Only 9 days left of the challenge and it’s going really well! Dare I say it?! I’m actually enjoying myself and look forward to yoga most days. I never actually thought I’d say that, but I mean it. I also really look forward to the heat, and today was no different especially having to walk there in the snow. I’ve been lucky as far as doing this challenge in January and not having to deal with much in the weather department. A couple days of rain, a couple days of temps in the teens and one snowy day. And at least it was a 10:00am class too. I didn’t mind the snow at all. It was pretty coming down and it always makes the city a bit more quiet. I’m still looking forward to a nice big blizzard this winter, let’s just hope it’s day 10 or beyond.
I had the owner, Tricia, as my instructor today. I took my first class with her and haven’t been able to take one of her classes since. The snow kept a lot of people away for a Saturday class, but people that showed up got a great practice. The humidity was definitely up today compared to other days, and I loved it. Tricia really pushes everyone in the class and also pushes each pose to the maximum. She does a great job of really focusing on each and every person in there, even in such a big class. It’s always nice to get corrections as well as a couple “beautiful” comments as you go through the practice. Overall it was just a great class and I feel fantastic.
Not too much negative to report today, which is nice. Just a couple of observations. For Sit-Up, I’m definitely noticing the difference after ones that I do right after a lot of stomach/spine work (1st series on the floor) and the ones after any poses bending forward. After bending backwards so much, I definitely have a lot harder time bending all the way forward at the top of the Sit-Up. After forward bending poses, it’s really amazing how much my hamstrings are loose and how I can just fold forward with no problems. It’s a great energizing pose though either way.
Another thing I’ve noticed is the benefits of quickly getting into Corpse Pose after each pose, and how it really makes a difference. I think you tend to want to get out of the pose and take your time to flip over and lie down, but I’ve found the more efficiently you really get into it, that extra breath you’re able to take and let your body really sink into the floor, makes a big difference. I think I have the hardest time after Flexed Firm Pose, but I’m working on flipping around as fast as I can on all of the poses to really reap the benefits.
I think I had a breakthrough in Camel Pose today. I’m not sure why this hasn’t happened before, but this time as I put my palms to my heels and really leaned back, it was really easy to push the front of my legs/hips forward and I felt a cool little arch in my lower spine that just felt really natural. This also allowed me to lean my head further back and look straight down to the towel instead of the back of the room. Apparently you should one day be able to see your toes…I’m still looking, but I felt closer!
And opposite to Camel Pose, was Rabbit Pose. I usually don’t like this one, because it hurts the top of my head and I don’t think I’m doing it right, but recently I think I’m starting to “get” it. Today felt really good and I really felt that full stretch across my total spine that the instructors keep talking about. I can’t quite get the 90 degree angle of my legs (mainly because I think my arms are just too short!) but I think feeling the stretch was a good sign that maybe one day I’ll get there.
It’s been a nice change to really be enjoying myself more during classes. I’ve actually even noticed that I’m almost giddy after a pose here and there when I can feel improvements, changes and definitely when I hold balancing poses longer. I still have the same few poses that constantly stump my body, but I’m learning to live with the little changes and love the things that keep me from fully getting them (big thighs, big calves, belly, short arms, etc.). All of these things that stump me are still strong and getting stronger each day. I feel it. I notice. Doing a practice like this every day definitely puts you in tune with your body and I think it makes it easy to really appreciate the little things.
