The last few days have gone quickly. Bank holiday weekend has seen a whirlwind of four classes as I count down to my holiday in three days. I've kept up a class to every day since the start of the challenge, with a couple of days off last week, but some doubles thrown in that evened out the number.
So that's 39 classes so far. I should make it up to 42, maybe 43 by the time I get on the plane and jet off to Brazil. I'm trying to get in as much yoga as possible before I go because of the anticipation that I'll be going without for a while (probably for 12 days). There's no Bikram studio, and only a few other studios listed in Rio. Probably I won't have time for it anyway, as there's quite a lot of activity planned already. But I know I'll miss it, and I'm actually slightly worried about not doing it for that long. I don't want to regress! I have the CD on my ipod so hopefully I will feel inspired to do that at least a few times.
It's quite possible that I've been having good classes the last few days because of the thought of not having easy access to yoga for a while. The last few days have been fun classes. Not necessarily because I've been doing my best postures, but just because I've been enjoying them lots.
Today I felt strong. I was still a little stiff from Advanced on Saturday, but I had the best class for a long time. I was actually falling out of the balancing postures a little, but was energised the whole way through. The posture I've noticed the biggest leap in since the challenge is Locust. All of a sudden my legs are up sooo much higher than they ever were before. I must admit I took a sneaky peak at the end of the second set today, as it felt like I was quite high up...and I was! I mean not vertical or anything, but it was significantly higher than I was a few months ago! That was one posture where I seemed to push and push for ages, and not progress before, until now. I think that's because of the challenge!
Amber and I met in the middle at the North studio yesterday, along with her other half, and had another good class with the funny lady teacher. We just had time for a juice afterwards, before I had to rush off. She's leaving soon, which is sad, as we've just started hanging out after class at our little juice cafe. A few months from now we'll both be living far apart and won't be able to do Advanced together anymore. She's doing TT next Spring, which I'd also love to do, but I think I'm more likely to go to the one after. I need to make a decision on that, but it needs to fit in with everything else happenning in my life! More on that later though...this has been a bit of a ramble and I have to eat!
Monday, 31 August 2009
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
The Breath
Hmm...I guess now I have to think of titles for my posts every time, rather than just falling back on the easy 'Day X' choice!!
I had a day off yesterday. I hadn't really intended to, but I took the lazy option rather than heading to the 7pm class after work. I wanted to see how it would feel to have a day off. Or at least that was what I told myself! Well anyway I felt lazy all evening, and restless. It was weird, after doing 32 classes in the last 31 days, to suddenly take a break. I probably had some extra energy that I could have done with using in a class.
Still the gap made today's class extra special! I was aching to get to class all day, still restless. I left work a little early to make the 6pm class with Nina, who'd said she was going to help me correct Balancing Stick next time she saw me.
Restless as I was, I wasn't sure how class would turn out after a day off. I know that sounds ridiculous. I mean it was only ONE day!! But I've really slipped into the routine of the daily practice, and not only that, but I've been enjoying it. So it didn't feel right to miss a day. When I got to class I felt like I hadn't been there for ages!
Today was hot. Very hot. Full, and tough. It was one of those days where you start to feel slightly lightheaded by or around Eagle. I wanted to have a good class so as soon as I had that feeling, I knew I had to turn my entire focus to my breath. As the Standing series progressed it was getting hotter and hotter, and I was feeling more dizziness. But by completely concentrating on my inhales and exhales I was able to complete every posture to a pretty good standard for me. Inhale for 8...exhale for 9....and so on.
Many people were sitting down, and at some points my heart was pounding so hard that I felt like it too, but I kept sending my mind back to my breath, and I was able to stay quite focused. It fascinates me how you can use the breath to focus your mind, and bring stillness. By Tree, I felt the posture calming me and my breath becoming more relaxed and slow. That posture is a godsend at that point in the series, when I'm often feeling ready to collapse. It has a beautiful calming effect.
It was a good class, and afterwards, as I was practising some other postures, Nina came up to me and got someone to help her correct me in Balancing Stick. She did the thing where they pull me from each end. It was the first time I'd had that done, and it definitely felt weird. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to stretch from fingers to toes quite that much on my own, but it did feel good!
