She Says: Yoga Month Day 5 – Bob Marley Friday
I’ve been looking forward to Bob Marley Friday Flow since I decided to do this 30-Day Challenge. It sounds so fun, so very yoga! This was my first time having this teacher, the co-owner of the studio, and it was soon clear that he enjoys sort of a yoga-rock star status amongst the lady practitioners. By the end I even found myself wondering if I had an inappropriate crush on my new teacher! He told us at the outset that Bob Marley gets rotated with other music, and tonight it was Dave Matthews night. It was as if he knew I was coming, as if it was planned for me. Anyway, it was amazing and all that you would imagine it would be.
To get me through this fabulous yoga session I had a yummy spinach salad with a veggie burger and leftover HH Baked Beans.
And some Greek Yogurt for a snack a little later.
I can’t even imagine a more fun yoga class – this new studio has a younger vibe than my other one. I am definitely in love with this challenge! The only thing, and this isn’t really a thing, is that there are so many people there that appear to be my age, but I am super shy and initiating conversation with a group of girls who appear to know one another is intimidating. But…I really need to make a female friend of my own in New Jersey. I need tips and help. How do you make friends in a situation like this?
February 5th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Bob Marley yoga? sign.me.up.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
I’ve jumped on the yoga bandwagon myself! There’s a hot yoga place near me and I love it!
I understand how making “new friends” can be hard. When I lived in NYC and then Paris, I didn’t know anyone and it was very lonely at first. Yes, I had 2 roommates in NYC and we were friends, but with our different schedules, it was like moving there by yourself. What I found to work is just to be nice, which I’m sure isn’t hard for you, and say hi or ask a question. If you continue to go to the same studio, you’ll see them again and just try talking here and there. It’s not always nice, but you’ll feel better, have good conversation and it’ll get easier the more you to it.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
I find it hard to make new friends too. I finally realized that nobody DOESN’T want to make more friends, so I just have to speak up! I tend to not speak unless spoken to and that can make me unapproachable. Even when a stranger (like a grocery checker, etc.) starts a conversation with me I tend to just answer the question in as little words as possible and then not talk anymore. I don’t know why I’m like that because I’m pretty talkative and outgoing otherwise. So, I guess my advice would be to just start talking! Once you get a dialogue going, introduce yourself and see where it leads.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Next time it is Dave Matthews night I am coming with you! And as discussed on the Twitters, I have the same problem talking to new people. I just get so scared which I know is stupid but I can’t help it. We will each talk to someone new! See you Sunday!
February 5th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
I’d be down for Bob Marley yoga… or Dave yoga… or just Dave
February 6th, 2010 at 12:32 am
You do it the same way you made friends in the blog world. Be yourself, start off with small steps, and before you know it you’ll have great friends!
A less vague description: chat for a few minutes about the class with someone who looks like she could be your friend. After a few times of chatting, one of you will feel comfortable enough to suggest maybe grabbing coffee or tea or lunch after class one day. It might be a little awkward at first, but know that EVERYONE feels a bit awkward during the making friends stage which will soon pass!
February 6th, 2010 at 7:36 am
I love making new yoga friends. I don’t usually talk to anyone the first time I see them other than a hello but my studio really encourages everyone to stay and chat so it becomes really easy after a while. I also find it even easier to become friends with the yoga teachers. I now have three teachers that I would consider friends just by reaching out to them. So, speak up!!
February 6th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Dave and yoga….bliss
February 6th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I can totally relate to being shy when it comes to making new friends. I moved home to nj about four years ago and have always wished I had the guts to be one of those girls who make friends at the gym. Four years later and I am still shy, so I can relate. I always wish I had a buddy to run with or do yoga with. If you ever figure out how to get beyond the shyness let me know!
February 6th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I can relate also – its hard to initiate a conversation with people you don’t know! I could stand to make some female friends that are my age as well. Usually, I resort to some type of joke to kind of “disarm” the situation. It usually works.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:28 am
making new friends is so hard sometimes! It’s so much easier if someone else introduces you, but at least you know the girls in that class have yoga + good music taste in common with you
that yoga class sounds like SO much fun!
