Yoga
I do yoga, Fearsome puts up with it. He often is amused at me. He was today. I swear I heard him laugh ( yes beards can laugh at their humans ) when the yoga instructor asked me to use the blocks because I had gone too far into the pose. “Shawn, use your blocks for that forward pose, you are going to hurt your back” I heard from across the room. Then I could hear his masculine little chuckle as I turned red, grabbed my blocks and got myself into a better form, more fitting for a fifty something man.
Now I’m getting ready for bed and have 3 Advil on board, a pillow for my legs and just added a Fexeril to the mix ’cause I went too far and the right lower back is smarting. I’m getting no beard sympathy, he just laughs his little chuckle as if I don’t heard him.
I must remember when I’m in yoga I’m not there to prove anything, especially to myself. I ain’t no ballerina or gymnast and never was. I need to stretch, but only so far. Dammit.
Patience is a virtue with other people and also with ourselves. Life’s lessons, learn them take note and remember them. Especially when it comes to yoga class!
Fearsome Beard 
My huge brown beard used to laugh at me every time I would watch reruns of the X Files. So I chopped him off!
Chopped off?!?!? Oh my, say it ain’t so!
Yes! Sadly it had to go. One day he may return but not any time soon.
rut row. bad as spo you are. you need your back; please take care.
This other 50-something on the latter side of the decade would NEVER do Yoga…actually it was in my early 30s when I had two rare hip maladies happen over 3 years that I found out life has been lived with a maximum of 50% range of motion. Go figure. They said back then I could have disability benefits and I flatly refused; didn’t need a wheelchair or ramps or anything, just aquatic therapy and exercise. That, a fantastic massage therapist (to the stars I might add, he’s that good) and an awesome chiropractor have done more than Yoga could ever allow in myself. But then each case is different and results may vary. (There I go again, sounding like a disclaimer. Force of habit; my job.) And yes, the beard and I make water therapy fun – even for the therapists! Let’s go Aqua-dancing! Woo Hoo!!
I always see using the blocks as some kind of failure on my part – and it isn’t, but I can’t break myself of that cycle. I still love yoga, but I’ve stopped pushing myself lately to get into poses that have alluded me, but I need to do this again. When I get defeated in my quest, I take 2 or 3 steps backwards – and that ain’t good.
I’m convinced yoga is an activity that can take me into old age better than any other activity. It sounds like you have a great yogi; hang on to him!
My ex fell and broke his wrist while trying to do crow pose in a yoga class. I never push it when it comes to that position.
I applaud you for doing this. Persevere.