I'm trying in this second challenge to mix it up and not just cruise through. As you have seen from my last post I was having a good day so I decided I was going to do my first ever double. For those who don't know what this is it's basically taking two Bikram yoga classes in one day. Teachers in training do this five days a week for nine weeks. Usually in a challenge if you miss a day you have the chance to make it up with a double. My last challenge I made sure I didn't miss a class, I wanted to be a purist and do the challenge properly. I still aim to do this in this challenge too but who knows what may happen over this month so I have am extra class in the bag just in case.
Everything felt right today. I had a good class this morning so why not. I ran all the errands I needed to. Headed home and had a nice, fresh steak sandwich. Ideally I should have had a side of veg with this but I was starving so quickness won. I managed to get three litres of water down before heading back to the studio. I took extra electrolytes too, treating this class just like any other.
My studio director was there and she also was doubling up so I was not alone. I found a different spot from the morning. I also assisted two newbies in setting up a spot at the back. I've never practiced at 4pm on a Saturday and there was a whole new crowd of people. I took a seat thinking I could just chill out, relax with my own thoughts for a while. Yeah right within a minute I was chatting away to someone new!!!
The class was being lead by a new local instructor Anthony (with a 'the') who's fresh out of Fall TT 2010. He did really well. It was actually cool to hear some of the dialogue that the more experience instructors leave out for timing. Some lines I'd not heard in a while popped back up. When he slipped up he laughed it off. What I noticed was how alert the class was and we were all listening to the dialogue. A few times after stepping back to the left of our mats, there was a longer pause before "arms back down to your sides". Nearly everyone waited, just standing still, arms up and brought them down when instructed. The group energy was fantastic. We did, I feel, do an extra long triangle, I was starting to shake and slide a bit but then again it might have been the correct length!
I noticed in this class the postures I did well in in the morning weren't so strong and vice versa. Overall I felt very happy with my efforts. I made in through without drinking and I even was craving water by the end which often happens. Just to note I'm a non drinker through out the whole class. I take it in but rarely touch it till the very end. The times I do drink I regret it as it zaps my energy as my body is dealing with digesting it and water sloshing around makes me feel sick. But you only way to get through a class without water is to be super hydrated before hand.
That rounds off Saturday and my first double for no other reason but because I wanted to. Some people might think I'm mad or 'don't you have anything better to do' but hey that's my choice. It might not happen again or it may become a regular thing, who knows!!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Day 5
It's Saturday and one of the best things about weekend classes is I don't have to rush off anywhere. I can actually enjoy a nice long savasana. Yes I do have busy weekend commitments but I make sure any appointments are made after 12pm so I have the all important social time at the studio. There was so many people there today, regulars, fellow challengers, staff and friends. There actually wasn't enough time to get round everyone to catch up before class. I did get to meet fellow challenger and reader Courtney for the first time *Hello, nice to met you!*
I did the 9:30am with local instructor Sarah who's classes are what I would describe as efficient, dialogue lead and on time. She has a great way of getting everyone in and out of postures smoothly so it feels like they go quicker. I'm listening, correcting myself, going deeper & change it's time to come out. My favourite posture with Sarah is Full Locust, her energy at the end really makes you want to 'go up, fly up!'
I really enjoyed today's class. My Saturday practice has been off all of January so I was glad to have a good class today. I did reach a record of drinking five litres of water yesterday. I also forwent an hours extra sleep so I could eat a good protein based breakfast of wholegrain toast and eggs two hours before. (I could get that sleep back in half tortoise!!!) I was very prepared and ready to go and it all paid off. I flew through. Hips felt open, hamstrings were flexing and I kept my breathing under control. I notice in the morning classes I don't breath properly and end up yawning a lot through lack of oxygen. I read an interesting fact that yawning is the body's natural way to cool down the brain. However yawning in higher temperatures is counterproductive as your breathing in warm air. So best to keep that steady breath going in and out through the nose so we don't unnecessarily heat up our body/brain more than we need.
More socializing followed class which was lovely as more people arrived to join the party! I'm all set up now for a happy and enjoyable weekend. Hope you all have a good one too.
I did the 9:30am with local instructor Sarah who's classes are what I would describe as efficient, dialogue lead and on time. She has a great way of getting everyone in and out of postures smoothly so it feels like they go quicker. I'm listening, correcting myself, going deeper & change it's time to come out. My favourite posture with Sarah is Full Locust, her energy at the end really makes you want to 'go up, fly up!'
