not bikram

So, my two-month membership ended like two Sundays ago. So, I haven't been to a bikram class in that long. And, well, honestly I haven't worked out since then either - so unlike me. I've been making excuses, work, cold weather, stuffy sinuses make me drowsy... blah blah blah. I don't like when I allow myself to make excuses from working out. I feel very strongly about being active in some way at least 4 times a week. Aside from the fact that I feel physically better, I also tend to feel less sickly when active and more happy. I can tell you that it is a universal side effect of working out too - my parents recently started going on 2 mile walks every evening. They live on the other side of the country and so I only see them 3 or 4 times a year. The difference between how they look and feel now versus last time I saw them is HUGE. They have both lost over 30 pounds and they just seem sincerely happier. If you read this and you're feeling like you don't want to go for that run or that walk or to yoga - know this - the hardest part is putting on your shoes. 

I'm getting long-winded here. I'm sorry. Anyway, after two weeks of making excuses I finally got myself out of bed and went to a yoga class this morning. It wasn't Bikram, but it's ok. I got a new yoga mat for the holidays and I was itching to use it! The studio that is in my neighborhood does donation-based classes every morning - this is awesome for someone like me, who is feeling the burn of holiday shopping, continuing education courses, bar exam tutoring and a social life. (on that note, I also noticed that a Bikram studio in the city also has a donation-based class once a week, which makes me pretty excited). So, here's what I've decided. I don't like vinyasa yoga as much as I like Bikram. I know, I know, I said in my last entry that I wanted to learn inversions and other forms of yoga, so I will keep up with it, but I just don't like it as much. I feel sore already. 

It's a very different work out. Oddly, it's more physical and less mental. I feel like with Bikram because it is the same postures every class, you are obviously doing great things for your body, but getting through the class becomes a mental challenge as your body instinctively knows what to do. This class was hard for me. I was confused. People were going into crow before they went into their vinyasa flows (show offs)... and at one point the teacher complimented another person's headstand - it must have happened behind me because I didn't see it - but I am not exactly sure when the class attempted head stands... we didn't. It's just not very disciplined and that is weird for the Bikram student in me. I'll give it more chances. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a legit work out covering strength and stretching if not cardio. 

I'll keep you guys posted. Also, if you know of any studios with donation-based classes, please share! I would love the tips as I am sure some of the followers would too. 

Reflecting

I think one of the most important things I learned over my challenge was to prioritize my life. I made time to eat well, sleep well, and work smart. I made time for myself and made sure to still enjoy time with friends. Making time for yoga became a bit of a chore, but when I didn't go, I missed it.

My 2 month membership is over now. I feel kind of empty without it, but there are other things I must devote my time to, at least through March. I will probably reward myself with a challenge in the month of March. In the meantime I think I will go to occasional regular yoga class. I'm really interested in learning inversions and building the upper body strength necessary to do them.

I guess, the long and the short of it, is that just because I'm done with my yoga challenge, I hope to keep going back on these blogs and remembering the lessons I've learned. Remember the accomplishments and use them constantly.

Setting the Tone for the Day

Yesterday, I woke up at 5:15, brushed my teeth, looked at myself in the mirror and thought... I don't want to go this morning. Then in a further attempt to justify missing the morning class, I told myself that since dodgeball (yes, I play dodgeball - you didn't know this about me?) is so late, I'd have too much time between work and play. So, I'd go to yoga after work. Perfect. Decision made and justified.

Anyway, I went back to sleep and woke up in time for work. I got to the train with time to spare, things are lookin good. And, wouldn't you know it, there was a sick passenger on the train in front of mine. We were stuck in the tunnel, but not for too long. I was early/on time. No problemo.

After work I headed downtown to get to class. I usually leave work at 5:45 for a 6:30 class, and this leaves me way more than enough time to get dressed and find a primo spot. At the transfer to the L train (oooo, damn you L train), due to an "earlier incident, trains were running slowly." Well, the trains weren't actually running slowly, they were running like shit. Each one was literally filled to the brim. People were packed in so tightly that it didn't matter if you held onto something or not, you couldn't move/fall down if you tried. I had to let 3 trains pass just before I was close enough to the front of the masses to be pushed onto the train - you know, instead of boarding it like a human being....

