'Twas a very HOT, BOILING, SWEATY class this morning. Drip, drip, drip went my salty sweat onto my toes in Balancing Stick. During each Savasana I kept looking at the two fans on the ceiling and willing them to start rotating. I was willing the door to open. I was contemplating on leaving the room, and to top it off, to retrieve my water bottle filled with ice-cold Emergen-C spiked water. For some reason, our teacher (bless her heart) must have sensed the discomfort, the breathing out through the mouth of some of us yogis after a posture, that she turned the fans on. Oh, joy!
My monkey mind was ahead of me, trying to coax me into not doing the Camel Posture, that deepest of back bends. But yoga mind countered with, "Lorrena, you're here in the hot room, you might as well make the most of it, and just DO the Camel!" And do it I did. I didn't want to get out of it before the teacher said to. There I was, in the posture and instead of holding my breath while awaiting the magic phrase "Put your hands back on your hips...", I just took a breath and lifted my chest up, and continued breathing so I won't pass out. Yes, I nailed both sets of Camel. Oh joy, I survived!
Can't wait for tomorrow's class. So far, I have done four straight days, and the future looks rosy as I may be able to go for another three straight. Oh joy!
Now it's just a question of whether to go for the 6:00AM or the 9:00AM...
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Just Another Manic Monday...
That's The Bangles for ya; if you were old enough in the 80's to remember tunes, you'd know this group.
Ah, the 9:00AM class with none other than Mr. Suggestion himself. He who makes us work extra hard, that "everything is supposed to hurt". And hurt I did, thanks to his words of encouragement specifically during the Hands to Feet Pose. I am pretty close to locking my knee, and thank you P. for telling me that I am almost there. That's all I needed to push myself deeper into the posture. I had expected to be pushed again during Part Two of Awkward, and true enough he wanted me to sit back further until my legs shake and just about to lose my balance. Just to challenge myself more.
The class today was pretty fast-paced. I was out of breath a few times, and sweating buckets. And true to form, P. extended the second set of Camel by a few excruciating seconds. Bear in mind that "seconds" seem like minutes, and "centimetres" feel like inches in yoga.
In as much as today's practice was the hardest I've worked in a while, I still felt that I've accomplished a lot. I was challenged enough. I was encouraged, praised. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Ah, the 9:00AM class with none other than Mr. Suggestion himself. He who makes us work extra hard, that "everything is supposed to hurt". And hurt I did, thanks to his words of encouragement specifically during the Hands to Feet Pose. I am pretty close to locking my knee, and thank you P. for telling me that I am almost there. That's all I needed to push myself deeper into the posture. I had expected to be pushed again during Part Two of Awkward, and true enough he wanted me to sit back further until my legs shake and just about to lose my balance. Just to challenge myself more.
The class today was pretty fast-paced. I was out of breath a few times, and sweating buckets. And true to form, P. extended the second set of Camel by a few excruciating seconds. Bear in mind that "seconds" seem like minutes, and "centimetres" feel like inches in yoga.
In as much as today's practice was the hardest I've worked in a while, I still felt that I've accomplished a lot. I was challenged enough. I was encouraged, praised. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Eight Troopers at "6:00AM" aka 7:00AM DST
Gotta love Daylight Savings Time...spring that hour forward...ugh...one hour of lost sleep in my comfy bed. My body has a very good alarm system, too good for comfort, as I kept waking up every hour three hours before I am SUPPOSED to get up.
Get up I did, and upon arriving at 6:45, the lovely Bettina cheered my arrival, announcing that I am the second one to show up. Cool! A semi-private class, lots of room to stretch without having to touch the neighbours. Fifteen minutes later, six other students showed up, and there we were, the eight troopers/die-hard yogis/morning people/what have you, sweating and working hard, and getting the best workout to start our Sunday right.
My body this morning felt a little bit sore, a little bit heavy. My poor right elbow has been doing well, albeit still feeling pain in certain angles. I haven't been wearing the brace for about two weeks now.
Last night, I said to my husband that my passion is this yoga. He did not doubt what I've just said, as he has not seen me this passionate about an activity before. He knows I am looking after myself...happy wife, happy life, right?
