Savasana
Last night, I experienced my first runner's high in at least 4 years -- when last I did any serious running whatsoever; more like 5 or 6 years, likely.
And I didn't run a step.
First, I'm not sure the once much vaulted "runner's high" exists -- the idea that the flood of endorphins into yer brain during long periods of running produces a physiological "high." Don't know anyone who has experienced any true physiological buzz from running, but I do know legions, me included, who have clearly experienced a kind of euphoria or psychological well being (in the moment, I mean) as a result of running.
And last night I had that giddiness, that total sense of well being, that physical space where the body feels open, the joints are working and unrestrictive, where one is actually aware of soft tissue working to propel the body. And I actually laughed out loud, alone, on a busy Toronto street corner.
But, I didn't run a step.
I did 70 minutes of yoga.
I had muscles shaking, begging me to just rest but I resisted and won (let's not talk about how much "cheating" I did in some of the more, ahem, challenging postures). The final 10 minutes, spent in the corpse pose, was nice icing. This included the rubbing of scented oil on my forehead and temples by the yoga leader as I lay in the total relaxed state of the final posture. It was 70 minutes of peace in mind and body.
It was when I was walking home that I realized I was feeling exactly as I used to following a 3 hour run -- "could lay down on the sidewalk and sleep" physical and mental fatigue, but still mentally energetic at the same time, along with a profound sense of accomplishment (is the best way to describe it).
In any case I absolutely found some bliss at yoga last night. Sadly the instructor teaches but once a week. It was also my first Ashtanga session since starting yoga again and its particular emphasis on physical work appeals to me. It was wild to sweat that profusely and to not be obviously "working."
And I didn't run a step.
First, I'm not sure the once much vaulted "runner's high" exists -- the idea that the flood of endorphins into yer brain during long periods of running produces a physiological "high." Don't know anyone who has experienced any true physiological buzz from running, but I do know legions, me included, who have clearly experienced a kind of euphoria or psychological well being (in the moment, I mean) as a result of running.
And last night I had that giddiness, that total sense of well being, that physical space where the body feels open, the joints are working and unrestrictive, where one is actually aware of soft tissue working to propel the body. And I actually laughed out loud, alone, on a busy Toronto street corner.
But, I didn't run a step.
I did 70 minutes of yoga.
I had muscles shaking, begging me to just rest but I resisted and won (let's not talk about how much "cheating" I did in some of the more, ahem, challenging postures). The final 10 minutes, spent in the corpse pose, was nice icing. This included the rubbing of scented oil on my forehead and temples by the yoga leader as I lay in the total relaxed state of the final posture. It was 70 minutes of peace in mind and body.
It was when I was walking home that I realized I was feeling exactly as I used to following a 3 hour run -- "could lay down on the sidewalk and sleep" physical and mental fatigue, but still mentally energetic at the same time, along with a profound sense of accomplishment (is the best way to describe it).
In any case I absolutely found some bliss at yoga last night. Sadly the instructor teaches but once a week. It was also my first Ashtanga session since starting yoga again and its particular emphasis on physical work appeals to me. It was wild to sweat that profusely and to not be obviously "working."
posted by Heipel at
1:43 PM
3 Comments:
wow...it sounds really good...keep doinging it...good for you!!/
man that is the best news i've heard from you in ages. And that is without any sarcasm or cynicism at all. I love that you've found something that might replace what youi've lost. Congrats my friend.
It was a long time ago when I experienced runner's high. It was when I was in senior high. The senior high I went was publicly (prefecturally) founded school, not a private one. The school always respected its traditions since the school opened about 100 years ago. Yep, it was an old school. In my senior high, students, who practice both physical and academic field evenly, were well treated. I wasn't one of those "good" student. I hated sports and excersize at school. Anyway, we had 10k marathon in a big park (where there was a stadium that held World Cup 2002) every winter! I really hated it. A day in January was always sunny in Osaka. You might have thought I could have just skipped the school for the marathon day. Well, we had to run 10k at school (50 laps of 200 metres track) later if we were absent because of whaever reasons. I preferred to run in the park (3 laps of the ring path in the park), so I ran anyway. In the second year, it happened to me. It was so much fun to feel high from running. I thought I could have gone further and further.
Well, I hate running. But, I like feeling runner's high.
Good for you, Steve! :)
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