I'm pleased to say I made it back yesterday after 3 days away. I renewed my monthly pass but I'm going to take today off. I'm feeling a little under the weather since I slept pretty poorly last night. Not sure why. Anyways, class was GREAT! It was difficult but everyone was well versed in the Bikram style so there was a collective energy carrying everyone. We were all trying our hardest and it was awesome! When there is a calm in the air, it's so much easier to go further and push harder without it feeling like "further and harder".
Today I've been up since the early hours and had a callback for a new role on a TV show up here. So I think my adrenaline was all used up, hence the need for a rest.
Tomorrow I am back. I have the whole day off with no stresses -- yet.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Venting
I'm none too pleased with my lack of yoga. I have missed yoga 3 days in row! I had a shoot today but conceivably I could have made it to a 9am class -- that would have been pushing it, mind you, since I wanted to go to an 11am mass. Yesterday was excusable as I had to work all day and then run to a fitting for said shoot. However, Friday night was just plain disappointing. I had the car that day because of an audition and I was happy because I could drive myself to yoga. When I got there, I had a PRIME spot right in front of the studio. But I had no way of paying the meter. I left my damn credit card in my other coat pocket. I drove around the block a few times and realized there were no available spots since I couldn't park in them until 7pm and it was only 6pm. I was angry and just kept driving.
I think there's a little part of me that's spiteful since one of my teachers asked me how my body was handling the yoga since I wasn't taking it as often. Me, being skeptical of people's motives, I automatically (and still) assume that she's being snarky about my infrequent attendance. She just didn't realize (and I forgot to say something at the time) that I was sick for an entire week and that's why she hadn't seen me. As my imagination would rather believe, I think she was giving me a jab. So, all in all, I think subconsciously I've stayed away just to show her her snarkiness hasn't affected me.
The reason I think she's snarky is because she's made comments in class that have made me feel uncomfortable. For instance, she pointed out in class the size and flabbiness of her post-childbearing belly. I could care less! I'm not there judging her and saying, "Ew! Gross! She's so ugly!" To go along with the comment about her belly, she makes me feel self-conscious by comparing our bodies by saying something along the lines of "You're stomach is so fit and mine's not." She also made a comment about me to a crowded class about how "Mary might have a really nice body but she needs to work at her flexibility." Is that a constructive comment or a really subtle way of jabbing at me? Needless to say, rather than making me feel good, it makes me feel awkward. I really could care less but I wish she would knock it off. Maybe it's her Hungarian blood that makes her so blunt. It's her own insecurities, bottom line.
Anyways, blee blee blah blah. Since no one reads this anyways, that's why I've written what might appear as egocentric comments. I actually hope no one reads it so they don't think that. ARGH. I DON'T CARE ANYMORE! This is a journal and I can write whatever's on my mind and even if people were reading this, they can make whatever comments they want. I can take it.
I think there's a little part of me that's spiteful since one of my teachers asked me how my body was handling the yoga since I wasn't taking it as often. Me, being skeptical of people's motives, I automatically (and still) assume that she's being snarky about my infrequent attendance. She just didn't realize (and I forgot to say something at the time) that I was sick for an entire week and that's why she hadn't seen me. As my imagination would rather believe, I think she was giving me a jab. So, all in all, I think subconsciously I've stayed away just to show her her snarkiness hasn't affected me.
The reason I think she's snarky is because she's made comments in class that have made me feel uncomfortable. For instance, she pointed out in class the size and flabbiness of her post-childbearing belly. I could care less! I'm not there judging her and saying, "Ew! Gross! She's so ugly!" To go along with the comment about her belly, she makes me feel self-conscious by comparing our bodies by saying something along the lines of "You're stomach is so fit and mine's not." She also made a comment about me to a crowded class about how "Mary might have a really nice body but she needs to work at her flexibility." Is that a constructive comment or a really subtle way of jabbing at me? Needless to say, rather than making me feel good, it makes me feel awkward. I really could care less but I wish she would knock it off. Maybe it's her Hungarian blood that makes her so blunt. It's her own insecurities, bottom line.
Anyways, blee blee blah blah. Since no one reads this anyways, that's why I've written what might appear as egocentric comments. I actually hope no one reads it so they don't think that. ARGH. I DON'T CARE ANYMORE! This is a journal and I can write whatever's on my mind and even if people were reading this, they can make whatever comments they want. I can take it.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Pain No More!
