breathe (＞人＜;)”. It was June, so I gave up. Those who used to spend the summer in Japan must have understood how “comfortable” it was. As a result, my exercise was riding a bicycle whenever I could, such as going to the train station or the supermarkets on the weekends.
Moving to Omu Town (a small town locating in Mombetsu District – northeast of Hokkaido) gives me chances to “deeply understand Japanese culture, improve Japanese and get along with other people by joining local culture/sports clubs”, said my colleague. Because Coronavirus is spreading out and most of the activities are temporarily postponed. Practicing Yoga turns out to be my first experience here. The “old” me still felt eager and fresh, ’cause I was taught online and in JAPANESE ٩( ᐛ )و. Ya, not only is it a chance, but also a challenge for me.
10 minutes before the class, with a little of anxiety, I logged in and got a bit clumsy when there’s no sound (°▽°)l even the camera worked well “How stupid I am”, I thought. However, I felt relief somehow when the other also got confused as same as me since all of us were the new-bees with Online Apps. No need to worry, just relax and GO!! ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶
Looking at the screen and trying to listen to what the teacher was guiding, my practicing went smoothly ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡ with simple poses or movements, for example, “Take a deep breath, exhale slowly but follow your pace”. However, with laying-down or downward-facing poses, I had to keep my head up so often, otherwise, it’s difficult for me to “copy-cat” properly or not sure that it hadn’t changed to another movement.
Thanks to what I learned in Vietnam, I did rather well in general ( ^ω^ ) (I thought so), except for total stretching and the Plank pose. Speak to Plank, it’s surprising that most of Japanese here haven’t known what “Plank” is. Maybe it’s just my thought that “plank” is a common word which everyone all over the world has known. (￣∀￣)
After practicing, I cooked two big bowls of Vietnamese traditional food – Pho, one for me and one for my Japanese colleague as a reward for our “hard work”. I did sign in the relief when she said it suited her taste ( ✌︎’ω’)✌︎ because I’m poor at cooking. I would have worn a sackcloth and ashes if she had had a bad impression on Vietnamese PHO because of my lousy cooking. (*≧∀≦*)
Thanks to Yoga, I did have such a great sleep that night and wake up with the pain in my back and my thighs the following day ( ；∀；). Well, no surprise with a person who loves eating, sleeping, lacks of exercise like me (//∇//). I know that my body needs to work out more often, so once again, I purchase the dream of a flat stomach by setting up a training target – do the 30 seconds Plank every day, at least for one month. Besides, I’m also eager to attend another yoga class with a scenic view around (*’▽’*) – Outdoor Yoga, as the teacher suggested. Does it sound interesting?
If you live in Omu and want to practice yoga, welcome!!! ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡ You could find the information for the class as follows.
| Okhotsk Omu Yoga Homepage https://hanahinayoga.amebaownd.com/ | Okhotsk Omu Yoga Line page https://lin.ee/97mklh0 |
 |  |