Iron count must have been low. I had a strong first set of Half Moon and I locked my knees during Hands to Feet Pose. When I got up, then started to do the second set, that light-headed feeling set in, then my balance gave in, and I had to sit down to recover. What WAS that? Never happened to me before, being so light-headed that I had to sit down. Another curve ball.
Anyway, with the Standing Series done, the 2-minute Savasana was a treat to fully enjoy! During Wind Removing Pose, I noticed that there were a couple of yogis who used towels to keep hands from slipping off from their knees. I did that once during the early days of my practice and was advised by our instructor to ditch the towel and try to build the strength of my hands. I'm glad I listened because I certainly do not need it now. Another improvement worth mentioning is that my lower back is definitely stronger now as I can hold the Cobra Pose well. My Triangle Pose is touch and go; there are good days and bad days. My knees are not up to par that these days the Awkward Pose and the Eagle Pose (at times) are a challenge to hold.
Tomorrow is another day to look forward to. I wonder if Dizzies will be back. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, plus those arms and legs in Eagle Pose, that they won't.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Just Another Challenge...
No, not the 30 Day kind, but rather, one that involves the female anatomy. Yesterday afternoon, my head ached for some reason. It might have been that I've had my contact lenses on for too long, or maybe I haven't hydrated enough after class, or it could be that extra cup of coffee which I don't normally take. A trip to the bathroom solved the mystery...the monthly curse has been cast upon me. Shoot. I had bought a cute bottom from Mika Yoga Wear, the colour of pale lavender (officially labeled "Orchid") that I was looking forward to wearing today. Scratch that idea. Out comes the black shorts, perfect for "that time of the month".
I woke up this morning, that headache now diminished a little, and monkey mind pipes in, "Maybe you should not practice this morning, maybe wait a few hours and go this evening". Ugh. Evenings are reserved for my hubby and kiddie. I want to play Monopoly with them again tonight. As much as I would love to go to evening classes, just for a change, I must admit that I shut down in the evening. Anyway, monkey mind lost this battle, and off I go into the black morning and onward ho to the ol' studio.
Upon arrival, with our instructor J.'s happy smiling face greeting me, I decided to park my mat by the door this time. It's good to switch places just for a change of scenery, so to speak. Well, okay, it's really because of "that time of the month" and I'm not really feeling up to par. I would like to be able to enjoy a few drafts from the gap under the door. Anyway, it's usually pretty quiet during the 6:00AM class. About maybe 20 tops. But lo and behold, the room was close to packed; someone thought there were 30! Very unusual for 6:00AM, but I am not complaining. Having more people means more energy. Who does not like more energy, right?
So, the practice is still going strong. During Savasana, I was thinking about my progress. It feels as if I have hit a plateau. Sure, I recognize my limitations. I may not be able to execute a Standing Bow Pulling Pose with the raised leg pointing straight up to the ceiling. I may not even be able to hold the Standing Head to Knee for the full count. However, I pulled myself back to earth, and thought about what Bikram said, that there is no yoga-DO, only yoga-TRY. Yoga-TRY is all I can do. Who knows, I may have the biggest surprise of my life yet! Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
PS: Headache is gone.
I woke up this morning, that headache now diminished a little, and monkey mind pipes in, "Maybe you should not practice this morning, maybe wait a few hours and go this evening". Ugh. Evenings are reserved for my hubby and kiddie. I want to play Monopoly with them again tonight. As much as I would love to go to evening classes, just for a change, I must admit that I shut down in the evening. Anyway, monkey mind lost this battle, and off I go into the black morning and onward ho to the ol' studio.
Upon arrival, with our instructor J.'s happy smiling face greeting me, I decided to park my mat by the door this time. It's good to switch places just for a change of scenery, so to speak. Well, okay, it's really because of "that time of the month" and I'm not really feeling up to par. I would like to be able to enjoy a few drafts from the gap under the door. Anyway, it's usually pretty quiet during the 6:00AM class. About maybe 20 tops. But lo and behold, the room was close to packed; someone thought there were 30! Very unusual for 6:00AM, but I am not complaining. Having more people means more energy. Who does not like more energy, right?
So, the practice is still going strong. During Savasana, I was thinking about my progress. It feels as if I have hit a plateau. Sure, I recognize my limitations. I may not be able to execute a Standing Bow Pulling Pose with the raised leg pointing straight up to the ceiling. I may not even be able to hold the Standing Head to Knee for the full count. However, I pulled myself back to earth, and thought about what Bikram said, that there is no yoga-DO, only yoga-TRY. Yoga-TRY is all I can do. Who knows, I may have the biggest surprise of my life yet! Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
PS: Headache is gone.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
How Can You Not...
...love Bikram Yoga? I will be celebrating my 2nd birthday (i.e., as a yogini) in June. Looking back, it has been a great ride. Nothing else has captured AND kept my attention and then turn into a PASSION like Bikram Yoga. My husband is quite relieved that at last, I have something to do for me, and as a consequence, it benefits him and our daughter as well. Happy wife and mother, happy life, right?
I went to the 6:00AM class again this morning. It's great that I can take my time to enjoy final Savasana and not have to rush out. It feels so good to be back to practicing on a regular schedule again. It's nice for Mrs. Forehead to touch the floor without my hamstrings crying out. Even better is when the Camel Posture is something to look forward to, and not to be afraid of. I love that every class is different from the last, that my body surprises me with a curve ball here and there. One can be frustrated by this, as normally you'd expect that practice makes perfect, right? But in this yoga, nothing is perfect. How humbling can that be?
I don't know about you, but I am sticking with this. Hopefully I will continue to practice even in my dessert years. When I saw my dentist today, he remarked how well I looked and asked if I take some sort of treatment. I told him I practice Bikram Yoga, that's it. I wonder if he will try it himself. I am keeping my fingers...and legs crossed as in the Eagle Pose...hah!
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
I went to the 6:00AM class again this morning. It's great that I can take my time to enjoy final Savasana and not have to rush out. It feels so good to be back to practicing on a regular schedule again. It's nice for Mrs. Forehead to touch the floor without my hamstrings crying out. Even better is when the Camel Posture is something to look forward to, and not to be afraid of. I love that every class is different from the last, that my body surprises me with a curve ball here and there. One can be frustrated by this, as normally you'd expect that practice makes perfect, right? But in this yoga, nothing is perfect. How humbling can that be?
I don't know about you, but I am sticking with this. Hopefully I will continue to practice even in my dessert years. When I saw my dentist today, he remarked how well I looked and asked if I take some sort of treatment. I told him I practice Bikram Yoga, that's it. I wonder if he will try it himself. I am keeping my fingers...and legs crossed as in the Eagle Pose...hah!
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Real Test for My Monkey Mind
'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.
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.
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.
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