February 6th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Sounds like a fun class! I would never guess that you are shy because you come across as really fun and confident. I am pretty shy too, and when I moved to Boston had to make all new friends, not easy. Maybe before or after class ask the others about other classes they like there? Or how long they have been practicing yoga there? Maybe that would lead to talk about other workouts like running, and you could have a running buddy or something. If I still lived in NJ I would love to hang out with you!
February 6th, 2010 at 11:32 am
making new friends is really hard. BUT definitely not impossible! the hardest part has to do with yourself. it can feel really awkward and scary, but you just have to put yourself out there. the people who already have a solid group of friends arent usually searching for new buds, so its up to you to make a move so to speak. but once you do, even people with great groups of friends are usually excited and happy to meet someone new.
when i first moved to LA, i made plans with anyone. girls from the office, friends of friends, people i met at parties, my boyfriend’s friends’ girlfriends…you know, a lot of those went nowhere. but slowly certain relationships started to click and now i have a group of the most amazing girlfriends ever. when i moved out here 3 years ago i didnt know any of them! when people ask how we know eachother, its always so funny…ummmm well she had a friend from high school who lived in LA who we met and his ex roommate’s ex girlfriend came to a party and i met her and she had a friend…haha something along those lines!
just talk, introduce yourself, chat about yoga, ask questions. if you find someone who talks back and there is a good vibe, just say, you know what? i recently moved here and dont know many people. would you want to grab coffee after class?
you can do it!!!
February 6th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I bet there are numerous other girls in the class who would love to get to know others, but are shy as well. I agree with just a simple “hello” to break the ice. You know you have at least one thing in common with the other gals and I think yoga is a great thing to have in common.
I think as we get older, making friends is harder. Still, people usually want to make friends and enhance their social life.
The yoga class sounds really great, glad the challenge is going really well for you!!!
February 6th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
I am shy, too, even tho I rarely come off that way. I still have a hard time finding girlfriends that are in similar situations as me. Maybe just try to strike up some easy conversation?? I am not the best one to offer advice here!
February 6th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Making friends is hard! I’m sorry, I don’t have much advice because I am not very good at it either- I always feel like I’m asking someone on a date if I try to say “oh we should hang out some time”
February 6th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I get nervous/shy when it comes to trying to make new friends too. But here’s the thing – for me, if someone acts weird towards me for trying to initiate conversation, they’re not really someone I’d want to be friends with anyway! I know that doesn’t make it any easier, but just something to keep in mind.
I find that complimenting people is a good way to strike up a conversation. You know, say you like someone’s handbag or earrings or something (only if you really like it, obvi
). It shows that you’re a nice, approachable person. Even if you don’t become best friends then and there, you’ll at least be able to say “hi” next time you see the person. Or simple small talk like “man, that was a great class” is a good ice breaker. The thing is, no one has it in their head that they don’t want any new friends. So I’m sure the girls in your class would be more than happy to get to know you! Good luck =)
February 6th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
You have something in common with the women in the room so that makes it a lot easier. At the start of class you can say something like “I’ve never done her class before, what is it like?” or “I loved this class last week!”. Or after class comment on the class, or say how good it felt. Or comment on how good they were at a certain pose. You’ll have friends in there in no time!!
February 7th, 2010 at 10:23 am
So awesome! I would love to go to both a Bob Marley class or a Dave Matthews one. Great yoga music
I’m pretty shy at initiating things as well, but I would agree with above comments, that just asking questions to initiate conversation is a great way to meet people. Before you know it, you’ve moved on to other topics and are getting to know one another.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
[...] Last week was my first Bob Marley Friday Night Flow and it was Dave Matthews playing. This week it was Coldplay, which is clearly not as awesome, but it was still nice (and my friend Suzy came, so that made it extra fun!). [...]