It should have been a good class, but I'd had a bad day and found it hard to focus. I started off ok, but concentration got harder as the class progressed. Aside from being a stressful last few days at work, a colleague did something malicious towards me that I found out about at the end of today.
"If you let people steal your peace then you're the loser"...I had this mantra running through my head for much of the class. I should have been using it to meditate, but it was actually a distraction because I was upset. I wasn't mentally focused.
Physically the class was probably fine. But today I could not become detached from these negative events or emotions. The event was too fresh in mind today, so I couldn't turn it off. I can normally walk into a class, and whatever bad thing has happenned, my outlook will have changed by the end of class, and I'll feel completely differently about it. Not today though.
Ideally, things like that would not affect me in the first place. That's what I need to work on.
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Day 14
Today could have gone so wrong, but it turned out well. I won't go into the stress at work except to say I swapped with a colleague to cover her early shift. I had a 6am start so I could make the 4pm yoga class with Sam, but it didn't quite work out that way. I ended up having to deal with a client situation that my boss was treating as doubly important than it really was. Annoying and quite stressful, and meant I missed leaving on time for my class and then had to hang around later than I wanted to.
I made it to Sam's next class though. Wasn't too sure how it would turn out. It could have gone wrong. Maybe I wouldn't be able to keep my thoughts off work. But as soon as the class started I was totally loving it. I went fully into each posture, even Half Moon, which I haven't done since my injury. I started off strong, and by Eagle I could feel the energy running through me. My heart was pumping all through the balancing series, but I was so focused on my breathing that I didn't get tired. By the time it came to the sit ups, I had more and more energy. I felt good in every single posture.
It was the most awesome class, and it's been a while since I had a class that great. I'm meant to get up early for another early shift tomorrow, but don't quite know if I'll be able to sleep for a while. I've noticed though that this week I've naturally been waking up a bit earlier, which doesn't normally happen. A benefit of the challenge, I hope. If it carries on like this I may even be tempted to stick with a daily practice after challenge is over..:)
I made it to Sam's next class though. Wasn't too sure how it would turn out. It could have gone wrong. Maybe I wouldn't be able to keep my thoughts off work. But as soon as the class started I was totally loving it. I went fully into each posture, even Half Moon, which I haven't done since my injury. I started off strong, and by Eagle I could feel the energy running through me. My heart was pumping all through the balancing series, but I was so focused on my breathing that I didn't get tired. By the time it came to the sit ups, I had more and more energy. I felt good in every single posture.
It was the most awesome class, and it's been a while since I had a class that great. I'm meant to get up early for another early shift tomorrow, but don't quite know if I'll be able to sleep for a while. I've noticed though that this week I've naturally been waking up a bit earlier, which doesn't normally happen. A benefit of the challenge, I hope. If it carries on like this I may even be tempted to stick with a daily practice after challenge is over..:)
Day 13
I must admit that it was hard to get up today, when two of my alarms rang at 6am. I'm out of practise getting up for the 6.45 classes. Used to be a regular at them, but these days I like my sleep too much, and often when I have the intention to make them, I end up switching my alarm off and having one more hour of wondeful sleep. This morning, I toyed with the idea of calling in sick to work as my throat was still quite sore, but eventually dragged myself out of bed and to yoga, as I was already awake anyway.
A friend said to me today that after day 10 it's meant to get easier. It's true that I've been enjoying my classes more since day 10. The class today was led by a teacher that I probably find the least inspiring of all my regular teachers. Sometimes in his classes I find it hard to focus. His dialogue doesn't flow that well, and sometimes seems a little all over the place, and although I think he is passionate about the yoga, I don't think it comes across very well when he teaches. I've overheard a lot of people saying that they dislike his class, and many go as far to avoid it.
I think my best classes are those where I can feel the teacher's passion for this yoga, and for helping the students to improve. Hearing that passion in a teacher's voice inspires me. I suspect it also improves my performance in class, and gives me more energy after. I'm lucky to have a bunch of teachers that I completely adore for that reason. Teachers that have inspired me to want to teach myself.
Still I had a good class considering I had just woken up, and as usual, was less flexible at that time. While I love classes with inspiring teachers, I can tune out when it's a teacher that doesn't fall into that category for me. I can't afford to be choosy about whose classes I go to during the challenge. The most important thing is just commiting to a daily practise.