I have to go to bed now, as I'm aiming to get up for the 6.45am class tomorrow. I hope I actually get up in time for it! The good thing about the challenge is that the motivation part is done for you, so when your alarm goes off at 6am youjust get up if you have to. Now the challenge is over I'm just hoping that I'll have enough motivation to drag myself out of bed at that hour! I need to find a new routine now I'm not doing the challenge anymore. It will be interesting to see what happens...
I had a day off yesterday. I hadn't really intended to, but I took the lazy option rather than heading to the 7pm class after work. I wanted to see how it would feel to have a day off. Or at least that was what I told myself! Well anyway I felt lazy all evening, and restless. It was weird, after doing 32 classes in the last 31 days, to suddenly take a break. I probably had some extra energy that I could have done with using in a class.
Still the gap made today's class extra special! I was aching to get to class all day, still restless. I left work a little early to make the 6pm class with Nina, who'd said she was going to help me correct Balancing Stick next time she saw me.
Restless as I was, I wasn't sure how class would turn out after a day off. I know that sounds ridiculous. I mean it was only ONE day!! But I've really slipped into the routine of the daily practice, and not only that, but I've been enjoying it. So it didn't feel right to miss a day. When I got to class I felt like I hadn't been there for ages!
Today was hot. Very hot. Full, and tough. It was one of those days where you start to feel slightly lightheaded by or around Eagle. I wanted to have a good class so as soon as I had that feeling, I knew I had to turn my entire focus to my breath. As the Standing series progressed it was getting hotter and hotter, and I was feeling more dizziness. But by completely concentrating on my inhales and exhales I was able to complete every posture to a pretty good standard for me. Inhale for 8...exhale for 9....and so on.
Many people were sitting down, and at some points my heart was pounding so hard that I felt like it too, but I kept sending my mind back to my breath, and I was able to stay quite focused. It fascinates me how you can use the breath to focus your mind, and bring stillness. By Tree, I felt the posture calming me and my breath becoming more relaxed and slow. That posture is a godsend at that point in the series, when I'm often feeling ready to collapse. It has a beautiful calming effect.
It was a good class, and afterwards, as I was practising some other postures, Nina came up to me and got someone to help her correct me in Balancing Stick. She did the thing where they pull me from each end. It was the first time I'd had that done, and it definitely felt weird. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to stretch from fingers to toes quite that much on my own, but it did feel good!
I have to go to bed now, as I'm aiming to get up for the 6.45am class tomorrow. I hope I actually get up in time for it! The good thing about the challenge is that the motivation part is done for you, so when your alarm goes off at 6am youjust get up if you have to. Now the challenge is over I'm just hoping that I'll have enough motivation to drag myself out of bed at that hour! I need to find a new routine now I'm not doing the challenge anymore. It will be interesting to see what happens...
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Days 30 + 31: The End
Well, I did it! Today is Day 31, and I did go to class today, so that makes 32 classes in 31 days now. I've been having great classes the last few days, and am in a good mood. The sun is shining and it's 28 degrees outside (I'm only inside to post this). Life is good!
Today's class was fun. I was wide awake at 7am unintentionally. I really had intended to sleep in today, now that we don't have anyone staying with us, and because I wanted to catch up on lost sleep from the week. I fell asleep at 9.30 last night though, so I guess that was enough.
Made it to Nina's 9am, although when I woke up and felt the stiffness in my shoulders from yesterday's headstand, I swore I wasn't going to an early class. I was ok after a hot shower and some headstands before class though, and ended up having an awesome class. Went in the front row with my friend Natalie, and was completely focused and loving it, even if my postures weren't their absolute best (they never are for me the day after Advanced).
My Day 30 was Advanced with Emma. Having missed it last week for the masterclass, it felt good to get back into it. Now my injury is gone, I can feel I'm getting back to where I was in Advanced, and starting to improve again. I really need to start being more disciplined about doing some advanced stuff after normal class. I used to do it all the time, but it kind of tailed off when my rib was injured, and I've been slacking on that the last few weeks too, using the challenge/early shifts/tiredness as excuses.