So, getting back to the question of whether or not Bikram poses are making a difference...they are. I've had a rest day today and will go back tomorrow but I'm not in the least bit hurting. My knees and IT band are fine. Is it the Bikram or the resting every few days? Maybe I'll never be sure if I continue to take Bikram classes. Right now, I'm enjoying the progress I'm making and I'm going to coast on that for a while.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Only Bikram?
This is a pre-class blogging. I don't have tons to say, I just felt like writing in my "journal". I should have gone to class at noon but of course, I slept until 10:30am and couldn't imagine not having my coffee until 1:30pm. 'Cause ya know, as a good yogi, you shouldn't drink coffee or eat until after class. Today I wanted my coffee much too much and decided to wait until the 5pm class.
My monthly pass is up on Friday. It's hard to believe I've already gone through two monthly passes. That means I'm actually doing my yoga on a regular basis. It's definitely a habit now. This past month I've been focusing on only doing the Bikram postures. There's a difference in my body compared to last month. Last month I was trying to not to discriminate between the two styles of classes offered at my studio so I went to both. I also was in the midst of doing a 30-day challenge and often times I found I had to go to "hot flow" class because that was the only class I could make it to. When I was going to both, my body was starting to feel pretty beat up. Remember? My hips were tight, my IT band was tight, I was just plain tight. When I wake up in the morning, I often sit up cross-legged and it was hurting a lot when I was in my 30-day challenge. Lately, it hasn't hurt. Since I've been only doing Bikram for a chunk of time now, my body hasn't reacted badly. My body actually feels loose yet strong. I would never have figured this out if I hadn't done both. The school of hard knocks worked in this case. Granted, I haven't been doing Bikram poses every day but by now I should feel a little tight in my knees having done yoga 2 days in a row and getting ready for a third. Anyways, I'll let ya know how class number 3 feels. Generally, if my body is in pain I won't be able to go into toe stand comfortably. That'll be my indicator.
My monthly pass is up on Friday. It's hard to believe I've already gone through two monthly passes. That means I'm actually doing my yoga on a regular basis. It's definitely a habit now. This past month I've been focusing on only doing the Bikram postures. There's a difference in my body compared to last month. Last month I was trying to not to discriminate between the two styles of classes offered at my studio so I went to both. I also was in the midst of doing a 30-day challenge and often times I found I had to go to "hot flow" class because that was the only class I could make it to. When I was going to both, my body was starting to feel pretty beat up. Remember? My hips were tight, my IT band was tight, I was just plain tight. When I wake up in the morning, I often sit up cross-legged and it was hurting a lot when I was in my 30-day challenge. Lately, it hasn't hurt. Since I've been only doing Bikram for a chunk of time now, my body hasn't reacted badly. My body actually feels loose yet strong. I would never have figured this out if I hadn't done both. The school of hard knocks worked in this case. Granted, I haven't been doing Bikram poses every day but by now I should feel a little tight in my knees having done yoga 2 days in a row and getting ready for a third. Anyways, I'll let ya know how class number 3 feels. Generally, if my body is in pain I won't be able to go into toe stand comfortably. That'll be my indicator.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Headache, Schmedache
Bikram/hot yoga is probably one of the most painful but most rewarding things to do when you have a headache. I literally was at migraine levels when I booted myself out of the house today and went to the studio. I wanted to vomit many times on my way there and when I was doing the pranayama breathing I was swallowing the bile down. I know, disgusting. However, I didn't push myself too hard and was rewarded with a clear head by the time I got in the shower. I found all of the backbends to be especially good for my head. To conquer one of my migraines is a huge deal for me. Usually it's the other way around and I'm found lying flat on my back in a dark room or praying to the porcelain god for relief. Today was a turning point for me. If I can just get myself to the studio, I know I'll be able to squeeze that headache right out. Now, I will follow all of this by saying that I did have one regular strength ibuprofen before I left the house. That may have helped a little bit but like I said, it was on the brink of full-blown migraine so I am pretty damn sure the yoga had the most to do with my recovery, 'cause ain't no way a little 200 IB would do the trick. So, in conclusion, to anyone who suffers headaches like I do, it's entirely possible to recover through hot yoga. Cue the Disney Aladdin music for "A Whole New World".
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Focus, Focus, Focus
I had a good morning class today. I was definitely a little wonky. My equilibrium was off especially on my left side of standing head to knee. I completely fell out of it but managed to get both legs straight on both sides despite this wonkiness. I'm never all that flexible in the morning so I couldn't actually bring my head to my knee. But the other day, I did! I'm still so excited about that. It was a pose I thought I'd never, ever be able to do. It was so satisfying.