A friend said to me today that after day 10 it's meant to get easier. It's true that I've been enjoying my classes more since day 10. The class today was led by a teacher that I probably find the least inspiring of all my regular teachers. Sometimes in his classes I find it hard to focus. His dialogue doesn't flow that well, and sometimes seems a little all over the place, and although I think he is passionate about the yoga, I don't think it comes across very well when he teaches. I've overheard a lot of people saying that they dislike his class, and many go as far to avoid it.
I think my best classes are those where I can feel the teacher's passion for this yoga, and for helping the students to improve. Hearing that passion in a teacher's voice inspires me. I suspect it also improves my performance in class, and gives me more energy after. I'm lucky to have a bunch of teachers that I completely adore for that reason. Teachers that have inspired me to want to teach myself.
Still I had a good class considering I had just woken up, and as usual, was less flexible at that time. While I love classes with inspiring teachers, I can tune out when it's a teacher that doesn't fall into that category for me. I can't afford to be choosy about whose classes I go to during the challenge. The most important thing is just commiting to a daily practise.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Day 12
I feel GOOD today! Had a good strong class at 4pm. Tired before class, and my sore throat has turned into an infection, I think...but all this forgotten about as soon as I got to class. Still not pushing deeply into postures, and having a mental thing with Standing Head to Knee, but the class was strong nonetheless. Got a fabulous back stretch from the teacher (the one from Day 1) in half tortoise, which gave me so much energy, and I finished on a high. I'm loving her classes at the moment-she brings energy and enthusiasm to the class. Will have to try to make more of them.
Also, my throat feels better now, after class. I'm really hoping that all these illnesses/injuries that seemed to come along as soon as I started the challenge subside and leave me to enjoy the challenge in peace! My Mum even sent me an email today, telling me her Sports Injuries book said the best thing for my rib injury was rest (sure, that probably would have been my approach if it had happened BEFORE the start of 30 Days).
When I give these things a second thought, they seem like obstacles willing me to stop. But I haven't even been tempted to give it up yet, and I'm nearly halfway through now. I think once you get to halfway there's no turning back! In the yoga room, I forget that I'm injured, or sick, and I can just focus on the yoga.
Today I felt calm, focused, and peaceful against the heat of the room, and that is how you SHOULD feel doing yoga. I want to make it to the end, and just hoping that nothing bigger gets in my way...
Also, my throat feels better now, after class. I'm really hoping that all these illnesses/injuries that seemed to come along as soon as I started the challenge subside and leave me to enjoy the challenge in peace! My Mum even sent me an email today, telling me her Sports Injuries book said the best thing for my rib injury was rest (sure, that probably would have been my approach if it had happened BEFORE the start of 30 Days).
When I give these things a second thought, they seem like obstacles willing me to stop. But I haven't even been tempted to give it up yet, and I'm nearly halfway through now. I think once you get to halfway there's no turning back! In the yoga room, I forget that I'm injured, or sick, and I can just focus on the yoga.
Today I felt calm, focused, and peaceful against the heat of the room, and that is how you SHOULD feel doing yoga. I want to make it to the end, and just hoping that nothing bigger gets in my way...
Day 11
I practised with a work friend. We had a nice spot at the back near the door, where she normally goes.
For years I always went for spots at the front, on the hot side of the room. The last few months I've liked to move around the room a bit. It's funny, but different parts of the yoga room bring a completely new experience to a class.
At the front, or even in the second row, you have the advantage of seeing yourself in the mirror. That's nice for the balancing postures, and for checking alignment in general. But there is also an element of pressure. At the front, I feel I should be able to demonstrate all the postures to a good standard, as well as being able to hold the balancing postures so as not to distract the people behind. At my main studio, in central London, capacity is over 70, and it's unusual for a class not to have several complete beginners. Any day that I don't feel 100%, I avoid the front, just in case I need to sit anything out. That doesn't happen much anyway, but I'd feel bad if it did and I was at the front.
Additionally, the spots I used to choose were around the heater. That made the class much tougher, but I used to relish that. I still love the heat, but I also appreciate a blast of cold air from a teacher opening the door. Sometimes in summer, the studio gets so humid that it can be hard to breathe, and the heater area is where you feel that most. I really started noticing that this summer. Probably because this summer I've been practising a lot more than previous ones. In any case, I don't make it a priority to go near the heater these days.