I rushed to the studio from the train, only to find a locked door with a full class of people enjoying pranyama breathing. well, ok, so yoga wasn't meant to be a part of my day yesterday.

I did however play my best game ever at dodgeball! It was epic. I caught the ball twice and I popped the ball up once for another one of my teammates to catch it. Our team went 3 and 1 and we felt good about it.

So, I went to yoga this morning. And that has set the tone for this day.

Am I dreaming?

Saturday's yoga class was unlike any other I've ever had. I came out of feeling as though I had slept through the whole class. I didn't, of course. In fact, I did more of the poses this time than I did in my last class before my vacation. In spite of the fact that I hadn't been to class in over a week, I was remarkably flexible and was reaching my toes like it aint no thang.

I came out of the class feeling as though I had just taken the most restorative nap ever. And, in spite of having a couple of beers with friends after class, I was wide awake when I got home.

looking forward to class tonight. Going to go drink up some coffee now though, the dream-state class was interesting, but I much prefer the feeling of being completely aware.

Vacation

I miss yoga. Like, in my bones kind of miss it. When I was in the thick of the challenge, I had periods and thoughts of frustration. Like I needed to be out of this commitment, but now that I am, I want back in. I've been back twice since the challenge was over, but then I went on vacation to the Bahamas. For what it's worth, this was the first time in my life I felt no doubts about going around in a bikini. Whether it is that I am actually thinner or that going half naked in a class 30 days in a row has given me a distorted sense of confidence I can't be sure. Either way, I'll take it.

I plan to go Friday morning and then again a couple times this weekend, to really maximize my time in the studio before I head back to California for Thanksgiving. I may even check out a Cali studio, I'm sure someone I know will want to get in on that with me the day after Thanksgiving (rumor has it, the studio smells something ripe the day after Thanksgiving).

Mission: Completed

I am not planning on going to yoga this weekend. I had a great class yesterday and I want to stop there. I also feel like even though it is only today and tomorrow left in the challenge, I don't need it anymore.

The stickers on the board are gone. The ones that were up for the studio's 30-day challenge. It's weird, but they've been gone since Wednesday and it made kind of a big deal to me. I liked having that moment at the end of class to see my progress and everyone else's.

I plan on blogging more and maybe coming to some sort of realization about how it is that things have changed. I've been giving hints over the course of these posts. But, I really am in a much better place today than I was 30 days ago.

I have a renewed confidence in myself and my abilities. I still may be going to class this afternoon. I haven't totally decided yet. I really need to go food shopping and I really want to get a manicure. So, I may do these things instead, and since this is my weekend. I think that would be a better way to spend my time.

Going Strong

Hey, Yo, How's it goin? Oh, me? Well, I'm good, great, fantastic actually. I realized today is Thursday on my walk to work and that I am nearly complete with my challenge. My last post was a couple of days ago, and I'm sorry I've been so distant. It's nothing personal, I assure you. I've just been distracted, you know how it is, reading Breaking Dawn, going to dodgeball, and fitting yoga/food/sleep/shower/work into a daily routine it's a lot to do. Anyway, I've had three good classes this week and where I was so concerned on Sunday that I had so many more days left in this challenge, I'm personally shocked at how close to done I am now.

I will definitely be celebrating the end of the challenge by not going for a couple days in a row. But, I am also kind of sad that this month is coming to an end. I set out to learn about myself and my needs and I think I have done that. I've become stronger physically but I also think I've become more adept in other aspects of my life. I've taken my health by the reigns and set up doctors and dentist appointments. I've planned my trip to the Bahamas. Yeah, I'm excited for that. I set myself up to take the pesky CA bar exam my family has been begging me to do for 3 years. I also finally took my laundry in this morning.

My perspective has changed for the better.  I hope to maintain a positive approach and apply all of these small lessons I've learned throughout this challenge into my life for the rest of this year and into the new year.