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Get up I did, and upon arriving at 6:45, the lovely Bettina cheered my arrival, announcing that I am the second one to show up. Cool! A semi-private class, lots of room to stretch without having to touch the neighbours. Fifteen minutes later, six other students showed up, and there we were, the eight troopers/die-hard yogis/morning people/what have you, sweating and working hard, and getting the best workout to start our Sunday right.
My body this morning felt a little bit sore, a little bit heavy. My poor right elbow has been doing well, albeit still feeling pain in certain angles. I haven't been wearing the brace for about two weeks now.
Last night, I said to my husband that my passion is this yoga. He did not doubt what I've just said, as he has not seen me this passionate about an activity before. He knows I am looking after myself...happy wife, happy life, right?
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Don't Be Scared...Just Try It!
So today, our instructor noticed that I didn't have water to drink after the Eagle Pose (aka the official water break). I then replied that I do not take water during class. She then said that she's too scared to do it. I should have pointed to my temple, in order to express that one CAN survive for 90 minutes in a hot room WITHOUT water, as long as you conquer your monkey mind AND you are well hydrated BEFORE class. Don't be scared...just try it. A year ago, I just "held my breath and jumped right in". I read Mary Jarvis' blog (her link is posted on my blog under "To Drink Or Not To Drink"), then I went right ahead and stopped taking water cold turkey. I must say that right from the get go, I felt fine. Even better was the fact that I had no extra luggage in my gut that would hinder the back bends and forward bends.
I guess with anything in life, one must sometimes just DO IT. Sometimes without thinking. Thinking too much might all the more scare you into forging ahead. Sometimes taking a few risks here and there are worth taking. As long as you come out of it alive, it's all right. Don't we say, "Oh you'll survive!" to people who are scared in taking that bold step?
Yeah, it may just be that security blanket/towel/water bottle in class is hindering what is possible. Don't be scared...just try it! Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
I guess with anything in life, one must sometimes just DO IT. Sometimes without thinking. Thinking too much might all the more scare you into forging ahead. Sometimes taking a few risks here and there are worth taking. As long as you come out of it alive, it's all right. Don't we say, "Oh you'll survive!" to people who are scared in taking that bold step?
Yeah, it may just be that security blanket/towel/water bottle in class is hindering what is possible. Don't be scared...just try it! Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Is There Water in the House?
Today marks a year of no water during class. What started as a challenge after a fellow yogi mentioned that one can survive without water for 90 minutes turned out to be a win-win situation for me. Without having that "security blanket", I am no longer distracted by wanting to drink. On top of that, I no longer carry extra luggage in my gut, especially when doing backward bends and forward bends.
Sure, the room is hot, I am sweating buckets, I constantly lick my lips, but instead of water, I rely on my breath. It's just amazing how breathing continuously through the nose is all I need to refuel. When I fell dizzy after some postures, I breathe. It prevents me from panicking, from wanting to lie down. The two-minute Savansana is just pure heaven. It definitely is the refueling stage of the class.
The next time you feel like a refreshment, go have sips of air, JUST BREATHE. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Sure, the room is hot, I am sweating buckets, I constantly lick my lips, but instead of water, I rely on my breath. It's just amazing how breathing continuously through the nose is all I need to refuel. When I fell dizzy after some postures, I breathe. It prevents me from panicking, from wanting to lie down. The two-minute Savansana is just pure heaven. It definitely is the refueling stage of the class.
The next time you feel like a refreshment, go have sips of air, JUST BREATHE. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
"We Need Some Energy..."
It's a Tuesday and it's my day off. Bonus. I seldom get Tuesdays off. So there I was, showing up for the 9:00AM class. After a glorious, sunny Monday, Tuesday greeted our beautiful city with the cold and damp. If it had been December, I would not have gotten out of bed. But I have the momentum back and I felt that it would be such a waste not to practice today.