I think my attitude to position in the room changed when I went on a recent yoga holiday to Spain. There we were practising on a yoga deck at the top of a hill (see profile pic), looking out over the Andalucian hills, at farms and orchards in the distance. It was beautiful and calming being able to practise in such a serene place. Before that holiday, I'd already started moving round the room a bit, and that holiday sealed the deal for me...it's no longer important to me where I lay my mat in the yoga room.
For years I always went for spots at the front, on the hot side of the room. The last few months I've liked to move around the room a bit. It's funny, but different parts of the yoga room bring a completely new experience to a class.
At the front, or even in the second row, you have the advantage of seeing yourself in the mirror. That's nice for the balancing postures, and for checking alignment in general. But there is also an element of pressure. At the front, I feel I should be able to demonstrate all the postures to a good standard, as well as being able to hold the balancing postures so as not to distract the people behind. At my main studio, in central London, capacity is over 70, and it's unusual for a class not to have several complete beginners. Any day that I don't feel 100%, I avoid the front, just in case I need to sit anything out. That doesn't happen much anyway, but I'd feel bad if it did and I was at the front.
Additionally, the spots I used to choose were around the heater. That made the class much tougher, but I used to relish that. I still love the heat, but I also appreciate a blast of cold air from a teacher opening the door. Sometimes in summer, the studio gets so humid that it can be hard to breathe, and the heater area is where you feel that most. I really started noticing that this summer. Probably because this summer I've been practising a lot more than previous ones. In any case, I don't make it a priority to go near the heater these days.
I think my attitude to position in the room changed when I went on a recent yoga holiday to Spain. There we were practising on a yoga deck at the top of a hill (see profile pic), looking out over the Andalucian hills, at farms and orchards in the distance. It was beautiful and calming being able to practise in such a serene place. Before that holiday, I'd already started moving round the room a bit, and that holiday sealed the deal for me...it's no longer important to me where I lay my mat in the yoga room.
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Day 10
I'm grateful for days like today. After two tough classes yesterday, and waking up sore and achy this morning, the day turned into a great one. There was nothing particularly special about it, other than it being surprisingly hot and sunny when I finally ventured out at 2.30 for the 3pm class, after having lain in bed for most of the day with the curtains closed, and other than the class I took being exactly what I needed.
I woke up early, feeling the effects of yesterday's classes, as I always do on Sundays after Advanced. I also felt the familiar sore throat that I've been feeling all week, and that's been threatening to turn into something worse. So I spent the morning lying around, trying to sleep more, but not being able to. I was happy to be doing the challenge, and to not even be able to consider the question of whether I'd go to class, as I maybe would normally feeling like that.
Class was not as hot as usual, although hot enough, and the teacher is one that does not seem to hold the postures for that long. After a week of tough classes, and practice with an injury, I was so thankful to have a class like that when I least expected it. I was able to do the postures as I normally would-even full Standing Head to Knee for the first time since the injury! That class was just what I needed, as it actually made me feel normal again. My rib was barely even a consideration. I felt so much better afterwards, than I had the last few days, and it really made me appreciate how this yoga can make you feel. I'm happy that I continued with the challenge this week, against obstacles where I could have easily given up with an excuse. But that would have defeated the reason for doing a challenge like this. It's about being disciplined and focused, and reaching a goal no matter what comes in your way. Not to say that there aren't things that might happen that WOULD make me cut short this challenge, but this week has made me even more determined to complete it.
I woke up early, feeling the effects of yesterday's classes, as I always do on Sundays after Advanced. I also felt the familiar sore throat that I've been feeling all week, and that's been threatening to turn into something worse. So I spent the morning lying around, trying to sleep more, but not being able to. I was happy to be doing the challenge, and to not even be able to consider the question of whether I'd go to class, as I maybe would normally feeling like that.
Class was not as hot as usual, although hot enough, and the teacher is one that does not seem to hold the postures for that long. After a week of tough classes, and practice with an injury, I was so thankful to have a class like that when I least expected it. I was able to do the postures as I normally would-even full Standing Head to Knee for the first time since the injury! That class was just what I needed, as it actually made me feel normal again. My rib was barely even a consideration. I felt so much better afterwards, than I had the last few days, and it really made me appreciate how this yoga can make you feel. I'm happy that I continued with the challenge this week, against obstacles where I could have easily given up with an excuse. But that would have defeated the reason for doing a challenge like this. It's about being disciplined and focused, and reaching a goal no matter what comes in your way. Not to say that there aren't things that might happen that WOULD make me cut short this challenge, but this week has made me even more determined to complete it.