I need to work on flexibility, as the postures I'm slightly better at are strength ones (Crow and lotus Peacock-not that they are great, but they're better than the others). I know that sometimes I slip into the habit of only practising the ones I'm stronger at, as I feel more positive about them. It shouldn't be that way. They'll be more benefit from practising the ones that need more work, particularly those that require back and shoulder flexibility. Due to that, I've made a commitment to myself to try to practise walking down the wall backwards a few times every day, and doing a shoulder opener, and splits. I'm finding the wall-walking one to be a great warm up before class too!
After Advanced, Amber ("my new best friend from Advanced Bikram Yoga class"-that's what she's been calling me..hehe :) discovered this great little cafe near the studio that makes fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and lots of different salads. It was really cheap to-£2.50 for a juice, which is a good price in London. It's going to be our new hang-out.
Thoughts after the Challenge
I just re-read all my blog posts from the last 31 days. It was quite nice reminding myself of all the classes, and how I'd been feeling, as you can forget a lot even in 30 days! I'm happy I did this blog, as I never would have remembered otherwise.
So what have I gained from the challenge? Well, I think the biggest thing is the revelation that consistent daily practice is good and I like it! Of course you end up sacrificing social events, sleep, working late etc. but I don't have any regrets about those sacrifices. The majority of times I went into class tired, I came out feeling more energised. Even last Friday's class, where I felt wiped out, I did actually feel better afterwards. Before I started, I thought I may be too tired or stiff at some point, and that I might want to quit, but I never felt so bad that I wanted to give up. Your body just gets used to going every day.
I've also really started to consistently enjoy classes again. I wrote at the start, that lately I'd been feeling like yoga was a chore sometimes. I haven't felt that during this challenge, because I've recognised the benefits outweigh the feeling of obligation that I had to go. I'm really happy about this, and I hope that feeling stays.
Physically, there have been a few changes. My balancing postures have got much stronger. Of course, I still fall out, but my SFTK is much much better than it was at the start of the challenge. I can hold it for longer. I think this is just because of the daily practice; the repeated action. Also partly due to floor Janushirasana, where my foot now easily lifts off the floor, whereas before it was often quite a push to get it up. I'm not saying these postures are in any way near perfect. I still have a long way to go.
I also feel like my upper and middle back are opening up a little more. My back has always been quite tight, and hasn't opened up much in three years, but now I can feel it is starting to release more in backbends. My backbends feel good. I have always had a weak lower back. The opening higher up is helping it, I think. This is partly why I want to start walking down the wall every day.
I had two other reasons for doing the challenge; the breath and elimination of mental distractions. To be honest, I can't see much of a change in these from the last thirty days, but I think this is too short a period to expect much from that. I was ok with breathing before, and I still am. Mental distractions continue to steal my focus sometimes, particularly if I'd had a very bad day, so this is something I need to work on more. I have been thinking about practising meditation to help with this. That said, I also have some amazingly focused classes too. I want consistency though.
I feel good about completing the challenge, and I picked up my t-shirt at reception today. It says "I came every day for 30 days" and is a cute little back American Apparel one. I will probably continue daily yoga wherever possible, because it feels good. I expect I will also be continuing this blog too, as I like the idea of having a record of certain moments that would otherwise be forgotten.
Today's class was fun. I was wide awake at 7am unintentionally. I really had intended to sleep in today, now that we don't have anyone staying with us, and because I wanted to catch up on lost sleep from the week. I fell asleep at 9.30 last night though, so I guess that was enough.
Made it to Nina's 9am, although when I woke up and felt the stiffness in my shoulders from yesterday's headstand, I swore I wasn't going to an early class. I was ok after a hot shower and some headstands before class though, and ended up having an awesome class. Went in the front row with my friend Natalie, and was completely focused and loving it, even if my postures weren't their absolute best (they never are for me the day after Advanced).
My Day 30 was Advanced with Emma. Having missed it last week for the masterclass, it felt good to get back into it. Now my injury is gone, I can feel I'm getting back to where I was in Advanced, and starting to improve again. I really need to start being more disciplined about doing some advanced stuff after normal class. I used to do it all the time, but it kind of tailed off when my rib was injured, and I've been slacking on that the last few weeks too, using the challenge/early shifts/tiredness as excuses.
