...until the 9:00AM class...
When you log on to my home studio's web site, they have a countdown until the next class. Well, theirs would be shorter than mine as there is a 6:00AM class. Geez, I must be such a yoga freak that I am counting down the minutes until the 90 minute torture starts.
I will be facing that mirror tomorrow morning, and something black and blue will be staring back at me. I have this nasty big bruise on my left thigh. A dog bit me while I was walking Trudy on Sunday morning. This 12 year old Labrador suddenly twigged on Trudy and bit her cheek, then turned on me when I tried to pull her away from the attack. Luckily I was wearing jeans that morning, and his fangs didn't puncture the material, but it was strong enough to break the skin. I had to compose myself as it hurt so much! The owner was very apologetic, and I told him to put a muzzle on his dog, especially after he told me that for some reason he does not like big dogs. I will sure keep an eye on him from now on, and to say something if I don't see that muzzle clamped on his dog.
So, I bet the Eagle Pose will hurt tomorrow. Rather that than get the dizzies again. It has been an interesting 2011 practice so far...
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Aftermath and Intermission
Back to work after Spring Break. I have taken advantage of the break by practicing practically everyday. Yesterday, I went to Bikram Yoga in the morning, then to Restorative Yoga in the evening with my niece. This morning I felt wonderful, albeit a little sore after being stretched and bent yesterday.
No practice today. I thought I'd let the little one get back into the school routine before I try to go to the 6:00AM classes again. I am planning on doing a 30 Day Challenge in April. I checked my work schedule and it looks do-able. So we will see how it goes.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
No practice today. I thought I'd let the little one get back into the school routine before I try to go to the 6:00AM classes again. I am planning on doing a 30 Day Challenge in April. I checked my work schedule and it looks do-able. So we will see how it goes.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Restorative Yoga
Our local Lululemon store sponsors community classes every Sunday evening. These are held at their store in beautiful downtown Victoria. I thought I'd give it a try; what the heck, it's free and it's good to try other yoga flavours. I brought my niece along, and she and I enjoyed the hour-long class very much.
I am thankful that I've had 2 years of Bikram Yoga experience to back me up on some of the postures tonight. My hamstrings were loose enough for my legs to be stretched upward with my the soles of my feet facing the ceiling. My hips are also open enough to stay on the floor when they need to. My favourites were the Pigeon Pose and the Happy Baby Pose.
The purpose of Restorative Yoga is for your body and mind to relax and have a good night's sleep. We left the store feeling ready for bed. Yes, I am still up blogging and I am just waiting for my night owl of a daughter to get settled for the night. I am looking forward to having a glass of wine with my hubby before we get settled in ourselves. Life is good. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
I am thankful that I've had 2 years of Bikram Yoga experience to back me up on some of the postures tonight. My hamstrings were loose enough for my legs to be stretched upward with my the soles of my feet facing the ceiling. My hips are also open enough to stay on the floor when they need to. My favourites were the Pigeon Pose and the Happy Baby Pose.
The purpose of Restorative Yoga is for your body and mind to relax and have a good night's sleep. We left the store feeling ready for bed. Yes, I am still up blogging and I am just waiting for my night owl of a daughter to get settled for the night. I am looking forward to having a glass of wine with my hubby before we get settled in ourselves. Life is good. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Sit Down, Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat...
Yup, me the boat. I had to sit down for most of the first set of the Standing Series postures after Standing Head to Knee. Was it because I practiced at a different studio? I've practiced there before, and I was able to secure a gorgeous spot up front beside the windows overlooking Fort Street. It was a very HOT class, and it wasn't even jampacked despite today's classes being all Karma. Who knows? Just another curve ball...again!
Despite the discomfort, I was very happy to do my part to practice today in support of the Japan Disaster Relief. I have a soft spot for Japan. Mommy spent a few months there in the '60's and '70's for her post-graduate studies. She brought me there when she attended a seminar. We stayed at a skyscraper of a hotel in the Shinjuku business district. We went to Tokyo Disneyland and rode the bullet train. Happy memories indeed.
Tomorrow, I am back to work, so my practice would have to rest for a couple of days. I am looking forward to return to my home studio. There's no place like home.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Despite the discomfort, I was very happy to do my part to practice today in support of the Japan Disaster Relief. I have a soft spot for Japan. Mommy spent a few months there in the '60's and '70's for her post-graduate studies. She brought me there when she attended a seminar. We stayed at a skyscraper of a hotel in the Shinjuku business district. We went to Tokyo Disneyland and rode the bullet train. Happy memories indeed.
Tomorrow, I am back to work, so my practice would have to rest for a couple of days. I am looking forward to return to my home studio. There's no place like home.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
A Case of The Dizzies
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.
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.
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.
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