Aloha!
I believe that sports are important for several reasons. First, physical activity is essential for a healthy and mind. Team sports teaches not only the discipline of the activity but also how to play on team, listen to coaches and the abundance of ethics and rule following. Individual sports are great as well because one develops the mindset of “personal best, or pb” while improving on a particular game.
There are as many sports as there are interests. The key is to try different ones to see where your talents appear and what you enjoy. Having said that, my friend Jenny invited me to join her at a Bikram yoga class six years ago and I was hooked. I have enjoyed watching my practice evolve and taken classes in California, New York, Texas and now Hawaii. At first I was unsure, dizzy and frustrated. I am very hard on myself and when I fell out of a posture, my self doubt crept in. Over time I have graduated to the front row; I can hold my poses for the alloted time; I met and practiced with the founder Bikram Choudhury; I went on a weekend yoga retreat in the mountains of Santa Barbara; and met some amazing people along this journey. My pb has changed from when I started to today! I invite you to try this type of yoga. Check it out in your area, www.bikramyoga.com and click on class finder.
My newest sport is surfing. Now I know surfing has been around since it was first observed in Tahiti in 1767, so it’s not new to the world, just new to my routine. While my kids were away for Spring Break, my darling husband urged me to sign up for 10 lessons. I surfed my way through the 10 and I’m signing up for more! It’s so fun and exhilarating. My pb for surfing was going out in 20-30 mile an hour winds and catching the waves with the experienced surfers. Surfing uses all the major muscle groups as well as balance and stamina. I happily read a news article today that sited Bikram Yoga as #8 of the top 10 ways to improve your surfing skills. My goal is to continue surfing while improving my skills and competing in a year.
What are your favorite sports? How did you get started?
Aloha,
Denise