Yup, I'm like that Energizer bunny that keeps going...and going...Believe me, I was planning on taking a rest after completing the 30 D-C, but why stop when I still have the momentum? Or maybe it's more like I am just afraid to stop because I might not want to start again? The 5-week hiatus last winter was the worst thing I have ever done in the history of my practice. It was a very difficult journey towards getting back to where I ought to be. Once I got going, everything is all right in my yoga world again. I am loving every minute of my practice, and especially AFTER! that taking a rest is in the back burner for now. Teacher Laurel said that I should stop when I feel like I REALLY want to take a break. She told me about her friend who kept going for 805(?) days, and she's about 60 years old. Then she stopped, and that's okay. I don't know about 805 for me...but knowing that it's possible, I will keep that in mind.
I was at our local pub one evening with my work family, and one of the ladies told another colleague that I am a Bikram yoga practitioner. He said that being one will allow me to enjoy my pub grub without guilt--I had a Mediterranean pizza and a peach cooler, and a few nibbles of nachos to start :) I love to eat, and I must admit that during Savasana, I do think about FOOD. This morning I couldn't wait to have some Kombucha! I love that it's sparkling like Coca-Cola, which I still drink but in moderation, but so much better for you.
So, there are 28 days more to go until the 60 Day Challenge is over...hmmm, it doesn't seem that long. Better stock up on stickers...
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Day 30 - THE END...For Now, That Is!
This challenge has flown by so quickly that I there were times when I've forgotten what day I am on. Mind you, I started on March 30th, so not going by the calendar month made it tricky. In as much as it felt like a "breeze", it was not smooth sailing.
I had a few days where I felt dizzy, especially after Half Moon Pose. I was also nursing a bum right elbow, after injuring it two months prior to the start of the challenge. My knees seem to hurt more these days; I used to rock the Awkward and Eagle Poses. Now, holding it for the duration are few and far between. It may be that I practice at 6:00AM more often; I found that later classes seem to work better for these old knees.
Despite these kinks, I did notice a few improvements. I am pretty close to locking my knees in Hands to Feet Pose ("Engage your quads, Lorrena!" - Mr. S). The first backbends (in the Half Moon Series) are slowly getting deeper. There have been a couple of times when my forehead touched my right knee in Standing Head to Knee. Standing Bow Pulling Pose is almost pretty at times. Balancing Stick is looking more like Tom that a broken umbrella. My forehead has been touching the floor in Standing Separate Leg Stretching 100% of the time.
The animal postures are definitely looking good. Cobra has improved so much since teacher O. corrected my alignment; I've been very conscious of this ever since, and my bellybutton has the sole attention of the floor. The Locusts are definitely gaining some height. I've never feared the Camel, and I am confident that I can keep up with Mr. S's extended sets. Not sure yet how I am doing with my Rabbit; somehow I can't tell if my thighs are perpendicular to the floor.
Today, teacher C. talked about doing doubles, that is, practicing at 6:00AM and in the afternoon. I have done a back-to-back (two straight classes in one day). I would like to do an AM/PM practice, to compare it to the back-to-back. If we keep raising the bar, we are giving ourselves the opportunity to discover what we are capable of achieving.
Since I have a few days off to spare, I will continue with daily practice. This IS raising the bar for me...what have I got to lose?
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
I had a few days where I felt dizzy, especially after Half Moon Pose. I was also nursing a bum right elbow, after injuring it two months prior to the start of the challenge. My knees seem to hurt more these days; I used to rock the Awkward and Eagle Poses. Now, holding it for the duration are few and far between. It may be that I practice at 6:00AM more often; I found that later classes seem to work better for these old knees.
Despite these kinks, I did notice a few improvements. I am pretty close to locking my knees in Hands to Feet Pose ("Engage your quads, Lorrena!" - Mr. S). The first backbends (in the Half Moon Series) are slowly getting deeper. There have been a couple of times when my forehead touched my right knee in Standing Head to Knee. Standing Bow Pulling Pose is almost pretty at times. Balancing Stick is looking more like Tom that a broken umbrella. My forehead has been touching the floor in Standing Separate Leg Stretching 100% of the time.
The animal postures are definitely looking good. Cobra has improved so much since teacher O. corrected my alignment; I've been very conscious of this ever since, and my bellybutton has the sole attention of the floor. The Locusts are definitely gaining some height. I've never feared the Camel, and I am confident that I can keep up with Mr. S's extended sets. Not sure yet how I am doing with my Rabbit; somehow I can't tell if my thighs are perpendicular to the floor.
Today, teacher C. talked about doing doubles, that is, practicing at 6:00AM and in the afternoon. I have done a back-to-back (two straight classes in one day). I would like to do an AM/PM practice, to compare it to the back-to-back. If we keep raising the bar, we are giving ourselves the opportunity to discover what we are capable of achieving.
Since I have a few days off to spare, I will continue with daily practice. This IS raising the bar for me...what have I got to lose?
Good night, Mommy. I love you.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Day 29 - A Yoga Party
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.
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.
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.
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