Today I showed up "late" for class, i.e., 9:00AM as opposed to the 6:00AM. Today being a day off, I thought of treating myself with a sleep-in. I still woke up at 5:00AM, but sometimes it is nice to just lay in bed.
As to be expected, classes taught by the beautiful I. are always busy. I managed to secure a front row "seat". Pranayama was strong. As a matter of fact, my Standing Series finished strong. The Floor Series was pretty strong too, although I started to tire out by the stretching pose, just before the Spine Twist. By this time, my mind is already panicking. It's telling me to forego a long final Savasana. However, after the final breathing exercise, I am refreshed again so no early exit for me today.
The atmosphere in the room felt like it was a party. There were lots of yogis, lots of great energy, and hey, the Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round! It was a great class today. Hot, hot, hot! But great, great, great!!!
So tomorrow marks the end of the challenge. Wow, this one flew by so quickly.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Day 28 - The Camel That (Almost) Broke This Yogini's Back
As I pulled into the studio's parking lot early this morning, I caught a glimpse of this familiar looking truck already parked there. I then realized that I will be in for a hardworking, high energy practice for my 28th.
P. (aka Mr. S), who owns that familiar looking truck, works us yogis really, really,
H A R D. Expect prolonged sets of backbends, Awkward, Locust, and the "dreaded" Camel. I appreciate that he praises you for your good form as well as "suggests" tips on how to achieve good form. At the same time, he nudges you to go outside your comfort zone. He never fails to do the latter during second set of Camel. Oh, man, that second set this morning was a killer. I knew that I could hold it for as long as he would like you to hold it--I breathe to calm myself, to overcome the urge to give up. I was pushing my hips forward, more and more and more, but my thighs were screaming at me to get out of the posture ASAP! Just a couple of seconds before P. signalled the end of the second set, I got out with a grunt that resonated relief. I looked around and there were only a few of us who held up to the end. How did I feel? I felt relieved that it's over, but at the same time, I felt that I was successful in pushing myself out of my comfort zone. After having survived the Camel, I know I can survive maybe almost everything life will throw at me.
The Camel did NOT break my back. Nor was there a straw that broke my Camel's back. No matter how my practice starts out, by the time we are ready to do the Camel Pose, I know that my body has been prepared for it. I have yet to sit out the Camel. I hope that day never comes. But if it does, I will learn to let go.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
P. (aka Mr. S), who owns that familiar looking truck, works us yogis really, really,
H A R D. Expect prolonged sets of backbends, Awkward, Locust, and the "dreaded" Camel. I appreciate that he praises you for your good form as well as "suggests" tips on how to achieve good form. At the same time, he nudges you to go outside your comfort zone. He never fails to do the latter during second set of Camel. Oh, man, that second set this morning was a killer. I knew that I could hold it for as long as he would like you to hold it--I breathe to calm myself, to overcome the urge to give up. I was pushing my hips forward, more and more and more, but my thighs were screaming at me to get out of the posture ASAP! Just a couple of seconds before P. signalled the end of the second set, I got out with a grunt that resonated relief. I looked around and there were only a few of us who held up to the end. How did I feel? I felt relieved that it's over, but at the same time, I felt that I was successful in pushing myself out of my comfort zone. After having survived the Camel, I know I can survive maybe almost everything life will throw at me.
The Camel did NOT break my back. Nor was there a straw that broke my Camel's back. No matter how my practice starts out, by the time we are ready to do the Camel Pose, I know that my body has been prepared for it. I have yet to sit out the Camel. I hope that day never comes. But if it does, I will learn to let go.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day 27 - Achy Shaky Start , Strong Finish
I almost didn't make it to the 6:00AM class. I did get up early to get ready, then just before the contacts were put on, I thought of going back to bed and the option to practice right after work. I did go back to bed, stared at the clock, then thought, what the heck, I am awake, I might as well just GO. So GO I did.
My yoga buddy B. was teaching, and it was so nice to have her back. Being Easter Monday, a few of the regulars were absent; there were only nine yogis who showed up. I think I was still half asleep when class started. My mind was up, but my body felt so heavy. My arms felt like they were made of lead AGAIN, that I couldn't hold them up during all the phases of Half Moon. Awkward was very, very shaky, and my knees couldn't hold the posture the whole time. I still have very good control during part three, though. My right knee and leg are the stronger of the two, so they held up well during Eagle. There were lots of falling out during Standing Bow Pulling, but I did try to get back in.
