One Year Of Yoga

I am going to go to class today at noon, but I really don’t want to. I am in a funk and it is getting really hard to want to go to class. Hmmmm…I sure hope I can shake this. I am going to remain positive and believe that I will and feel motivated again. It might be that I need to change up the types of classes that I am going to. Maybe find a new type of yoga. I know my body feels so much better doing it. Maybe I should also get a progress Physical. It would be interesting if there have been any changes in blood, etc. A year is a long time to wait for results.

This was an advanced class and I really enjoyed it. It moved slowly but we worked deeper in the poses than usual. We did some exercises which really stretched the shoulders. We used a block between our forearms. My shoulders are pretty tight and I think that’s the reason my arm felt a little twinge of pain in Wheel pose. I would like to try to do this exercise regularly and see if that helps me prepare for wheel.

Cervical cancer can be remedied in ways alternative to conventional, damaging treatments. Instead of harsh treatments that can wreak havoc on the body, a combination of yoga, meditation, and a raw vegan diet can be a much more gentle and beneficial method for healing.

via Cure Cervical Cancer through Diet, Yoga and Meditation.

Today we had a substitute teacher and she really worked us hard. It was almost like she was mad that she had agreed to teach the class and she was taking it out on us. At the end of class when most teachers say “thank you for coming and allowing me to guide you through your practice”…. She just said “Namaste” and left. I think it was still a good class and she had us doing balancing poses against the wall. It was interesting and different. It’s always fun to try new things and new ways of doing things.

This was a good class. Very similar to other Ashtanga classes only we skipped the pose where you twist your foot, toes down, against your leg, and we did not do full headstand. I am finding I am very stiff in the mornings. Everything seemed harder this morning. My bones were popping like Rice Krispies.

Today’s class was 2 hours long. Very good balance of Vinyasa and some restorative poses at the end of class. A perfect way to start the New Year! I noticed my arm seems to be feeling better today which is good. I have been modifying some of my poses and not holding my arm up as high in warrior pose.

Snow Day

How beautiful the world is when it is covered with a white powder. What a mess the roads become! People are stuck in traffic. I could see cars stopped on the bridge. The yoga studio closed. Mother Nature’s way of forcing everyone to slow down and stay put.

This was a more advanced class. I really enjoyed it. The class moved slowly to really let us get in and out of the poses with strength. One thing I need to work on is not letting smells bother me in class. The student next to me was a guy who smelled like he just drank a pitcher of beer…not a good smell when you are seeking balance and inner peace. I’m from Portland, so of course I love beer, I just don’t want to smell it in yoga practice. Towards the end of class, he let out a big fart and then tried to move to the front of his mat to escape it. I moved to the front of my mat…to escape it also! In wind removing type poses it is natural that some people let out little farts. I think this guys was so big because of the beer. Beer makes you fart, so don’t drink a bunch right before class. It also impairs judgement, so one would be risking injury to do an advanced class right after imbibing. Friends don’t let friends drink and do yoga!

Great class! More advanced and felt good. I really like to be challenged in class. You always have to remember not to let your ego get in the way and just do to the best of YOUR ability, not your neighbors. I’m very mindful of this now that I’ve endured some minor injuries trying things I was not ready for.

Today’s class was very basic. It was OK. I went with my sweetie who has a sore ankle, so this was a good class for him. I hope to go to a more challenging class tomorrow.