In the change room, I was greeted by a familiar face, that of my neighbour down the street where I live. She said, "You have energy, please give us some energy, we need it today!" I'm not sure if I just happened to show up when she felt like saying that, but hey, it sure felt great that she had said that to me. THAT gave me energy, for sure! I replied, "Oh boy, the pressure is on!" :)
As much as we focus on ourselves for 90 minutes, little do we know that our fellow yogis do notice, do feel the energy in the room. Without our noticing it, we do help our fellow yogis when they're not feeling 100% by sharing our energy. We talk about how much this yoga has improved the quality of our lives. What could be better than knowing that, at the same time, it is also encouraging others not to give up on themselves. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
In the change room, I was greeted by a familiar face, that of my neighbour down the street where I live. She said, "You have energy, please give us some energy, we need it today!" I'm not sure if I just happened to show up when she felt like saying that, but hey, it sure felt great that she had said that to me. THAT gave me energy, for sure! I replied, "Oh boy, the pressure is on!" :)
As much as we focus on ourselves for 90 minutes, little do we know that our fellow yogis do notice, do feel the energy in the room. Without our noticing it, we do help our fellow yogis when they're not feeling 100% by sharing our energy. We talk about how much this yoga has improved the quality of our lives. What could be better than knowing that, at the same time, it is also encouraging others not to give up on themselves. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Happy Birthday, Mommy!
Today would have been my Mommy's 86th birthday. Sadly, she left us close to a year ago now. And we all miss her every single day that goes by.
When we lived in the Philippines, birthdays in our family were special events. Our big, extended family always got together for dinner, either at our favourite Chinese restaurant named Shantung, then dessert of ice cream at the Magnolia House on the way home. Before Mommy retired, her work family always feted her on her birthday. She was very well-loved, by her colleagues and staff, and her patients. She would come home with an assortment of gifts and flowers.
But as much as I know that she felt very appreciated by these gestures, nothing gives her more pleasure than spending time with her family. A simple birthday card with words of love and affection from her children will instantly bring a smile on her beautiful face.
Yesterday I spent some time at her graveside to wish her a Happy Birthday. My two brothers and our Dad were there too, and we shared our thoughts, shed some tears, oh how we miss her so! I've dreamed about her twice within the space of maybe 2-3 days last week. She was happy, and she was among her family. In the first dream, I gave her a big hug, so happy to see her, then realized that she wasn't meant to be there. Nevertheless, it appeared that she was meant to be there, with us. In the second dream, I saw her walking towards an adjacent building. When I checked on her, I saw that she was getting dressed in something special for her birthday party. When I told my sister about these dreams, she said that it was probably Mommy's way of making sure that she is not forgotten on her birthday. Ah, but she need not worry, because she will always be in our hearts, our thoughts. We know that she is always with us, wherever we are, whatever we are doing.
Good night, Mommy. I love you. Enjoy your special day with Lolo, Lola, and all our relatives who have gone before the rest of us. We will always hold you close to our hearts.
When we lived in the Philippines, birthdays in our family were special events. Our big, extended family always got together for dinner, either at our favourite Chinese restaurant named Shantung, then dessert of ice cream at the Magnolia House on the way home. Before Mommy retired, her work family always feted her on her birthday. She was very well-loved, by her colleagues and staff, and her patients. She would come home with an assortment of gifts and flowers.
But as much as I know that she felt very appreciated by these gestures, nothing gives her more pleasure than spending time with her family. A simple birthday card with words of love and affection from her children will instantly bring a smile on her beautiful face.
Yesterday I spent some time at her graveside to wish her a Happy Birthday. My two brothers and our Dad were there too, and we shared our thoughts, shed some tears, oh how we miss her so! I've dreamed about her twice within the space of maybe 2-3 days last week. She was happy, and she was among her family. In the first dream, I gave her a big hug, so happy to see her, then realized that she wasn't meant to be there. Nevertheless, it appeared that she was meant to be there, with us. In the second dream, I saw her walking towards an adjacent building. When I checked on her, I saw that she was getting dressed in something special for her birthday party. When I told my sister about these dreams, she said that it was probably Mommy's way of making sure that she is not forgotten on her birthday. Ah, but she need not worry, because she will always be in our hearts, our thoughts. We know that she is always with us, wherever we are, whatever we are doing.
Good night, Mommy. I love you. Enjoy your special day with Lolo, Lola, and all our relatives who have gone before the rest of us. We will always hold you close to our hearts.
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