Thursday, December 15, 2011
Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge--Day 27: Wednesday, 12/14/11
Finally home at the midnight hour. Fresh from what will hopefully be my last 9:45pm Bikram Yoga class...ever! Another long day but got it done. The room was hotter than hell tonight. The last class of the evening is generally like a furnace. I was so happy to get done tonight. Let's just say the 90 minutes felt like 90 minutes. When 11:15pm finally dragged around, it felt soooo good. Again, I'm feeling so great having made it into the studio tonight and putting my time in. Always feeling better for just doing it. Always feeling better at the end of class than at the beginning.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge--Day 26: Tuesday, 12/13/11
On the 26th Day, it occurs to me that I have achieved what I set out to do with this Challenge. I have felt such a level of calmness in my practice and in my life. In the first few weeks of the Challenge, I was more observational about the practice and the Yoga. Now, I practice from an internal place that has very little to do with who else is in the room or even the instructor.
I am now able to just go to class and let the experience happen. It is so much easier to be in that space. The path of least resistance if you will. Of course, some of this is the joy that happens as you get closer to achieving a goal. I am thankful on this day that it feels so good to be nearing the home stretch.
Most of it, I think, is what happens when you make something a good habit. It becomes instinct. Part of who you have trained yourself to become. The execution becomes easier because you have done the work to build a solid foundation.
I am now able to just go to class and let the experience happen. It is so much easier to be in that space. The path of least resistance if you will. Of course, some of this is the joy that happens as you get closer to achieving a goal. I am thankful on this day that it feels so good to be nearing the home stretch.
Most of it, I think, is what happens when you make something a good habit. It becomes instinct. Part of who you have trained yourself to become. The execution becomes easier because you have done the work to build a solid foundation.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge--Day 25: Monday, 12/12/11
The closer you get to finishing something...anything...the more exciting it gets. And so on Day 25, I'm am enjoying where I am but looking forward to this Saturday. Day 30.
When I first started this Challenge, I wasn't quite sure how I was going to be able to fit in all this Yoga into a super busy schedule. But the truth of the matter really is that we have the ability to make the things happen that we choose to. I have scores of amazing moms in my classes who balance kids, husband, and a job but manage to make themselves and their workouts a priority.
We can do anything that we put our minds to!
When I first started this Challenge, I wasn't quite sure how I was going to be able to fit in all this Yoga into a super busy schedule. But the truth of the matter really is that we have the ability to make the things happen that we choose to. I have scores of amazing moms in my classes who balance kids, husband, and a job but manage to make themselves and their workouts a priority.
We can do anything that we put our minds to!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge--Day 24: Sunday, 12/11/11
I was having dinner with a friend of mine last night when the subject inevitably turned to "Why are you doing 30 days of Yoga?" Apparently even my friends are not reading my daily blog. So I figure that today, on Day 24, is a good a day as any to address that subject again.
Obviously, or maybe not so to you, I am not doing this Challenge as a physical thing. I teach classes 6 days a week. 25 classes a week to be exact. I'm a runner as well, although I have had to put that aside for the duration of this Challenge. I don't need or really want to do more "exercising". I am not trying to promote Bikram Yoga. I do believe that it is not a practice for everyone. You have to do the research and find a Yoga that speaks to who are individually.
From an exercise physiology perspective, I have some major issues with some of their verbiage. Every time an instructor says "lock your knees," I cringe. Locking's one knees is an invitation to ongoing knees issues and hamstring issues. I think that what they really mean is to engage your quads and inner thighs but Bikram dialogue doesn't really explain that. Another major pet peeve is "go beyond your flexibility. Push. Push. Push." This is ridiculous as well as dangerous. In a 105 degree room, you will automatically be more flexible than you should be and should never, ever, go beyond your flexibility. If anything, especially for newer practitioners, a little conservatism is called for.
Those things aside, I find it to be a good practice for me. I have been practicing on and off since 2004 and have been an athlete most of my life, so doing 30 days of daily yoga is something that my body can handle. I also did The Challenge in '04 so this is my second time around as I mentioned in my Day 1 blog.. I do not recommend that anyone without the proper foundation and yoga base should attempt a 30 Day Challenge.
So back to what my friend asked me. "Why?" The why can be found in my daily blogs over the last 24 days in detail. But in a nutshell, I'm doing this as a way to connect to my inner self and spirituality. A way to deepen my own Yoga practice. A way to take care of myself and my body on a daily basis. After the Challenge is over, I will go to a practice of 3-4 classes a week.
My point really is this. This 30 Day Challenge is about me and nothing else. It is my hope that in my daily blog posts, you will find something that is useful to you. You don't need to do Yoga or anything daily. Hopefully, you will see the larger picture of what I'm doing. Connection to self and to whom we really are is paramount. Whatever avenue you choose to maintain that connection is up to you.
That wraps it upon Day 24 on the mat. Looking forward to Day 25!
Obviously, or maybe not so to you, I am not doing this Challenge as a physical thing. I teach classes 6 days a week. 25 classes a week to be exact. I'm a runner as well, although I have had to put that aside for the duration of this Challenge. I don't need or really want to do more "exercising". I am not trying to promote Bikram Yoga. I do believe that it is not a practice for everyone. You have to do the research and find a Yoga that speaks to who are individually.
