...that my tennis elbow is on a true mend after only 2 1/2 weeks? I've practiced twice without the brace, and although I could still feel some painful twitches, I am now able to position my arms underneath my body in Locust. The Rabbit Pose, which was the most painful, is now do-able.
Love it or hate it, in my case, it's true love that I feel for this yoga. I've read a few sentiments about it, both positve and negative. As much as I am an advocate--yeah, I was called Crazy Woman by a couple of friends--I do accept that it is not for everybody. All I can do is to continue practicing and be the walking proof of its benefits. The most notable ones that I could think of are: 1. I've never had a bad case of a cold or cough, or the flu since I started practicing; 2. I've had people compliment me on my good posture; 3. My clothes are fitting better; 4. I just feel damn GREAT!!!
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
This Week in Retrospect
Great, great, great! It feels so good to be back on a regular basis, that is, a 3-days-a-week practice. I would love to practice EVERYDAY, you know, make it routine like taking a shower and brushing your teeth, but unfortunately, the way my life is right now, I can only manage 3 days and depending on how my work schedule is laid out, 4 days tops. I would love to raise my hand whenever our teacher asks who among us is doing the 30 or 60 Day Challenge. Fellow yogis have been asking me if I am doing the challenge. Well, I am aiming for April and making it an annual April 30 Day Challenge. The significance of April is that I did it in April of last year, and that my Mom passed away on Day 29. I missed Day 30, but I somehow, miraculously, managed to practice on May 1st. It was surreal. I was in tears for the most part, but I pulled through. I thought of making it my personal tribute to her, as she is very special to me. No, she was not a yogi, but she lived her life with honesty, integrity, and grace...virtues that I hope I will emulate and impress upon my daughter one day.
How has my practice been? Well, I am happy to report that it has "kickstarted" into gear after being on hiatus during the Christmas holidays. Instead of feeling reluctant to get up and go, I now couldn't wait to get back to the hot room again. I have been called "crazy" by some friends, crazy for loving this yoga, crazy for spending 90 minutes in the heat and humidity (well, I do have the advantage of being born and raised in a hot and humid country, though), crazy for not minding the body odours, crazy for not minding being sometimes hit by sweat beads flung by other yogis, the list goes on. Oh yeah, and crazy for not drinking water for 90 minutes. Oh my friends, you have not discovered the power of being able to master your monkey minds. I was reading Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class book and he pointed out the saying, "The mind is willing, but the body is weak" as not true. Rather, it is the body that is willing, and the mind is weak. I do agree with him. During conversation with a fellow yogi after class, she wondered how I could "survive" not taking water during class, and eyes got even wider when I told her that it has been 11 months of doing so. All I said was, pointing to my temple, "It's all in the mind. Personally, it is a distraction." I will say it again. Anything is possible, if you just put your mind to it.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
How has my practice been? Well, I am happy to report that it has "kickstarted" into gear after being on hiatus during the Christmas holidays. Instead of feeling reluctant to get up and go, I now couldn't wait to get back to the hot room again. I have been called "crazy" by some friends, crazy for loving this yoga, crazy for spending 90 minutes in the heat and humidity (well, I do have the advantage of being born and raised in a hot and humid country, though), crazy for not minding the body odours, crazy for not minding being sometimes hit by sweat beads flung by other yogis, the list goes on. Oh yeah, and crazy for not drinking water for 90 minutes. Oh my friends, you have not discovered the power of being able to master your monkey minds. I was reading Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class book and he pointed out the saying, "The mind is willing, but the body is weak" as not true. Rather, it is the body that is willing, and the mind is weak. I do agree with him. During conversation with a fellow yogi after class, she wondered how I could "survive" not taking water during class, and eyes got even wider when I told her that it has been 11 months of doing so. All I said was, pointing to my temple, "It's all in the mind. Personally, it is a distraction." I will say it again. Anything is possible, if you just put your mind to it.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Four Classes After the T.E. Incident
So far so good. I've had 4 classes tucked under my belt since injuring my right elbow last Sunday. Full arm extensions are still painful in Half Moon and Locust. Eagle and Rabbit are still not "there", but I am still thankful to be able to last 90 minutes.
At last! I survived Trikanasana (Triangle) at class today! And the forehead also touched the floor in Separate Leg Stretching once or twice. I guess my hips are opening up and the hamstrings are waking up. It is such a great feeling to experience even a centimetre or two of progress.
I have a couple of days off from practice so I hope that this won't set me back. Well, even if it does, one just has to start again. Even with all these setbacks and challenges, nothing beats coming to the torture chamber, being "killed" for 90 minutes, then feeling like a million bucks afterward.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
At last! I survived Trikanasana (Triangle) at class today! And the forehead also touched the floor in Separate Leg Stretching once or twice. I guess my hips are opening up and the hamstrings are waking up. It is such a great feeling to experience even a centimetre or two of progress.