Another interesting factor in today's class was that there were only 3 of us, 1 of whom was brand new. You can always tell based on the clothing. She was wearing long yoga pants and a loose tank top. Me, on the other hand, I basically wear a two-piece bathing suit. The less the better! Anyways, the interesting factor was that each of our energies were a little off kilter and I think we all contributed to the imbalance in the room. If there had been strong practitioners in the room, I probably would have benefited from their strong energy, whereas today, I was the strongest practitioner and the other two were sorta relying on me. I can definitely be weak in my mind when it comes to focus. It's a skill I want to acquire and am certainly working towards but I'm a long way off. I know it will help my acting, especially at auditions where it's easy to get psyched out. The focus in a yoga studio is such that in order to improve, you must stay on yourself and never stray. It helps no one, especially me. I guess sometimes I feel like maybe the person next to me thinks I'm competing and I get weirded out when I go all out. I hate competition so I'd rather look bad in a pose rather than go all out. But, I know, it's not about what others think. It's about attaining a strong practice and a strong focus.
Another interesting factor in today's class was that there were only 3 of us, 1 of whom was brand new. You can always tell based on the clothing. She was wearing long yoga pants and a loose tank top. Me, on the other hand, I basically wear a two-piece bathing suit. The less the better! Anyways, the interesting factor was that each of our energies were a little off kilter and I think we all contributed to the imbalance in the room. If there had been strong practitioners in the room, I probably would have benefited from their strong energy, whereas today, I was the strongest practitioner and the other two were sorta relying on me. I can definitely be weak in my mind when it comes to focus. It's a skill I want to acquire and am certainly working towards but I'm a long way off. I know it will help my acting, especially at auditions where it's easy to get psyched out. The focus in a yoga studio is such that in order to improve, you must stay on yourself and never stray. It helps no one, especially me. I guess sometimes I feel like maybe the person next to me thinks I'm competing and I get weirded out when I go all out. I hate competition so I'd rather look bad in a pose rather than go all out. But, I know, it's not about what others think. It's about attaining a strong practice and a strong focus.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Bum Dee Bum
Alright, I'm a bum. I slept in today. I went to class last night. It was a good, strong class but I definitely had the sniffles. So, my justification for today's sleeping was yesterday's sniffles. I'm drinking my coffee at 12:56pm as I write this. I hope to make it to class tomorrow morning but I am going to Hamilton for one of my husband's shows tonight. Not that I'm going to tear it up or anything but he got home close to 2am last night because of said show so I'm assuming it's going to be another late night. I'm terrible at waking up. I LOVE sleeping. I think it may even be an addiction. I'm a champion sleeper. Today I slept until noon and I seriously could have kept sleeping.
Anyways, on a positive note, I am noticing that my body reacts very kindly to rest. When I come to class after a day or two off, I'm flexible and strong and my hips aren't as tight as they would be if I went every day, like in the challenge. I'm not saying I should be a slacker all the time but I certainly do better with rest days inserted; sometimes just one day, other times, two days off. The goal is to enjoy it and get better at it, right? Well, if I'm not wasting my money, then I think I'm doing it right.
On a completely different note, I think I have discovered (I say that like I'm Christopher Columbus) a really good skin product. Dr. Hauschka is a German skin company and all their ingredients are grown on their own farms and the products/ingredients are developed in their labs. All natural and really good for your skin. My skin seems pretty damn happy. I bought the samples and they feel great and fresh on my sensitive, blemish-y skin. I won't know until I get closer to finishing the products whether or not they actually clear my skin up and make it feel confident :) So far, so good, though.
Anyways, on a positive note, I am noticing that my body reacts very kindly to rest. When I come to class after a day or two off, I'm flexible and strong and my hips aren't as tight as they would be if I went every day, like in the challenge. I'm not saying I should be a slacker all the time but I certainly do better with rest days inserted; sometimes just one day, other times, two days off. The goal is to enjoy it and get better at it, right? Well, if I'm not wasting my money, then I think I'm doing it right.
On a completely different note, I think I have discovered (I say that like I'm Christopher Columbus) a really good skin product. Dr. Hauschka is a German skin company and all their ingredients are grown on their own farms and the products/ingredients are developed in their labs. All natural and really good for your skin. My skin seems pretty damn happy. I bought the samples and they feel great and fresh on my sensitive, blemish-y skin. I won't know until I get closer to finishing the products whether or not they actually clear my skin up and make it feel confident :) So far, so good, though.
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