As always, my Floor Series postures were strong. I'm telling you, it's due to that 2-minute Savasana. Just two minutes of being still like a corpse and breathing slowly and steadily are all it takes to re-energize after a very challenging warm-up that is the Standing Series.
Just before I left the studio, B. informed me that I am doing well and that I have come a long way. I told her how much I appreciate knowing this, as although I feel great and I THINK I am progressing, the soul feels even better to get positive feedback from the teachers. Namaste, B.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
My yoga buddy B. was teaching, and it was so nice to have her back. Being Easter Monday, a few of the regulars were absent; there were only nine yogis who showed up. I think I was still half asleep when class started. My mind was up, but my body felt so heavy. My arms felt like they were made of lead AGAIN, that I couldn't hold them up during all the phases of Half Moon. Awkward was very, very shaky, and my knees couldn't hold the posture the whole time. I still have very good control during part three, though. My right knee and leg are the stronger of the two, so they held up well during Eagle. There were lots of falling out during Standing Bow Pulling, but I did try to get back in.
As always, my Floor Series postures were strong. I'm telling you, it's due to that 2-minute Savasana. Just two minutes of being still like a corpse and breathing slowly and steadily are all it takes to re-energize after a very challenging warm-up that is the Standing Series.
Just before I left the studio, B. informed me that I am doing well and that I have come a long way. I told her how much I appreciate knowing this, as although I feel great and I THINK I am progressing, the soul feels even better to get positive feedback from the teachers. Namaste, B.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Day 26 (Domingo de Pascua) - Lead Arms and a Nice Backbend
Before I moved to Canada, Easter holidays started on Maundy Thursday and ended on Easter Sunday and they were spent between my grandparents' town home and at our beach property both located in Atimonan, Quezon (Philippines). These wonderful four days would be spent swimming, eating, playing, lounging around, listening to Beatles records, and of course, the traditional Visita Iglesia (church visit) on the evening of Good Friday. After 3:00PM on Good Friday, we were not allowed to have fun: no swimming, no playing, no listening to music, no noise. We all looked forward for Good Friday to end. On Holy Saturday, we were allowed to go to the beach and swim, then back to town again before dark. On Easter Sunday, we were woken up early, just before the church bells were rung, and when they started tolling we kids were instructed to jump as high as we could. My grandmother had a lot of superstitions, and this was one of them. Apparently, if we jumped high enough we would grow taller. Well, we eventually did, but I think it's because our grandfather was quite a tall man himself. It was the genes that did it and not the Easter Sunday high jumps.
So today, many years since those childhood summers, instead of the Easter Sunday high jumps, I stretched and stretched and stretched for 90 minutes. I haven't measured myself yet, to find out if I gained a few centimetres, but I sure feel taller since I started practicing almost two years ago. My posture has definitely improved A LOT. Today though, after a rockin' practice yesterday, I am tired and my arms felt like lead pipes. I couldn't hold them up after each set of Half Moon Pose, BUT I did manage deep side bends. And lo and behold, teacher J. thought I did a pretty nice backbend. Thanks, J.! I needed that!
Four more days to go. The finish line looms ahead. But the race does not end there. I will just be making a pitstop. I will keep going. How can I not when I just feel absolutely refreshed, energized, revitalized. 60 Day Challenge? Well, maybe.
Happy Easter, Mommy. I love you. I thought about you in class today, and your happy smiling face brought a choke to my throat and tears to my eyes. I miss you so, so much.
So today, many years since those childhood summers, instead of the Easter Sunday high jumps, I stretched and stretched and stretched for 90 minutes. I haven't measured myself yet, to find out if I gained a few centimetres, but I sure feel taller since I started practicing almost two years ago. My posture has definitely improved A LOT. Today though, after a rockin' practice yesterday, I am tired and my arms felt like lead pipes. I couldn't hold them up after each set of Half Moon Pose, BUT I did manage deep side bends. And lo and behold, teacher J. thought I did a pretty nice backbend. Thanks, J.! I needed that!