I need to work on flexibility, as the postures I'm slightly better at are strength ones (Crow and lotus Peacock-not that they are great, but they're better than the others). I know that sometimes I slip into the habit of only practising the ones I'm stronger at, as I feel more positive about them. It shouldn't be that way. They'll be more benefit from practising the ones that need more work, particularly those that require back and shoulder flexibility. Due to that, I've made a commitment to myself to try to practise walking down the wall backwards a few times every day, and doing a shoulder opener, and splits. I'm finding the wall-walking one to be a great warm up before class too!
After Advanced, Amber ("my new best friend from Advanced Bikram Yoga class"-that's what she's been calling me..hehe :) discovered this great little cafe near the studio that makes fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and lots of different salads. It was really cheap to-£2.50 for a juice, which is a good price in London. It's going to be our new hang-out.
Thoughts after the Challenge
I just re-read all my blog posts from the last 31 days. It was quite nice reminding myself of all the classes, and how I'd been feeling, as you can forget a lot even in 30 days! I'm happy I did this blog, as I never would have remembered otherwise.
So what have I gained from the challenge? Well, I think the biggest thing is the revelation that consistent daily practice is good and I like it! Of course you end up sacrificing social events, sleep, working late etc. but I don't have any regrets about those sacrifices. The majority of times I went into class tired, I came out feeling more energised. Even last Friday's class, where I felt wiped out, I did actually feel better afterwards. Before I started, I thought I may be too tired or stiff at some point, and that I might want to quit, but I never felt so bad that I wanted to give up. Your body just gets used to going every day.
I've also really started to consistently enjoy classes again. I wrote at the start, that lately I'd been feeling like yoga was a chore sometimes. I haven't felt that during this challenge, because I've recognised the benefits outweigh the feeling of obligation that I had to go. I'm really happy about this, and I hope that feeling stays.
Physically, there have been a few changes. My balancing postures have got much stronger. Of course, I still fall out, but my SFTK is much much better than it was at the start of the challenge. I can hold it for longer. I think this is just because of the daily practice; the repeated action. Also partly due to floor Janushirasana, where my foot now easily lifts off the floor, whereas before it was often quite a push to get it up. I'm not saying these postures are in any way near perfect. I still have a long way to go.
I also feel like my upper and middle back are opening up a little more. My back has always been quite tight, and hasn't opened up much in three years, but now I can feel it is starting to release more in backbends. My backbends feel good. I have always had a weak lower back. The opening higher up is helping it, I think. This is partly why I want to start walking down the wall every day.
I had two other reasons for doing the challenge; the breath and elimination of mental distractions. To be honest, I can't see much of a change in these from the last thirty days, but I think this is too short a period to expect much from that. I was ok with breathing before, and I still am. Mental distractions continue to steal my focus sometimes, particularly if I'd had a very bad day, so this is something I need to work on more. I have been thinking about practising meditation to help with this. That said, I also have some amazingly focused classes too. I want consistency though.
I feel good about completing the challenge, and I picked up my t-shirt at reception today. It says "I came every day for 30 days" and is a cute little back American Apparel one. I will probably continue daily yoga wherever possible, because it feels good. I expect I will also be continuing this blog too, as I like the idea of having a record of certain moments that would otherwise be forgotten.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Day 29
I confused myself. When I went to tick off Day 29 on the 30 Day Challenge board, there were 3 days left! I momentarily forgot to count, and convinced myself I was actually one day behind what I thought I was. I think that goes to show how tired I was! Anyway, I must have just forgotten to tick one day at some point. Probably after I did a double at the other studio.
As I said, I was incredibly tired. I've been working early shifts, so up at 6am for the best part of 2 weeks. We've also had someone staying with us the last few days, and due to the boys going to the pub a lot, my sleep's been disturbed.
Mentally, I wanted to lie down the whole class. I think my body was crying out for rest too. I arrived at class early, intending to practise some advanced postures, but instead almost fell asleep! I did manage to make it the whole way through though, thankfully.
It took all of my determination to push through each posture. I did tell myself a few times in the floor series that I could sit the second set out, but for some reason when it came down to it, on cue I immediately did the sit-up and got into the pose. It's funny how that happens sometimes. Part of me thinks that if you have the strength to debate it, then you should actually be able to do it, mentally at least. Anyway, I didn't keel over, and I was still able to get up and walk home after class, so I guess I was physically able too.