From an exercise physiology perspective, I have some major issues with some of their verbiage. Every time an instructor says "lock your knees," I cringe. Locking's one knees is an invitation to ongoing knees issues and hamstring issues. I think that what they really mean is to engage your quads and inner thighs but Bikram dialogue doesn't really explain that. Another major pet peeve is "go beyond your flexibility. Push. Push. Push." This is ridiculous as well as dangerous. In a 105 degree room, you will automatically be more flexible than you should be and should never, ever, go beyond your flexibility. If anything, especially for newer practitioners, a little conservatism is called for.
Those things aside, I find it to be a good practice for me. I have been practicing on and off since 2004 and have been an athlete most of my life, so doing 30 days of daily yoga is something that my body can handle. I also did The Challenge in '04 so this is my second time around as I mentioned in my Day 1 blog.. I do not recommend that anyone without the proper foundation and yoga base should attempt a 30 Day Challenge.
So back to what my friend asked me. "Why?" The why can be found in my daily blogs over the last 24 days in detail. But in a nutshell, I'm doing this as a way to connect to my inner self and spirituality. A way to deepen my own Yoga practice. A way to take care of myself and my body on a daily basis. After the Challenge is over, I will go to a practice of 3-4 classes a week.
My point really is this. This 30 Day Challenge is about me and nothing else. It is my hope that in my daily blog posts, you will find something that is useful to you. You don't need to do Yoga or anything daily. Hopefully, you will see the larger picture of what I'm doing. Connection to self and to whom we really are is paramount. Whatever avenue you choose to maintain that connection is up to you.
That wraps it upon Day 24 on the mat. Looking forward to Day 25!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge--Day 23: Saturday, 12/10/11
Day 23 and not much to report. Another great class. Seems my body knows what to do. My mind is always more relaxed on my day off and so it was tonight. I'm also now in the final few days of The Challenge. One week to go. My hamstrings are a little tight. Doing Yoga everyday will do that to you. My back though is the most open it has been in years. Had an amazing dinner at Cafe Blossom after class. Their vegan chocolate cake is to die for. Final week...here I come!!!
Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge--Day 22: Friday, 12/9/11
One of my favorite things about Yoga is that it is such a community. You end up meeting the nicest people in a Yoga class. Whether it is at Jivamukti, Sonic Yoga or Bikram Yoga, the positive, infectious energy abounds.
Day 22 today and I have met some truly amazing people. I am drawn to their stories of how long they have been practicing yoga and how it has changed their lives. Our common bond of 90 minutes in a super hot room is literally and figuratively a melting pot. The conversations after class in the locker rooms are indeed priceless. It's one of my favorite parts of my new ritual.
This day comes and goes with ease. My enjoyment of the class, and the energy that surrounds me during class and after class. I soak it up and realize that it's always been there all along. It's always been there all along!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge--Day 21: Thursday, 12/8/11
I've been thinking about this all week. The concept of Yin Yang. Not so much the Western definition of Yin and Yang. But the traditional Taoist philosophy. One of the definitions I like of Yin Yang defines the principle as "complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole, as part of a dynamic system." For example, you cannot have the back of a hand without the front.
21 days in a Bikram Yoga room and I am struck by the complimentary opposite of Yoga practice. They say that everything has both Yin and Yang aspects. Light cannot exist without darkness. Pleasure cannot exist without pain. Enlightenment cannot exist without suffering. The more time I spend on the Yoga mat, I'm beginning to see that when I hit a "peak" in my practice that the natural order is for there to be the necessary "valley".
A few days in the valley though leads me to another peak tonight on Day 21. This day is made sweeter by the hours of sweat I have put in on the mat. I am learning so much about myself with each passing class that it's almost too much to articulate. It is a bit overwhelming.
Struggle does lead to progress and the progress feels awesome tonight. There is no better feeling in the world that knowing that you are aligned with who you really are. In the hot room on this particular night, it is as good as it gets. 21 days of highs and lows that produce this day of calmness and beauty. The real progress though is the recognition that the days this week when I was struggling were equally as beautiful. Because both Yin and Yang are equal. Understanding that makes it so much easier.
21 days in a Bikram Yoga room and I am struck by the complimentary opposite of Yoga practice. They say that everything has both Yin and Yang aspects. Light cannot exist without darkness. Pleasure cannot exist without pain. Enlightenment cannot exist without suffering. The more time I spend on the Yoga mat, I'm beginning to see that when I hit a "peak" in my practice that the natural order is for there to be the necessary "valley".
A few days in the valley though leads me to another peak tonight on Day 21. This day is made sweeter by the hours of sweat I have put in on the mat. I am learning so much about myself with each passing class that it's almost too much to articulate. It is a bit overwhelming.
Struggle does lead to progress and the progress feels awesome tonight. There is no better feeling in the world that knowing that you are aligned with who you really are. In the hot room on this particular night, it is as good as it gets. 21 days of highs and lows that produce this day of calmness and beauty. The real progress though is the recognition that the days this week when I was struggling were equally as beautiful. Because both Yin and Yang are equal. Understanding that makes it so much easier.
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