Four more days to go. The finish line looms ahead. But the race does not end there. I will just be making a pitstop. I will keep going. How can I not when I just feel absolutely refreshed, energized, revitalized. 60 Day Challenge? Well, maybe.
Happy Easter, Mommy. I love you. I thought about you in class today, and your happy smiling face brought a choke to my throat and tears to my eyes. I miss you so, so much.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Day 25 (Sabado de Gloria) - The Best Day Ever!
I decided to bite the bullet and go to the 7:00AM class with only 1/2 hour to spare after class is over before my shift starts. I ran images of how I am going to manage that 1/2 hour: quick final Savasana, quick shower, no hair drying (luckily I am blessed with hair that does not need to be blow-dried in order for it to look presentable!), no chit-chatting, quick dressing, then a safe 10 minute drive to work. SUCCESS! I had 5 minutes to spare so I was able to grab a coffee.
I had the best practice in the challenge ever today! I did fall out a few times during the Balancing Series. I was not perfect, not competition level perfect anyway. The reason why I thought today's practice was the best one out of the 25 was because I tried VERY HARD to do the postures the RIGHT WAY. Bikram said, "There is no yoga-DO, only yoga-TRY". And yoga-TRY I did!
There are a few postures which I am STILL trying to progress on. Sometimes, a lightbulb turns on as I figure out ways to improve on them. Let me give you a rundown on those postures:
Half Moon:
Challenge: I always find it tricky to ensure my hips and shoulders are facing forward, like a flower petal blooming, and not twisted to the side.
Lightbulb Moment: I look at my hands while I am pushing my hips to the side. I found that my hips and shoulders stay where they should be. I also make sure that the body weight is on the HEELS.
Standing Bow Pulling Pose:
Challenge: Keeping the body parallel to the floor and the chin touching the shoulder, trying hard not to fall out of the posture.
Lightbulb Moment: Keeping weight on the big toe of the standing foot; stretching the arm up with chin up and keeping it strong and straight as if to touch the mirror as the body goes down; as you stretch forward keep kicking UP and BACK in order to counter balance the forward motion...thanks, Ida!
Balancing Stick:
Challenge: Maintaining the letter "T" form and not a broken umbrella.
Lightbulb Moment: Like the Standing Bow Pulling Pose, arms should be straight up, chin up, and as you go down keep the strong stretch forward and do not let your arms dangle. Keep the toes of the raised leg pointed and pigeon-toed (I got this tip from attending the late Ren Soriano's posture clinic two years ago), eyes looking straight at the toes of the standing foot in the mirror. I found that as long as I keep my arms strong and straight, I can keep my balance.
I highly recommend Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class book (the "blue book"). It presents the perspectives of the seasoned practitioner and as well as the beginner. It is my Bible :)
So I was told I am over the hump. Yes, I am. But I do welcome humps once in a while. They are good for grounding the ego. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
I had the best practice in the challenge ever today! I did fall out a few times during the Balancing Series. I was not perfect, not competition level perfect anyway. The reason why I thought today's practice was the best one out of the 25 was because I tried VERY HARD to do the postures the RIGHT WAY. Bikram said, "There is no yoga-DO, only yoga-TRY". And yoga-TRY I did!
There are a few postures which I am STILL trying to progress on. Sometimes, a lightbulb turns on as I figure out ways to improve on them. Let me give you a rundown on those postures:
Half Moon:
Challenge: I always find it tricky to ensure my hips and shoulders are facing forward, like a flower petal blooming, and not twisted to the side.
Lightbulb Moment: I look at my hands while I am pushing my hips to the side. I found that my hips and shoulders stay where they should be. I also make sure that the body weight is on the HEELS.
Standing Bow Pulling Pose:
Challenge: Keeping the body parallel to the floor and the chin touching the shoulder, trying hard not to fall out of the posture.
Lightbulb Moment: Keeping weight on the big toe of the standing foot; stretching the arm up with chin up and keeping it strong and straight as if to touch the mirror as the body goes down; as you stretch forward keep kicking UP and BACK in order to counter balance the forward motion...thanks, Ida!