I really enjoyed today's class. My Saturday practice has been off all of January so I was glad to have a good class today. I did reach a record of drinking five litres of water yesterday. I also forwent an hours extra sleep so I could eat a good protein based breakfast of wholegrain toast and eggs two hours before. (I could get that sleep back in half tortoise!!!) I was very prepared and ready to go and it all paid off. I flew through. Hips felt open, hamstrings were flexing and I kept my breathing under control. I notice in the morning classes I don't breath properly and end up yawning a lot through lack of oxygen. I read an interesting fact that yawning is the body's natural way to cool down the brain. However yawning in higher temperatures is counterproductive as your breathing in warm air. So best to keep that steady breath going in and out through the nose so we don't unnecessarily heat up our body/brain more than we need.
More socializing followed class which was lovely as more people arrived to join the party! I'm all set up now for a happy and enjoyable weekend. Hope you all have a good one too.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Day 4 - That Friday feeling
Here we are at Day 4. Nothing unusual or life changing to report today. It's still early days and four days in a row is the normal practice for me. I know things will start shifting soon, those aches and pains that lead up to breakthroughs will be coming soon.
5:45am class again with Liz, deja vue perhaps but no, every day is different, today's class was nothing like yesterdays. I was about to venture west into the depths of the room when a fellow regular pulled me up and asked me to come up front with her as she was getting lonely. We quite often practice next to each other in the early mornings and I'd explained I had to move around the room. She also pointed out when there is newbies we need people up front to lead, true. It is nice to have the camaraderie and share energy with your mat buddies so I went down front but not the spot I had on Wednesday.
My hips were especially tight today. I felt this the most when trying to bounce down in triangle. Toe stand is really coming along. I just need to lift up off my heel at the end and not tip forward or sideways. My biggest issue today was monkey mind. I could not switch off, it really made staying present hard. I even went straight into the set up of head to knee with stretching when it was Rabbit time. Doh! Quickly got those legs back in. This usually happens to me after standing bow pulling, instead of going to the back of the mat for balancing stick I step sideways. I then started stressing about thinking too much instead of just switching off and concentrating on that breathing.
I'd like to give a shout out to Michelle who I met this morning. She took her first Bikram class last Tuesday and signed straight up for the challenge! Awesome, the best way to get introduced to this fabulous series is start in the deep end. I hope all the other challenger's are feeling strong and enjoying the experience too.
5:45am class again with Liz, deja vue perhaps but no, every day is different, today's class was nothing like yesterdays. I was about to venture west into the depths of the room when a fellow regular pulled me up and asked me to come up front with her as she was getting lonely. We quite often practice next to each other in the early mornings and I'd explained I had to move around the room. She also pointed out when there is newbies we need people up front to lead, true. It is nice to have the camaraderie and share energy with your mat buddies so I went down front but not the spot I had on Wednesday.
My hips were especially tight today. I felt this the most when trying to bounce down in triangle. Toe stand is really coming along. I just need to lift up off my heel at the end and not tip forward or sideways. My biggest issue today was monkey mind. I could not switch off, it really made staying present hard. I even went straight into the set up of head to knee with stretching when it was Rabbit time. Doh! Quickly got those legs back in. This usually happens to me after standing bow pulling, instead of going to the back of the mat for balancing stick I step sideways. I then started stressing about thinking too much instead of just switching off and concentrating on that breathing.
I'd like to give a shout out to Michelle who I met this morning. She took her first Bikram class last Tuesday and signed straight up for the challenge! Awesome, the best way to get introduced to this fabulous series is start in the deep end. I hope all the other challenger's are feeling strong and enjoying the experience too.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Day 3
Last night went really fast. It felt like I'd only just gotten to sleep and the alarm was ringing out. I might be a bit strange but the mornings I have Bikram I find it easy to get up & out even at 5am. My bed may be warm but the studio is a LOT warmer! I start these early mornings with 500ml of water with a pinch of Himalayan salts that has been allowed to dissolve over night. Today my protein snack was two teaspoons of organic almond and cashew spread. Easy to digest and gives me the energy to get through the 90 minutes.
I wasn't the only one at the studio less than twelve hours since I left. A fellow regular on her 60 day challenge was back & joked we should bring our beds to the studio. Also our instructor took the 8pm class the previous evening and was back again for 5:45am.
