What day is it???

Just kidding. Yesterday was day 7 and it was the hardest day so far. I signed up for a new running group which started last night. I intended to go to 6am yoga but that didn't happen so I had to go to class at my old studio after I ran. It was brutal. My calf cramped, my mat was sliding around (they took the carpet out) and I was just hating life. And today at work I've been grumpy... but it's almost the weekend and overall I'm really liking the yoga!

Day 4

Most crowded class ever but really good. My mind felt calm. I wasn't fighting being in the room - I was just going with the flow.

Day 2 and Day 3

Class Friday night was a bit tough because I was choosing to be in the yoga room rather than out with friends. Saturday morning I was up at the crack of dawn (or actually before that) so I could eat before 8am yoga. Class was tough - I never feel bendy at morning classes but overall, I'm happy that I've committed to this yoga challenge! 10% done!!!

Day 1

Yesterday was Day 1 of my new 30 day challenge. It was really hot but really good! My studio has a 30 day challenge poster where we track our classes with stickers. Good times!
In other news, my practice has drastically improved over the past two months or so. I lost 10 pounds and now that I'm rocking less t&a, I'm way more bendy. I went all the way back in fixed firm last night - something I thought would never happen!

Happy 2012!

I've been practicing a few times a week-ish but just haven't had much to say about the yoga. Where are all of my pithy observations? I just don't know. I'm doing Weight Watchers at the moment and once I lose 10 pounds I'm going to wear the new shorter shorts I bought from the Lululemon 'we made too much' section. Other than that, not much yoga-related stuff happening around here.

Bikram break...

I feel like Bikram yoga and I were on a break for the past 2-3 weeks, but now I want to recommit. The weather has turned chilly here in Seattle so the hot room feels so nice these days.
In other news, I think I might be the only tattoo-free person at ye olde yoga studio. My 'costume' would look so much better with a strategically placed tattoo methinks. My birthday is in January so maybe it's time for a tattoo...

cold yoga

Did a vinyasa class yesterday. It was interesting. It was also the longest 75 minutes of my life. I have some weird aches and pains today, but overall my body handled all of the down dogs fairly well. However the room the class was held in (a room at the gym I've joined for the next two months) didn't have a clock. The class just sort of ebbed and flowed - I couldn't detect any real pattern to it. There was a point where I thought it would never end... and finally it did. Tonight I did a spin/strength class. I was in pain by the end. I miss my Bikram!

I'm an a**hole (but not really)

Practiced with my mom last Sunday. It was a great class - hot but not too hot, crowded but not too crowded, challenging but not too challenging. Then I practiced again on Monday. It felt off because the room wasn't hot enough. I felt like a real Bikram yogini the first time I thought the room wasn't hot enough :) But really there is a point where the lack of heat makes it hard to bend and the whole thing just feels wrong. So Tuesday I walk to class and think, "I hope it's hot enough in class tonight!" AND I WAS NEARLY KILLED BY THE HEAT! And I cursed myself during class because of course I blamed myself for the excessive heat. The heat was so excessive that when the instructor realized the heat was excessive, she opened the door AND IT DIDN'T HELP! She turned the fans on - IT DIDN'T HELP. She opened the doors again - IT DIDN'T HELP. The room was possessed. And it was my fault! (not really)
Anyway, that was a horrible class and I haven't practiced since. Sometimes a girl just needs some friend time and couch time and treadmill time!

yogups and yogdowns...

Can I tell you a secret? I haven't been on my mat much at all. I practiced today and yesterday but I'm not sure when I practiced before that. It may have been last month. I did go out of town twice. But that's not a great excuse.
Class last night was so incredibly hot. It challenged my body and my mind. Just when I was at the point where I had completely had it with class, my teacher bent down and said, "Would you like me to stand on your feet?" Of course I said yes because when someone offers to stand on your sweaty feet, you can't say no. And it felt amazing and it was just nice and kind and all of those good things that I don't have enough of in my life right now.
Class tonight was fine. When I walked in, one of the instructors called out, "Hey (nickname based on my last name)" which again was a bit of random kindness that I really appreciated. I do have friends who call me that, but sometimes the yoga studio gets a bit earnest so it was nice to have that friendly welcome.
I've done some soul searching and a bit of a life inventory and quite frankly, I'm not satisfied. I first did Bikram yoga almost 4 years ago after a life change event and I've been struggling through some of the same crap since then. I DON'T WANT TO KEEP DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES. It's time for self-help and this time it's coming in the form of a book called Happy Yoga: 7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry About. I think this is a fairly profound book especially considering the kind of silly title. I'm only part way through but so far it's part buddhism, part new age and part common sense. In the chapter on love, it talks about putting love out there to people who you don't know... so I feel the need to give a little shoutout to my internet yoga family. : hugs yogis and yoginis : Wishing you loads of yoga and non-yoga happiness this week!

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Didn't make it to my mat today. Could only make it as far as the workout room in my building for 3 miles on the treadmill. Everything is fine and yet everything is not fine. It seems to have officially turned to fall here in Seattle and it's hitting me hard. In my new-ish neighborhood/life, I drive way less which means that the change in weather impacts me more. Had to wear rain boots on my walk to work this morning, it was dark soon after I got home this evening. There are many fine things to do inside in the evenings like yoga for example and crafting and drinking wine and curling up with a good book, but I'm not ready to say goodbye to summer and sunshine. I don't want another season to pass.
I should have made it to my mat today. Oh well - it will still be there for me tomorrow.