Balancing Stick:
Challenge: Maintaining the letter "T" form and not a broken umbrella.
Lightbulb Moment: Like the Standing Bow Pulling Pose, arms should be straight up, chin up, and as you go down keep the strong stretch forward and do not let your arms dangle. Keep the toes of the raised leg pointed and pigeon-toed (I got this tip from attending the late Ren Soriano's posture clinic two years ago), eyes looking straight at the toes of the standing foot in the mirror. I found that as long as I keep my arms strong and straight, I can keep my balance.
I highly recommend Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class book (the "blue book"). It presents the perspectives of the seasoned practitioner and as well as the beginner. It is my Bible :)
So I was told I am over the hump. Yes, I am. But I do welcome humps once in a while. They are good for grounding the ego. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 24 - A Very Good Day on Good Friday
What can I say, except that this morning's class with L. was totally, totally awesome! I've only been in her class once before, and this was during the early days of my practice. She has this motherly demeanor about her, very encouraging, but at the same time, she gently pushes you to do your best the right way.
Today I have made a "minor" adjustment to my Bow Pose. I now try to keep my feet and knees 6 inches apart while kicking up. As a result, I have not achieved the usual height BUT the form is certainly better. I will do this again tomorrow and see how many centimetres I gain.
My Cobra Pose has definitely improved a lot since I am more conscious of the alignment of my legs and by anchoring my glutes to the floor in order to lift my upper body up without using my hands.
So, only six more days to go. I can see the finish line looming ahead. I am amazed at how quickly and quite smoothly this year's challenge has progressed. Is it because I now have almost two years of experience? Is it because my body is changing, and adapting to this yoga? I can only speculate the answers to these questions.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Today I have made a "minor" adjustment to my Bow Pose. I now try to keep my feet and knees 6 inches apart while kicking up. As a result, I have not achieved the usual height BUT the form is certainly better. I will do this again tomorrow and see how many centimetres I gain.
My Cobra Pose has definitely improved a lot since I am more conscious of the alignment of my legs and by anchoring my glutes to the floor in order to lift my upper body up without using my hands.
So, only six more days to go. I can see the finish line looming ahead. I am amazed at how quickly and quite smoothly this year's challenge has progressed. Is it because I now have almost two years of experience? Is it because my body is changing, and adapting to this yoga? I can only speculate the answers to these questions.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Day 23 - "Who Would Torture Themselves at 6:00AM?"
M E!...and a bunch of other (very) early birds eager to get their practice in first thing in order to set their day right...at least this is how I see it. P. was at the helm this morning, and he was the one who asked the question above. We had finished the Awkward Pose, and yes, at 6:00AM that posture is pretty darn challenging. My legs were shaking, being woken up and given a jolt first thing in the morning.
Yes, it WAS a bit of a torture this morning. I haven't been in at 6:00AM for a couple of days as I have had the luxury of going to the 9:00AM class on my days off. My joints were very stiff, shaky, achy. Knees weren't locking in Hands to Feet, Eagle was painful at times, and my balance was totally off in Standing Bow Pulling Pose. Balancing Stick wasn't bad, but I had to get out early 3 times out of 4.
I can't believe how quickly this challenge has been progressing. It doesn't feel like I've been coming for 23 days straight. I am feeling less aches and soreness this time around. I guess this so-called "torture" I am putting myself through MUST be working. So guys and gals, Bikram Yoga is no sweat. Really. Come in and see and feel for yourself.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Yes, it WAS a bit of a torture this morning. I haven't been in at 6:00AM for a couple of days as I have had the luxury of going to the 9:00AM class on my days off. My joints were very stiff, shaky, achy. Knees weren't locking in Hands to Feet, Eagle was painful at times, and my balance was totally off in Standing Bow Pulling Pose. Balancing Stick wasn't bad, but I had to get out early 3 times out of 4.
I can't believe how quickly this challenge has been progressing. It doesn't feel like I've been coming for 23 days straight. I am feeling less aches and soreness this time around. I guess this so-called "torture" I am putting myself through MUST be working. So guys and gals, Bikram Yoga is no sweat. Really. Come in and see and feel for yourself.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
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