I was thoroughly prepped for my first yoga class. I arrived 15 minutes early in my black pants and cute tank. I figured I should at least look the part when I walk into the studio.
The instructor signed me in and gave me an overview of the class and benefits of yoga. She didn’t specifically mention it taking away migraines, but I took a leap of faith and stepped onto the mat.
We started with breathing exercises then did a series of odd shaped poses. Some of the poses made me feel like I had a third limb or two left feet.
Most of the time I had exactly no idea what I was doing. But it didn’t really matter.
“Keep the breath following with ease,” the instructor emphasized. “Breathing makes the poses and your practice come to life.”
I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but being the eternal good student, I listened. Inhale… exhale… inhale… exhale…
“Release on the exhale.”
As we made our way onto our backs we settled into some incredibly relaxing poses. And with each exhale I felt my body beginning to relax. The kind of relaxation you almost feel guilty about because it’s so self-indulgent.
And then it hit me.
Yoga was reminding me how to relax. Relaxation was not a familiar feeling. I didn’t stop until a migraine stops me.
Maybe that was yoga’s secret to migraine relief. It helped me to actually relax.
As we settled into the final relaxation pose, savasana, I let go. Truly let go.
I couldn’t quite describe the post-class feeling, but I knew yoga was going to help me let go of migraines on an entirely new level. I was going back for more.