..and next, Day 30!
As I said, I was incredibly tired. I've been working early shifts, so up at 6am for the best part of 2 weeks. We've also had someone staying with us the last few days, and due to the boys going to the pub a lot, my sleep's been disturbed.
Mentally, I wanted to lie down the whole class. I think my body was crying out for rest too. I arrived at class early, intending to practise some advanced postures, but instead almost fell asleep! I did manage to make it the whole way through though, thankfully.
It took all of my determination to push through each posture. I did tell myself a few times in the floor series that I could sit the second set out, but for some reason when it came down to it, on cue I immediately did the sit-up and got into the pose. It's funny how that happens sometimes. Part of me thinks that if you have the strength to debate it, then you should actually be able to do it, mentally at least. Anyway, I didn't keel over, and I was still able to get up and walk home after class, so I guess I was physically able too.
..and next, Day 30!
Friday, 21 August 2009
Days 27 + 28
These two days emphasised to me that every class is different. Same teacher (Raj), same room, approximately same time (they started an hour apart-5pm and 6pm respectively) but totally different experiences in every respect.
One was a relatively nice easy temperature, with lots of air in the room. My day had been pretty relaxed, and I had a nice easy class. Held the balancing postures well (I often use that as a marker for how I was feeling in the class. If I fall out a lot, it's often because my mind won't stay still, or because the class is more physically demanding in the scale of things), and I had a lot of energy throughout class.
The second was hotter, more humid, more challenging all round. The second I walked in I saw the extreme sweat dripping off people, and the exhausted look on everyone's faces. Also, 80% of the class was still on the floor, and by the time the second class is allowed in, it's normally less than half. Myself already being pretty drained from my day, and lack of sleep the night before, I immediately took a spot by the door, hoping to catch a breath of fresh air if the teacher happenned to open the door today. Not that it even makes much of a difference on a day like that, as wherever you go it will be demanding, but I wanted to give myself a chance of making it all the way through class, and it was clear that many in the class just previous hadn't!
Well it was as I expected. It was 95% humidity in London yesterday, and the class could feel it. Physically challenging, so I had to focus on the breath continuously to keep going. By the end I felt wiped out, but I did manage to do the entire class, although I definitely felt like sitting down at a few points. It felt good to get through the class on a day like that.
I'm drinking so much water at the moment. I've gone up from about 3 litres a day, to 5, just in the last week. I'm always hydrated to the max before class, but the last few days I've been coming out of class and sometimes drinking another 2 litres of a mix of coconut water and plain water. It seems like a ridiculous amount, but I feel like my body needs it.
...and now just 2 more days left in the challenge! I've slipped into the routine of waking at 6am, work or yoga, then the other of the two, then home to bed. Routines always make life go fast for me.
I have to admit I AM looking forward to not having the obligation to go every day, however I think I will continue to go every day, or almost every day, as the benefits I have felt are well worth it.
One was a relatively nice easy temperature, with lots of air in the room. My day had been pretty relaxed, and I had a nice easy class. Held the balancing postures well (I often use that as a marker for how I was feeling in the class. If I fall out a lot, it's often because my mind won't stay still, or because the class is more physically demanding in the scale of things), and I had a lot of energy throughout class.
The second was hotter, more humid, more challenging all round. The second I walked in I saw the extreme sweat dripping off people, and the exhausted look on everyone's faces. Also, 80% of the class was still on the floor, and by the time the second class is allowed in, it's normally less than half. Myself already being pretty drained from my day, and lack of sleep the night before, I immediately took a spot by the door, hoping to catch a breath of fresh air if the teacher happenned to open the door today. Not that it even makes much of a difference on a day like that, as wherever you go it will be demanding, but I wanted to give myself a chance of making it all the way through class, and it was clear that many in the class just previous hadn't!
Well it was as I expected. It was 95% humidity in London yesterday, and the class could feel it. Physically challenging, so I had to focus on the breath continuously to keep going. By the end I felt wiped out, but I did manage to do the entire class, although I definitely felt like sitting down at a few points. It felt good to get through the class on a day like that.
