Actually, I have "officially" begun my challenge yesterday, March 30th. I figured, why not? By doing so, I have timed it to end on April 28th, the eve of my Mom's first death anniversary. Last year she passed away on Day 29; I practiced that morning at 6:00AM and she passed away that evening. So for this year, since I've practiced yesterday and today, I thought of just making those two days count.
My stickers are on my calendar at home. I have made arrangements for my daughter to set her alarm so she can get herself ready for school. I will arrive home just in time for me to walk with her to school. She completely supports me in this endeavour. Thanks, sweetie!
So today, I parked myself at the back, right beside the door. Then someone puts her mat down right in front of me, totally blocking my view of the mirror. It would have been okay if she was the type of yogi who has 100% total concentration down pat. Nope, she's a fidgeter. Just before a posture, she checks the state of her fingernails. But surprisingly, not seeing myself in the mirror for once helped my concentration. I was able to focus more on the posture, internalizing it, rather than focusing on MYSELF. By looking at this yogi's hair/nape/back/what have you, I was able to focus. How about that? Talk about a cloud with a silver lining!
Oh and I can never thank teacher O. enough for pointing out that I had my feet a tinge too wide apart during the Awkward Pose. By keeping it at 6 inches apart made a HUGE difference on my endurance. For the first time is so many months, I was able to hold the posture longer! Yay!
Tomorrow brings Day 3 = 572 minutes until it starts. Namaste.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Gearing Up for the 30
Can't believe April is upon us soon. Yes, I am gearing up for my 30 Day Challenge beginning Friday, April 1st. No, I am not a fool...okay I am. At least this is what my colleague Karen thinks. I am still trying to get her into the hot room with me. And boy, she is a hard nut to crack.
Anyway, yes, I've decided to do another challenge. My last one was in April 2010, and I have decided to make it an annual challenge. My practice has been quite regular recently so I am ready to rock and roll. I have also gone to a few 6:00AM classes. I would also like to vary the times when I practice, i.e., go to afternoon or evening classes as well.
Why do a challenge, you may ask? What is the purpose of the challenge? At one point, my hubby thought that this is a competition of some sort, like an ego booster, which is contrary to the essence of yoga. Well, okay, it may appear to be THAT, but speaking for myself, I consider it as a means to discover what my body is capable of when subjected to a CHALLENGE. It is not just a physical challenge; it is also a mental challenge. I think it's more mental than physical. The postures require you to concentrate and meditate, blocking any distractions, be it an itch here, a hair out of place there (physical), a bad day at the office, traffic, cranky kids (mental). Bikram Choudhury himself said, "Let no one steal your peace". So, so true.
Looking back from the challenge I completed last year, I remember feeling a sense of accomplishment, also reveling at how transformed I was physically and mentally. To be brutally frank, I love myself more, I just feel more beautiful, sexy, inside and out.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Anyway, yes, I've decided to do another challenge. My last one was in April 2010, and I have decided to make it an annual challenge. My practice has been quite regular recently so I am ready to rock and roll. I have also gone to a few 6:00AM classes. I would also like to vary the times when I practice, i.e., go to afternoon or evening classes as well.
Why do a challenge, you may ask? What is the purpose of the challenge? At one point, my hubby thought that this is a competition of some sort, like an ego booster, which is contrary to the essence of yoga. Well, okay, it may appear to be THAT, but speaking for myself, I consider it as a means to discover what my body is capable of when subjected to a CHALLENGE. It is not just a physical challenge; it is also a mental challenge. I think it's more mental than physical. The postures require you to concentrate and meditate, blocking any distractions, be it an itch here, a hair out of place there (physical), a bad day at the office, traffic, cranky kids (mental). Bikram Choudhury himself said, "Let no one steal your peace". So, so true.
Looking back from the challenge I completed last year, I remember feeling a sense of accomplishment, also reveling at how transformed I was physically and mentally. To be brutally frank, I love myself more, I just feel more beautiful, sexy, inside and out.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Dizzies, Locked Knees, and Bruisies
The first two go together in Hands to Feet Pose, I've just discovered. At last, I could lock my knees, but soon after I stand up, the Dizzies come back with a vengeance. I have no choice but to sit down and hope that somehow I'd recover soon enough to do a second set of the Half Moon series.
The bruise on my left thigh looks pretty horrid, at the stage now where it's black, blue, and red. Add to that is that round, puncture-shape break on my skin where that Lab's fang made contact. I was thinking of wearing my cropped pants instead of my shorts, but in the end decided on the latter. I thought I'd just hide in the back for today's class.
I arrived at the studio later than usual, so all the back row spots have been taken. No choice but to practice up front. Oh well, it will be a good test for concentration, right? Both for me and the other yogis.
I managed the Eagle Pose well, despite feeling some pain when I had to cross over my left thigh. Overall, today's practice wasn't too bad, although I could feel the effects of having two days off. Our teacher today suggested that it would be a good idea to vary the practice times. I am a morning person, so I prefer to practice in the morning. But after O's suggestion, I just might try to practice in the evening, when hubby is home. I've done it before, I just couldn't remember what it was like. I will keep y'all posted on this note.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
The bruise on my left thigh looks pretty horrid, at the stage now where it's black, blue, and red. Add to that is that round, puncture-shape break on my skin where that Lab's fang made contact. I was thinking of wearing my cropped pants instead of my shorts, but in the end decided on the latter. I thought I'd just hide in the back for today's class.
I arrived at the studio later than usual, so all the back row spots have been taken. No choice but to practice up front. Oh well, it will be a good test for concentration, right? Both for me and the other yogis.
I managed the Eagle Pose well, despite feeling some pain when I had to cross over my left thigh. Overall, today's practice wasn't too bad, although I could feel the effects of having two days off. Our teacher today suggested that it would be a good idea to vary the practice times. I am a morning person, so I prefer to practice in the morning. But after O's suggestion, I just might try to practice in the evening, when hubby is home. I've done it before, I just couldn't remember what it was like. I will keep y'all posted on this note.
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
316 Minutes...
...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.
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.
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.
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