Small class today about fourteen people. Liz our long term guest instructor from Indiana/Las Vegas was our guide. I took a spot right in the back row. Alas no one was in front of me at all, so I had a clear view of the mirror again. Maybe a should start putting my mat down five or ten minutes before the class starts and selecting a restricted view spot?
It took me a while to warm up which is usual for these early classes. I thought I may be stiff after pushing myself hard the night before but I was okay. I have been working really hard on standing head to knee. I could hardly kick out before Christmas and suddenly it all came at once. Locked knees, kicking and flexing toes back, rounding down. It's no way perfect and I topple sideways after a few seconds of the full expression or my kicking leg drops down but I'm progressing. I have noticed if I have a good go at this posture my standing bow pulling goes a bit squiffy. My balance in this is quite solid but if I've gone hard in head to knee I find I haven't the strength to hold bow as my standing leg struggles to stay solid. Something more to work on as standing bow is one of my favourites.
My mind drifted off at one point in the floor series and I missed the queue for half tortoise. Yes I was just kneeling there looking blank. Apart from that another day done and I floated out of class energised and ready for the day.
Just one thing to add in regards to yesterday's organized post. The Missus has written a great blog post about what she calls being "Yoga Stoned." I've hear the term yoga brain which is the same thing. Your so chilled out after class you end up being really forgetful, for a naturally forgetful person like myself this can be quite dangerous. Hence all those things I've left at the studio recently! Take a look here...
I wasn't the only one at the studio less than twelve hours since I left. A fellow regular on her 60 day challenge was back & joked we should bring our beds to the studio. Also our instructor took the 8pm class the previous evening and was back again for 5:45am.
Small class today about fourteen people. Liz our long term guest instructor from Indiana/Las Vegas was our guide. I took a spot right in the back row. Alas no one was in front of me at all, so I had a clear view of the mirror again. Maybe a should start putting my mat down five or ten minutes before the class starts and selecting a restricted view spot?
It took me a while to warm up which is usual for these early classes. I thought I may be stiff after pushing myself hard the night before but I was okay. I have been working really hard on standing head to knee. I could hardly kick out before Christmas and suddenly it all came at once. Locked knees, kicking and flexing toes back, rounding down. It's no way perfect and I topple sideways after a few seconds of the full expression or my kicking leg drops down but I'm progressing. I have noticed if I have a good go at this posture my standing bow pulling goes a bit squiffy. My balance in this is quite solid but if I've gone hard in head to knee I find I haven't the strength to hold bow as my standing leg struggles to stay solid. Something more to work on as standing bow is one of my favourites.
My mind drifted off at one point in the floor series and I missed the queue for half tortoise. Yes I was just kneeling there looking blank. Apart from that another day done and I floated out of class energised and ready for the day.
Just one thing to add in regards to yesterday's organized post. The Missus has written a great blog post about what she calls being "Yoga Stoned." I've hear the term yoga brain which is the same thing. Your so chilled out after class you end up being really forgetful, for a naturally forgetful person like myself this can be quite dangerous. Hence all those things I've left at the studio recently! Take a look here...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Day 2
It's day two, 6pm Wednesday class. All I can say is it was AWESOME!! I actually felt like jumping up and down cheering once I left the room! My day didn't start so good though....
I was a bit cranky at work today, I've had a lot on so when 4:30pm rolled round I was eager to get out and get to yoga. I knew there would be some happy smiley faces at the studio and I was right, I love our BYJ community. It instantly lifted my spirits. Then I very nearly made a yoga etiquette faux pas for which I was warned off by a complete stranger. This put me on edge again and I moaned about it to my friend. Now looking back the other person was only being a good yogi, they didn't know I knew the rules and knew I shouldn't really commit the crime. So I shall wipe the slate clean here, I apologize for getting cranky and let it go.
Anyway enough about that and back to the class. We had a new guest instructor tonight, Shawn from Santa Cruz, California. He taught with high spirits, a few informative demo's (which allowed for some extra recovery time!) and I really felt the dialogue was speaking just to me. Every correction I listened to and replied with my movements. I felt strong, my muscles stretching further and working harder. I stayed present and even burst into a huge smile when suddenly the second set of half tortoise came out in Spanish!!! (BYJ can we have a Spanglish class next Wednesday please?!!)
