27....easy breezey

I know I haven't written about the yoga challenge in a few days (five to be exact), but I've been a little overwhelmed. I turned a major corner a few days ago, in class 24. I was going to devote a separate entry to the experience, but I was so pooped I couldn't muster it.

Class 24 was taught by an amazingly tough woman named Tomo. She is the wife of one of the owners of the studio where I have been practicing. She called me out about 4 times, including one that was followed with "There's a difference between taking it easy and being lazy. No one is going to be lazy today." So I sucked it up, I did every posture and I was gasping, shaking, and a little light headed at the end. I went home, slept like a brick going to bed around 9:00 pm. The next day I was sore but I went back to class and it was all there. Every posture, every attention to detail, everything. And my knees didn't hurt.

Each class since then has been excellent. I'm eager to finish my 30 days, take a few days rest, and then go to a regular practice of 5 classes per week. I might not blog for the next couple of days, but I will be sure to do a final recap.

PS: Somewhere along the way I have managed to develop thighs of steel! (Or at least aluminum)

22...pain

The other day, I was talking to my roommate about all this yoga business and I said, "You get to a point where you're uncomfortable, maybe light headed, or sick to your stomach, or in some pain. It doesn't feel good, but you know it's not dangerous, you're not in danger, so you just go with it."

Well, I am certainly feeling uncomfortable today. My legs hurt, my knees are stiff, and all I want is to take a day off. But I know if I do, I need to do a double between now and next Monday. I have 8 days left in this challenge and I'm going to do them. Even if I all I do is go to the room and lie down form 90 minutes. I will finish these 30 days!

21 not so easy

So...I'm not entirely sure why, but today's session was really difficult. I had a late night last night. I was at a Shabbat potluck with friends and we we laughing and telling stories rather late. I didn't get out of there until around 11:30. I got to sleep around midnight (my typical bed time is between 9:30 and 10). I also had some really potent sangria, and beer on Thursday. I think drinking alcohol is simply not an option while I'm doing this challenge. I was dehydrated, ate too much breakfast, really tired, the room was super hot, and Mr. Grunty Yoga Drama was right behind me huffing and puffing like crazy. It was not a great day, and I sat out of a lot of the time. I feel like on day 21, not being 100% is not that big of a deal. The important part is that I was there the whole time. It was my 12th class in a row and I think it's catching up to me. I'm not quitting, but I am realizing that this is a little tougher on this side of the challenge than I thought.

Onward ho!

Day 20!

I've made it two thirds of the way! The 20th class was challenging. I was feeling pretty good and strong, but my companion in the class was not feeling so great. I felt bad that she needed to leave and I was a bit distracted for the rest of the class. She's gonna give it another go, though, and I'm very glad for that.

Other than that, there isn't too much to share about the actual class. I was feeling great, had a lot of focus and determination. It's a good thing that the classes are becoming somewhat unremarkable. I think it means that I'm getting used to class and it has become habitual. I have noticed that my muscles are much more sore this week. I found taking my vitamins helps a lot.

I think I might have lost some weight, or at least some inches. I'm not going to check my weight until I'm done with the 30 days. Weighing myself makes me pretty crazy.

Day 18

Ok, I just got to say, day 18? I never thought I would get this far. I know I have a lot further to go, but it's kinda amazing what you can do when you make a plan and stick to it. It hasn't been easy to make time for yoga and I've had to forgo some really wonderful social engagements because of it. But I am so proud for setting this goal and working to reach it.

I really think I heard the perfect gears slide into place today. From the very first breathing exercise my lower body felt solid, concrete, immovable. I felt grounded and focused. Anther friend joined me for her first class, and although it was tough she said she really enjoyed it. I have to say she looked great for her first Bikram class! It's not easy to stay in that room for 90 minutes. It was so hot today I actually took off my shirt for the first time ever, in class. No worries, I was wearing a sports bra. When you get so hot you'd take off your skin to get a little relief, taking off your sweaty, soggy shirt and letting your belly hang out doesn't seem like too big of a deal.

I'm heading to day 20 pretty soon and then it's the home stretch. I've got to keep my head in the game, not getting complacent now. But I really feel like I will reach my goal in the challenge.

My nephew is awesome!

Sweet 16

Ah, today's yoga class was so lovely. All the big school in Mass are on Spring Break and my 8:00am class was practically empty. I think there were only about 10 students. It was calm and not blazing hot and just wonderful. I felt like I was floating after class and I didn't sit out any postures this time. Ah....sigh.

Day 15/ Half way there

I am half way to my goal of 30 classes in 30 days. Today was hard and hot. I suddenly can't seem to figure out how to feed myself effectively. I don't think I ate enough at lunch and then I was really hungry during class. This morphed into feeling really sick to my stomach throughout the second half of the floor series.

I'm glad I've made it this far. It hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been impossible either. I know I can do 15 days, now I just need to do 15 more.

day 14/locust break through

I have had a remarkably productive day today. i spent about 6 hours working on school work, took a 2 hour nap, went to yoga, and then to a friend's house for havdalah. The yoga was really tough starting, especially since my stomach and intestines had been talking to me all day, and not saying the nicest things. i warned my teacher I may need to leave class for the loo and she was all cool with that. T this was a new teacher I hadn't been to before and she was great. i had a brief break through in half locust post and actually got my feet a good 10 inches off the ground. This is a pretty major breakthrough since the first class i went to back at yoga about 2 and a half weeks ago i good not lift my legs at all. Locust has always been a major challenge and it felt good to have a good day.
(apologies for all the lower case "i"s. my shift key is a little sticky.)

Lucky Number 13

Uhg...lull. I went to class. I'm feeling unmotivated. I'm almost halfway through the challenge and I'm kinda bored. I wore my contacts to class, which means I got the clear, sharp, stark view of myself in all my sweaty glory. When I do the yoga without my glasses everything has a nice soft edge to it. I can believed that I am thinner than I am, have clearer skin than I do, and generally look more calm and peaceful. I had the realization that I am fatter than I thought I was. This is not self defeating talk or poor body image, but a simple statement of fact. This is something that can be resolved and I intend to do that.

I want to get to a health weight before my 30th birthday. I have about a year and a half to do this. I guess I should stop eating ham and cheese croissants for breakfast.