Day 9
Yesterday was Day 9, where I also had to make up for Day 8. So for the first time, I took Beginners and Advanced back to back, something I had been meaning to do for a while.
Beginners was tough. Very very humid, and with a very good teacher, who did not go easy on us. I stood at the back near the windows, and was happy to be close to some air, which felt soooo good, when the windows were opened a tiny crack at some points during the class. I was able to complete most of the class, except the sit ups, which I was still afraid could be a bit too much of a jerky movement for my ribs, and one set of Camel. I definitely did more than I had done since
Monday, and it felt good, like I was physically capable of more.
I showered and changed before Advanced. It just felt better than keeping the same clothes, which I have done the other times I've done classes back to back. I felt like a new person, and not like someone who'd just done a Bikram class! The teacher was one of my favourites again-she really is a great teacher. She gives very precise instructions and corrections, which I really think helps me improve. I felt a bit bad for her, as I was drained for much of the class, and scared of doing anything that aggravated my ribs, so I did sit out some postures that I would normally have a go at. She was the teacher that first invited me to an Advanced class, so in a way I feel like I should make more of an effort for her. Silly really :)
I was disappointed to miss some of the postures, particularly peacock in lotus, which I've been improving at, but I just felt like I needed to sit some of them out. I know that if I push into my injury, or pain, that I could make it worse, and I don't want to spend longer recovering just to achieve a posture that I can do at a later date (maybe next week!) anyway. One of the many benefits of a 30 Day challenge is meant to be improved health, so doing something that could potentially make an injury worse would be detrimental in the long run. It can be hard to acknowledge that, and to tell yourself to stop doing something you normally do, when you normally wouldn't think twice about it, and when you just want to do what everyone else is doing, and because it's fun. But I'm trying to listen to my body...I want to feel better at the end of this challenge, not worse!
It was nice to chat to the teacher and other students after class. One girl is going to Teacher Training soon, which I would love to do. I originally wanted to go to the next one, but other plans got in the way, and I intend to go this time next year now. I was definitely on a high after class, even though I'd been tired for much of class. I was very glad that I'd managed to get through the classes, and had completed Days 8 and 9.
Beginners was tough. Very very humid, and with a very good teacher, who did not go easy on us. I stood at the back near the windows, and was happy to be close to some air, which felt soooo good, when the windows were opened a tiny crack at some points during the class. I was able to complete most of the class, except the sit ups, which I was still afraid could be a bit too much of a jerky movement for my ribs, and one set of Camel. I definitely did more than I had done since
Monday, and it felt good, like I was physically capable of more.
I showered and changed before Advanced. It just felt better than keeping the same clothes, which I have done the other times I've done classes back to back. I felt like a new person, and not like someone who'd just done a Bikram class! The teacher was one of my favourites again-she really is a great teacher. She gives very precise instructions and corrections, which I really think helps me improve. I felt a bit bad for her, as I was drained for much of the class, and scared of doing anything that aggravated my ribs, so I did sit out some postures that I would normally have a go at. She was the teacher that first invited me to an Advanced class, so in a way I feel like I should make more of an effort for her. Silly really :)
I was disappointed to miss some of the postures, particularly peacock in lotus, which I've been improving at, but I just felt like I needed to sit some of them out. I know that if I push into my injury, or pain, that I could make it worse, and I don't want to spend longer recovering just to achieve a posture that I can do at a later date (maybe next week!) anyway. One of the many benefits of a 30 Day challenge is meant to be improved health, so doing something that could potentially make an injury worse would be detrimental in the long run. It can be hard to acknowledge that, and to tell yourself to stop doing something you normally do, when you normally wouldn't think twice about it, and when you just want to do what everyone else is doing, and because it's fun. But I'm trying to listen to my body...I want to feel better at the end of this challenge, not worse!
It was nice to chat to the teacher and other students after class. One girl is going to Teacher Training soon, which I would love to do. I originally wanted to go to the next one, but other plans got in the way, and I intend to go this time next year now. I was definitely on a high after class, even though I'd been tired for much of class. I was very glad that I'd managed to get through the classes, and had completed Days 8 and 9.
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