It’s the final countdown! Only 5 more classes for the challenge and another great practice today. What I’m most excited about? Only 3 more early classes. I really love my Saturday/Sunday break with the 10am classes. But I’m on a roll, so it’s not that big of a deal finishing up the early ones. Today was a pretty packed class actually. I’m sure Friday will be light again. I think I’ve decided that for my last class, and because it will be on Monday (a lighter day typically), I’m heading to the front! The front is usually reserved for the pros, but I really want to give it a try and see how much better I can focus with being able to look straight into my eyes. Straight into my soul! haha It will be cool if it really helps me balance better.
Bit of an issue with Half Tortoise Pose today. I’ve really been trying to use my core as much as possible and get my head on the mat before my hands, but I just couldn’t come close today. Hands first, and super fast. Doh! I think I just felt tired or something. I still got a great stretch once I was down there, but getting down and up is still a struggle.
I had a great Half Moon Pose today. I think I’m able to get a bit deeper each week. I also think I’m doing a better job of pushing my hips to the opposite wall and putting more of my weight backwards to really help open up. It’s still a rough one for 1st thing in the morning, but by the second set, it’s amazingly better. It’s a hard one to start with, but it’s a good one to start with because it really gets the blood flowing to start the class. I’m also getting further back with my backbend which is exciting, but painful at the same time. I just have the hardest time breathing while going back, so that’s what I have to put most of my focus into.
I’m also making good progress with Spine Twisting Pose. I’m able to turn completely around now and look almost to the opposite wall. Each day I pick a point further and further to take my twist a bit deeper. I never really take my back arm around to grab my inner thigh because my arm just literally won’t reach. Again, the short arm problem. I think from now on I’ll at least wrap it around my waist the best I can, but it just doesn’t come close to touching my thigh at all. Oh well, limitations I just have to deal with. But at least I’m getting a great twist in the spine and feels really good.
I’m glad these days are all good ones this week. It’s a great ending to this challenge. I hope they continue! It sort of feels like an overall breakthrough because of all the high energy I’m feeling. This is also making me a little scared to stop, no matter how excited I am to sleep in! I hope that with going 2-3 times a week I’ll still be able to see progress, I’m sure it will just be slower. But I think for my sanity, it will be great. Also, I’m really missing lifting weights. Even though I know I’m definitely gaining strength with my practice, it’s not the same as lifting weights and focusing on building some real muscle. I feel like muscle is the missing piece to really help me on my weight loss goals because the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn throughout the day. Plus, I just like muscles. (no, not body builder type muscles) They shape you and I think they are sexy. I think a main piece missing from Bikram is arm strength. There are a couple poses that really help your shoulders, and you’re always locking your arms, but that’s not the same as being able to hold your own body weight, or lift your own body weight with your arms. That will be a big focus for me after this. Good ‘ol push ups and pull ups!
Yoga pet peeve – Overall I don’t think people smell too badly in Bikram. Or…we all smell just enough all at the same time that we all get used to each other. Every now and then I smell a guy’s BO, but really not too often. But today was a different story. There was a new girl right next to me in class and her stench was completely overwhelming and overpowering. Luckily she sat out for over 1/2 the poses due to being new, but when she lifted her arms I swear I just wanted to pass out. It was horrible!!! Please people, be aware of yourself and please be clean and wear deodorant. No matter what ethnicity you are and if that group typically doesn’t wear it, you know you are going to be in a 105 degree room full of sweaty bodies. Please please please be considerate of the people around you. We are all working our asses off and the deep breaths we need to take to get through to practice are extremely important.
