I thought after giving my perspective of Matt’s first yoga class that I should get him to tell his thoughts on the experience. From there it turned into a mini-interview about the experience, so here is Matt’s take on his first ever yoga class.    -Jillian

What assumptions did you have about yoga before coming to class?

That it was going to be:
• Lame
• Feeling like everyone would be watching me
• Wondering what I was doing there being a guy and all. I’m not a 20-something girl who keeps up with the trends, so why would I be there?

Matt, on right, with friends going to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Las Vegas

What made you decide to come to a class?

Basically, Jill harassed me into it. At first it was just to get her to stop asking me, but once the anxiety of being in a group passed and I started listening to her and following what she was doing I noticed the hyper-vigilance that I normally have wasn’t there for once.

 Now really, how was it?

Once I got into the groove of things and got over the initial worry of being watched, I started enjoying it. I was actually listening to what Jill was telling me to do with the movements and the breathing. I would definitely go back, it beats drinking to fall asleep 6 nights out of the week. It also gave me a sense of belonging, since most of my friends are scattered across the country.

 Was there anything particularly beneficial about the class that you noticed?

I slept better that night, sleeping the whole night without waking up where normally I wake up 4-5 times a night. I also normally sleep with my pistol next to the bed and I remember this night I didn’t feel the need to have it there.

 What would you say to anyone who was on the fence about taking a class? Specifically the military guys who are considering it?

Just to stop being a hard-ass and give it a shot, it is cheaper and much more effective than drinking every night or any of the other alternative options. It’s as simple as that, give it a shot. 

Matt Shapiola is a USMC Veteran who served in OIF/OEF with two deployments, one to Iraq in 2008 and one to Afghanistan in 2010.  Matt currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.