I have a couple of days off from practice so I hope that this won't set me back. Well, even if it does, one just has to start again. Even with all these setbacks and challenges, nothing beats coming to the torture chamber, being "killed" for 90 minutes, then feeling like a million bucks afterward.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
A New Challenge: Practicing with a Tennis Elbow
I am not a tennis player. My Dad was, and an avid one at that, until he reached his 80s and realised that he could no longer run as fast as he should in order to return the ball. When I was a teenager, he would take me with him to the courts on Sundays. I didn't get the chance to watch him play competitively, though. Basically, this Sunday ritual was his way of keeping fit. He also hoped that I would take on the sport. I was not made for tennis, rather, I preferred to play volleyball.
Last Sunday, while preparing supper, I acquired this tennis elbow. That really hurt. I've never had an injury this bad before, considering that I was a very active kid. I was worried that my yoga practice will be put on hold during the healing process.
I saw my doctor and he advised me to wear a brace. I also asked my yoga buddy/instructor B. if I could still practice, and she said that it's okay to do so as long as I take it easy. I felt so relieved! I can't imagine myself not practicing, and I do know that I will terribly miss it.
I practiced yesterday and today, wearing the brace. I took it really easy yesterday. The postures I went easy on were the Half Moon, Eagle, Locust, and Rabbit. The Rabbit posture hurt the most. Today, I decided to push myself a little bit, and I made some progress with these postures. I listened to my elbow, and backed off when I had to.
When we were in Savasana today, our instructor C. said that we kill ourselves for 90 minutes in the hot room so we can feel great AFTER. Yeah, she hit the nail right on the head. No pain, no gain. It's all good. I've never been more inspired to continue practicing. Even with this injury. Anything is possible. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Last Sunday, while preparing supper, I acquired this tennis elbow. That really hurt. I've never had an injury this bad before, considering that I was a very active kid. I was worried that my yoga practice will be put on hold during the healing process.
I saw my doctor and he advised me to wear a brace. I also asked my yoga buddy/instructor B. if I could still practice, and she said that it's okay to do so as long as I take it easy. I felt so relieved! I can't imagine myself not practicing, and I do know that I will terribly miss it.
I practiced yesterday and today, wearing the brace. I took it really easy yesterday. The postures I went easy on were the Half Moon, Eagle, Locust, and Rabbit. The Rabbit posture hurt the most. Today, I decided to push myself a little bit, and I made some progress with these postures. I listened to my elbow, and backed off when I had to.
When we were in Savasana today, our instructor C. said that we kill ourselves for 90 minutes in the hot room so we can feel great AFTER. Yeah, she hit the nail right on the head. No pain, no gain. It's all good. I've never been more inspired to continue practicing. Even with this injury. Anything is possible. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Yesterday and Today
I am wrapping up two practices in one blog post, just so I can keep track of my progress.
Today's practice was the end of a three day run. I almost didn't make it this morning. Thanks to my hubby who constantly egged me to get out of bed at 6:30AM on a SUNDAY and make it to class. I think he just wanted the whole bed to himself. Ha ha! Anyway, I have two days rest, back on Wednesday and Thursday, one day rest, then Sunday. I hope I can continue practicing at least three days a week.
It was not a busy class. It was just us crazy people who chose to be in a hot room over sleeping in :) Well, I did appreciate the extra room to accommodate all our wings taking off for Full Locust.
I am still struggling with Awkward, Eagle, and Triangle Poses. I used to be able to nail these ones last year. I feel frustrated, but on the other hand, other postures that I've had trouble with are the ones now that I have improved upon: Standing Head to Knee and the Stretching Pose.
Faced with these "setbacks", I guess I should not consider them as such, but think of them as challenges. One must not remain stagnant. It is good to go outside the comfort box. Our instructor yesterday hit the nail on the head when she said that for us who have been practicing for a while, we must constantly look to improve upon other things. I think this won't be difficult to do as this yoga seems to know when to throw a curveball, when to bring us back to earth and not rest on our laurels. This yoga is meant to be practiced for a lifetime, and I believe the journey will be pretty exciting and humbling. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Today's practice was the end of a three day run. I almost didn't make it this morning. Thanks to my hubby who constantly egged me to get out of bed at 6:30AM on a SUNDAY and make it to class. I think he just wanted the whole bed to himself. Ha ha! Anyway, I have two days rest, back on Wednesday and Thursday, one day rest, then Sunday. I hope I can continue practicing at least three days a week.
It was not a busy class. It was just us crazy people who chose to be in a hot room over sleeping in :) Well, I did appreciate the extra room to accommodate all our wings taking off for Full Locust.