I don't often do evening classes because of logistics but when I do it always surprises me how much more flexible I am. I back bended like a demon and very nearly touched my head to the floor. I know I ate well today and guzzled down nearly four litres of water which always helps. I came home on a high and to a welcome treat. My man had cleaned the house for me, bathroom and all. He had even cooked me a veggie stir fry which was ready when I got out the shower. How awesome is that. Day two, awesome, enough said.
I'd better get to bed as I have 5:45am class tomorrow, less than 12 hours since I left the hot box but that's the way it rolls during these crazy challenges.
Get Organized!
Last night I had a reality check. It's been two months since my last 30 dayer and I'd forgotten how many extra tasks are involved. Obviously you have to get to class every day but with that brings other responsibilities. Laundry for one. I unpacked one sweaty dry bag of yoga clothes and yogitoes, my damp hair towel and shower bag. These needed washing/drying out. My travel shampoo need refilling as well. That didn't take long but then I had to pack my bag for tonight's class.
I'm quite forgetful, I won't list what I have left at various studio's over the past month, so anything that makes life easier I do. Hence I have three sets of everything. One shower bag stay's in my 'morning yoga' bag along with a towel, dry bag and hairbrush/lackies. I have another bag with a mini wash bag for evening classes with the essential make up remover wipes, hand towel, another hairbrush and lackies. Then a set of shower/face products that stay at home. Three sets! I won't go into how many yoga outfits I have as that might take up a whole new post. I do have enough not to have to wash every day but I can't stand the thought/smell of stale sweat in my house.
Each evening I am unpacking and repacking bags of yoga clothes/work clothes. After that is complete there is still the normal evening activities of cooking, cleaning and in my case sleeping. After all this there's not much time to do anything else with the alarm going off at 4:40am!
The next essential task during challenges is eating. You need to be well nourished so your body has enough fuel to get you through the intense physical demands of 30 days of Bikram. It is amazing how much better I do in a class if I've eaten and hydrated well. Therefore my evenings are spent cooking well balanced, healthy food with left overs for lunch the next day. For the morning classes I need to pack up food for breakfast as well which I eat when I get to work. Plus the usual emergency snacks of nuts, cheese and fruit must be packed and on hand. So much to plan and pack.
Of course you don't have to do this, you can buy your food ready made and leave your laundry and household chores to the weekend. But I like to leave the weekends free for fun things, not cleaning! Also making your own food is better than eating processed rubbish and cheaper.
I'll just write quickly about electrolytes which are essential for challengers. This is yet another thing I must remember to keep with me and take. I use NutriBiotic Essential Electrolytes available here. They have all the right balance of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium in an easy to take capsule. They contain no sweeteners, colorings, flavorings, or preservatives. Gluten & GMO Free. I take them before and after class as directed. If any one is interested in ordering from iherb, plug in this code EG0223 at checkout to receive $5 off your first order. (Shipping to Aus under 3 lbs is only $4) I also use Nuun water soluble tablets for after class if I'm feeling flat. In the evenings I take Ultra Muscleze a fantastic magnesium supplement, great for tired muscles and winding down after a late class. (Available at BYJ reception)
After re-reading this post I think the actual Bikram class is the easiest part of the challenge. Fitting your everyday life around it is the hard part! It's so worth it though, the amazing sense of well being and achievement these challenges bring.
I'm quite forgetful, I won't list what I have left at various studio's over the past month, so anything that makes life easier I do. Hence I have three sets of everything. One shower bag stay's in my 'morning yoga' bag along with a towel, dry bag and hairbrush/lackies. I have another bag with a mini wash bag for evening classes with the essential make up remover wipes, hand towel, another hairbrush and lackies. Then a set of shower/face products that stay at home. Three sets! I won't go into how many yoga outfits I have as that might take up a whole new post. I do have enough not to have to wash every day but I can't stand the thought/smell of stale sweat in my house.
Each evening I am unpacking and repacking bags of yoga clothes/work clothes. After that is complete there is still the normal evening activities of cooking, cleaning and in my case sleeping. After all this there's not much time to do anything else with the alarm going off at 4:40am!
The next essential task during challenges is eating. You need to be well nourished so your body has enough fuel to get you through the intense physical demands of 30 days of Bikram. It is amazing how much better I do in a class if I've eaten and hydrated well. Therefore my evenings are spent cooking well balanced, healthy food with left overs for lunch the next day. For the morning classes I need to pack up food for breakfast as well which I eat when I get to work. Plus the usual emergency snacks of nuts, cheese and fruit must be packed and on hand. So much to plan and pack.