I'm drinking so much water at the moment. I've gone up from about 3 litres a day, to 5, just in the last week. I'm always hydrated to the max before class, but the last few days I've been coming out of class and sometimes drinking another 2 litres of a mix of coconut water and plain water. It seems like a ridiculous amount, but I feel like my body needs it.
...and now just 2 more days left in the challenge! I've slipped into the routine of waking at 6am, work or yoga, then the other of the two, then home to bed. Routines always make life go fast for me.
I have to admit I AM looking forward to not having the obligation to go every day, however I think I will continue to go every day, or almost every day, as the benefits I have felt are well worth it.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Days 25 + 26
Today was Day 26. Not much to say except my muscles are STILL aching from Saturday! It's nice to ache, but I am tired today. Class was nice, and not too hot, not too hard. I need a good night's sleep tonight so I can have a strong last few days.
Last night sticks in my mind more. We had a new teacher. New to our studio at least, although she has been teaching 20 years. She certainly had a lot to say, and some of it was funny!
Example Quote:
At the start of eagle. "Work the arms, ladies. I'm big on the arms. The arms are the first thing to go. You want to know what the second thing to go is?" Pause. "The husband!"
It was nice to have some humour injected into practice. She reminded me of a yoga teacher from the studio I went to in Hoboken, when I lived in the States temporarily. I had a feeling that one friend from there would have said that she talked a lot :)
That reminds me of when I lived in Hoboken, NJ for four months a couple of years ago. I miss the small yoga community there. It's VERY different to the big studios in London, with capacities of 70+, and full classes, which automatically makes the experience a little more impersonal. There's certainly a community here, but because it's so big it does take that bit longer to get to know people.
In Hoboken, my studio was just 2 blocks from my apartment in those days, back when it was still a Bikram studio (it's now severed ties with Bikram, and is teaching many other styles). That was the ultimate location for me. Now every time I move house I try to get closer and closer to a yoga studio. My current location is a 15 minute walk, which isn't bad, but 2 blocks was more ideal :)
Next time I move I'll be looking for somewhere even closer! *sigh*...The things we do for yoga...
Last night sticks in my mind more. We had a new teacher. New to our studio at least, although she has been teaching 20 years. She certainly had a lot to say, and some of it was funny!
Example Quote:
At the start of eagle. "Work the arms, ladies. I'm big on the arms. The arms are the first thing to go. You want to know what the second thing to go is?" Pause. "The husband!"
It was nice to have some humour injected into practice. She reminded me of a yoga teacher from the studio I went to in Hoboken, when I lived in the States temporarily. I had a feeling that one friend from there would have said that she talked a lot :)
That reminds me of when I lived in Hoboken, NJ for four months a couple of years ago. I miss the small yoga community there. It's VERY different to the big studios in London, with capacities of 70+, and full classes, which automatically makes the experience a little more impersonal. There's certainly a community here, but because it's so big it does take that bit longer to get to know people.
In Hoboken, my studio was just 2 blocks from my apartment in those days, back when it was still a Bikram studio (it's now severed ties with Bikram, and is teaching many other styles). That was the ultimate location for me. Now every time I move house I try to get closer and closer to a yoga studio. My current location is a 15 minute walk, which isn't bad, but 2 blocks was more ideal :)
Next time I move I'll be looking for somewhere even closer! *sigh*...The things we do for yoga...
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Day 24
I liked today; it was very hot and very good. It was the 11am with one of my favourite teachers, Nina. She commented that my transition into triangle was perfect and that she could tell I'd been to the masterclass! I definitely picked up on a few new things yesterday, so I'm glad that at least had transferred to my practice.
My legs are tired now. It's been three classes in 26 hours so not surprising. However I am less achy than normal for a Sunday, as it's usually the day after my Advanced class. I can't believe it's already day 24, and there is less than a week to go. It's gone fast. Thinking about extending the 30 days to 42 days right up until I go on holiday. I definitely want to keep up the daily classes when i finish the challenge.
My legs are tired now. It's been three classes in 26 hours so not surprising. However I am less achy than normal for a Sunday, as it's usually the day after my Advanced class. I can't believe it's already day 24, and there is less than a week to go. It's gone fast. Thinking about extending the 30 days to 42 days right up until I go on holiday. I definitely want to keep up the daily classes when i finish the challenge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