I am still struggling with Awkward, Eagle, and Triangle Poses. I used to be able to nail these ones last year. I feel frustrated, but on the other hand, other postures that I've had trouble with are the ones now that I have improved upon: Standing Head to Knee and the Stretching Pose.
Faced with these "setbacks", I guess I should not consider them as such, but think of them as challenges. One must not remain stagnant. It is good to go outside the comfort box. Our instructor yesterday hit the nail on the head when she said that for us who have been practicing for a while, we must constantly look to improve upon other things. I think this won't be difficult to do as this yoga seems to know when to throw a curveball, when to bring us back to earth and not rest on our laurels. This yoga is meant to be practiced for a lifetime, and I believe the journey will be pretty exciting and humbling. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
It's A Good Day
So very happy to show up for class this morning. I was given a treat of a Friday off which doesn't happen very often. I have had other opportunities of having the "odd" day off (meaning, other than a Wednesday and Sunday) and I have "squandered" them. So today I decided to show up for class. I am so glad I did.
Whew! It was a HOT and BUSY one! I showed up pretty early, well, early enough to secure a good spot up front. I was able to relax and even try on (and later purchase) a new top and bottom which I was very pleased with. By the way, I still am not taking water during class. This month marks month #10 of no water. I look around the room and everyone else has their water bottles. It's amazing how I've come this far without taking water during class. Even during really hot classes--well, by the time reality kicks in, the class is well underway and I don't really want to leave the room. As long as I come well hydrated, I am good to go. It's a mental thing. And a breath thing. Really. Trust me.
Standing Head to Knee is still going strong. Balancing Stick is better; Eagle and Triangle, not so much. My knees still can't seem to hold these postures the entire time. My feet hurt during Toe Stand, thus creating "flat tires"--this is Bikram's way of describing those who rest their bums on their heels rather than stretching up and keeping a gap between the bum and heel. Separate Leg Stretching is getting better, although my hamstrings hurt.
So, there goes another day, another practice. As I finish this post, I must get some shut eye as I plan on getting up in about 5 1/2 hours to get ready for my next class. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Whew! It was a HOT and BUSY one! I showed up pretty early, well, early enough to secure a good spot up front. I was able to relax and even try on (and later purchase) a new top and bottom which I was very pleased with. By the way, I still am not taking water during class. This month marks month #10 of no water. I look around the room and everyone else has their water bottles. It's amazing how I've come this far without taking water during class. Even during really hot classes--well, by the time reality kicks in, the class is well underway and I don't really want to leave the room. As long as I come well hydrated, I am good to go. It's a mental thing. And a breath thing. Really. Trust me.
Standing Head to Knee is still going strong. Balancing Stick is better; Eagle and Triangle, not so much. My knees still can't seem to hold these postures the entire time. My feet hurt during Toe Stand, thus creating "flat tires"--this is Bikram's way of describing those who rest their bums on their heels rather than stretching up and keeping a gap between the bum and heel. Separate Leg Stretching is getting better, although my hamstrings hurt.
So, there goes another day, another practice. As I finish this post, I must get some shut eye as I plan on getting up in about 5 1/2 hours to get ready for my next class. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Trying to Stay on the Saddle
I have my Wednesday off back!!! AND! I get to practice yoga TODAY!
I always get Wednesdays off. But for the past two Wednesdays, I've been scheduled to work. As much as I welcome the extra dollars, having the middle of the work week off breaks the monotony of having to show up for work for five days straight. My Wednesday yoga practice is always something I look forward to.
I had two rest days since my last practice. My practice today was certainly a lot better than the last time. As I moved from posture to posture, I started to notice where the Christmas goodies have gone to rest: my waistline, my thighs, my neck. My flexibility has been compromised; I still have a few inches to go before I could touch my forehead to the floor in Separate Leg Stretching. However, my Standing Head to Knee seems to keep going strong. I tried to touch my head to my knee and I almost did for a split second before I had to release. I know one day I will be successful. Looking back on how my very first practice was and where I was, and comparing it to where I am now, I know that anything is possible...one practice at a time. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
I always get Wednesdays off. But for the past two Wednesdays, I've been scheduled to work. As much as I welcome the extra dollars, having the middle of the work week off breaks the monotony of having to show up for work for five days straight. My Wednesday yoga practice is always something I look forward to.
I had two rest days since my last practice. My practice today was certainly a lot better than the last time. As I moved from posture to posture, I started to notice where the Christmas goodies have gone to rest: my waistline, my thighs, my neck. My flexibility has been compromised; I still have a few inches to go before I could touch my forehead to the floor in Separate Leg Stretching. However, my Standing Head to Knee seems to keep going strong. I tried to touch my head to my knee and I almost did for a split second before I had to release. I know one day I will be successful. Looking back on how my very first practice was and where I was, and comparing it to where I am now, I know that anything is possible...one practice at a time. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
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