Of course you don't have to do this, you can buy your food ready made and leave your laundry and household chores to the weekend. But I like to leave the weekends free for fun things, not cleaning! Also making your own food is better than eating processed rubbish and cheaper.
I'll just write quickly about electrolytes which are essential for challengers. This is yet another thing I must remember to keep with me and take. I use NutriBiotic Essential Electrolytes available here. They have all the right balance of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium in an easy to take capsule. They contain no sweeteners, colorings, flavorings, or preservatives. Gluten & GMO Free. I take them before and after class as directed. If any one is interested in ordering from iherb, plug in this code EG0223 at checkout to receive $5 off your first order. (Shipping to Aus under 3 lbs is only $4) I also use Nuun water soluble tablets for after class if I'm feeling flat. In the evenings I take Ultra Muscleze a fantastic magnesium supplement, great for tired muscles and winding down after a late class. (Available at BYJ reception)
After re-reading this post I think the actual Bikram class is the easiest part of the challenge. Fitting your everyday life around it is the hard part! It's so worth it though, the amazing sense of well being and achievement these challenges bring.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Day 1
It's the 1st February which means it's day ONE of my 2nd 30 day Challenge. My day started early as I'll be practicing at 5:45am four mornings a week. I was quite shocked to see how dark it was at 5am when I left. (My drive to the studio is 25 minutes, hence early, early start) Signs that summer is slowly coming to an end. I've really been enjoying the early summer starts and driving in full day light at an hour most people think is bonkers.
Two other previous challengers joined me today. Good to see both of them again as we'd not crossed paths since before the Christmas break. This was the part I loved from the last challenge, the community spirit, support and bonding that happened through this shared experience.
I breezed through today's class. It's day one, I rested yesterday and I was refreshed and ready to go. I moved my spot in the room, way out left on the third row. However I quaked last minute and pulled forward one row. Row three was fairly busy so row two was empty and would give me some more sideways space. I know I should have stayed put and been squashed. It just seemed silly all being on one row when there was plenty of space to spread out. No one was in front either so I had a clear view of the mirror. I need to have a restricted view tomorrow, I must be squashed, I shall share flying sweat with my neighbours!! This will be easy as I have 6pm peak time tomorrow.
The class flowed well. It was the last class with visiting instructor Emily from Washington. I've enjoyed her relaxed, calming style. I'm still amazed how she manages to remember everyone's names, do corrections, support the beginners and still finish on time without rushing or fuss.
After reading a post from The Missus about not your body bending down in triangle to reach the floor. I made a conscience effort today to sit down low and not to drop my body when I moved my arms. And what do you know, that triangle shape stayed between my thigh, torso and arm, my muscles woke up and my alignment was better along my straight leg and side. I felt like I was in triangle, not hanging out resting on my knee or finger tips which I know I do especially in classes when I feel weak.
That's day one done, finished, let go, tomorrow will be different.... 29 more to go!
Two other previous challengers joined me today. Good to see both of them again as we'd not crossed paths since before the Christmas break. This was the part I loved from the last challenge, the community spirit, support and bonding that happened through this shared experience.
I breezed through today's class. It's day one, I rested yesterday and I was refreshed and ready to go. I moved my spot in the room, way out left on the third row. However I quaked last minute and pulled forward one row. Row three was fairly busy so row two was empty and would give me some more sideways space. I know I should have stayed put and been squashed. It just seemed silly all being on one row when there was plenty of space to spread out. No one was in front either so I had a clear view of the mirror. I need to have a restricted view tomorrow, I must be squashed, I shall share flying sweat with my neighbours!! This will be easy as I have 6pm peak time tomorrow.
The class flowed well. It was the last class with visiting instructor Emily from Washington. I've enjoyed her relaxed, calming style. I'm still amazed how she manages to remember everyone's names, do corrections, support the beginners and still finish on time without rushing or fuss.
After reading a post from The Missus about not your body bending down in triangle to reach the floor. I made a conscience effort today to sit down low and not to drop my body when I moved my arms. And what do you know, that triangle shape stayed between my thigh, torso and arm, my muscles woke up and my alignment was better along my straight leg and side. I felt like I was in triangle, not hanging out resting on my knee or finger tips which I know I do especially in classes when I feel weak.
That's day one done, finished, let go, tomorrow will be different.... 29 more to go!
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