I DID IT!!! 10 straight days! Yesterday was my 10th day, and it did not come without it's humor.
The instructor (Stephanie) was fun, with her unplaced accent. I finally let out my first BIG fart! I was waiting for it. Just what is the etiquette for that? I just continued to do my pose, but it took me a minute to regain my focus...LOL!
I finished and I was in tears. I wasn't sure if I was going to do all 10 days, but I was thrilled that I saw it through.
And now? Well, I'm continuing this streak. I want to see just how long I can keep this up. I went to a 6 am class this morning (not sure how often I'll do that...still not a morning person). I think eventually, I'll probably go 4-5 days per week. I think that's a more doable and same practice for me to continue.
What I discovered through Bikram is that I can do anything I set my mind to (I've know this on some level, but it felt good for me to validate it through something physical). I'm not as hopeless at yoga as I had once thought...a surprising revelation! Moving forward post-cancer, it's nice to find something that feeds my mind, body and soul. Bikram has done just that, and I'm eager for further transformation of my body and mental state.
P.S. Did I mention that I lost 5 pounds? Crazy!!!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Day 9...a day late
As usual, I'm playing catch up...LOL!!!
Yesterday, I went to another afternoon class. Nancy was the instructor, and she was fantastic! What I liked about her is that she made a point of naming everyone in the class, and as the class progressed, she made corrections to individuals, but she remembered us by name ("Eric, lift your arms higher..." " Michelle, use your core..."). I was really impressed by that.
Day 9 at 4:30 in the afternoon brought about the realization that I could workout in the afternoon, and not hate the world afterwards... LOL! I usually like to start my day with the workout and go about my day. But I'm loosening my stance on that. Getting all of the crap from the day out during a Bikram class was quite nice. I walked out feeling a lot lighter than I did walking in. It's Ok for me two alternate between mornings and afternoons. Maybe I'll even delve into the evenings.
Well, it would seem that I am doing just that, as I am currently on my way to a 6:30 class...on Day 10!!!
Reflections on this 10-day journey will follow.
Yesterday, I went to another afternoon class. Nancy was the instructor, and she was fantastic! What I liked about her is that she made a point of naming everyone in the class, and as the class progressed, she made corrections to individuals, but she remembered us by name ("Eric, lift your arms higher..." " Michelle, use your core..."). I was really impressed by that.
Day 9 at 4:30 in the afternoon brought about the realization that I could workout in the afternoon, and not hate the world afterwards... LOL! I usually like to start my day with the workout and go about my day. But I'm loosening my stance on that. Getting all of the crap from the day out during a Bikram class was quite nice. I walked out feeling a lot lighter than I did walking in. It's Ok for me two alternate between mornings and afternoons. Maybe I'll even delve into the evenings.
Well, it would seem that I am doing just that, as I am currently on my way to a 6:30 class...on Day 10!!!
Reflections on this 10-day journey will follow.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Day 8
I was so tired yesterday, that I get to do a "two-fer!"
Day 8 was interesting in light of the headache from the day before. I need to really get a grasp on food timing. If I have a class that happens after 11, I was told to eat by 9. Two to three hours before class. So I'm doing that today for Day 9.
But yesterday brought about a little balance. I was able to do tree pose for both legs, which made me smile at myself in the mirror. It's funny, everyone in the class is so focused, and so am I. But I allow for a smile if I accomplish something, a smile if I do something crazy, or just a smile simply because I'm doing the class. And that all seems ok to me. I have to keep finding joy in this process as I progress, or else it doesn't feel good to me.
So I missed the morning classes today, and the next one isn't until 4:30. Another afternoon class...sigh. Well, I have to do it in order to finish the 10-day challenge. I've come to far to lose the streak at day 9.
More later...
Day 8 was interesting in light of the headache from the day before. I need to really get a grasp on food timing. If I have a class that happens after 11, I was told to eat by 9. Two to three hours before class. So I'm doing that today for Day 9.
But yesterday brought about a little balance. I was able to do tree pose for both legs, which made me smile at myself in the mirror. It's funny, everyone in the class is so focused, and so am I. But I allow for a smile if I accomplish something, a smile if I do something crazy, or just a smile simply because I'm doing the class. And that all seems ok to me. I have to keep finding joy in this process as I progress, or else it doesn't feel good to me.
So I missed the morning classes today, and the next one isn't until 4:30. Another afternoon class...sigh. Well, I have to do it in order to finish the 10-day challenge. I've come to far to lose the streak at day 9.
More later...
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Day 7
I made it 7 days! I can't believe I've done a week of Bikram. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it, but I've surprised myself everyday.
But I need to talk about something that I love a lot, but have been challenged by it this week: food. I've been nervous about eating before Bikram because I have a history of throwing up in weird places (the Robs know all about this!). I didn't want to tempt fate by eating beforehand. So I missed my morning class and waited for the next one at 2. This marked a departure for me, as I've only ever done morning classes. I had a protein bar and loads of water. I thought this would be adequate to get me through the class.
Well, I got through the class alright, but got a headache on the way home. Drinking water...drinking water...drinking water. I thought it was a hydration issue when I realized that the damn protein bar was all I'd had all day. I stopped and got some almonds and a banana. I was feeling better within 15 minutes.
My lesson today was that I need to make sure not to let my blood sugar get to low. I hated that headache and would - ideally - not like to repeat it.
Any tips on this one would be welcomed. This is not a "patience" or "time" issue. This is one of making sure I'm ok going into class, and ok coming out of class.
Because good gawd, that lethargic feeling was no joke.
But I need to talk about something that I love a lot, but have been challenged by it this week: food. I've been nervous about eating before Bikram because I have a history of throwing up in weird places (the Robs know all about this!). I didn't want to tempt fate by eating beforehand. So I missed my morning class and waited for the next one at 2. This marked a departure for me, as I've only ever done morning classes. I had a protein bar and loads of water. I thought this would be adequate to get me through the class.
Well, I got through the class alright, but got a headache on the way home. Drinking water...drinking water...drinking water. I thought it was a hydration issue when I realized that the damn protein bar was all I'd had all day. I stopped and got some almonds and a banana. I was feeling better within 15 minutes.
My lesson today was that I need to make sure not to let my blood sugar get to low. I hated that headache and would - ideally - not like to repeat it.
Any tips on this one would be welcomed. This is not a "patience" or "time" issue. This is one of making sure I'm ok going into class, and ok coming out of class.
Because good gawd, that lethargic feeling was no joke.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Day 6
Wow! I was so tired that I fell asleep earlier without having written anything today. Crazy tired, I guess it's a good thing. Sleep well earned! Good thing I woke up to go to the bathroom or Day 6 would have faded into nothingness...phew!
Day 6 was a bit of a challenge in that I felt like my mind was tired. It was hard for me to stay focused on the postures. But I did manage to do some things that I couldn't do when I started this 6 days ago, so I felt good about that.
The thing that I'm really coming to learn is that Bikram has been good at opening me up, and letting me see where I am now. I've been buried in health crap for a couple of years, and I feel myself breaking free of that protective armor. When I leave the studio, I usually feel as though I am better able to take on the world!
Add to that, my mornings have been so much better. I am NOT a morning person, and yet I look forward to waking up, putting on my yoga gear, and starting my day in that heated room. I've been in "10-day challenge" mode in my head, that I'm wondering if it's now habit. I'm surprised at how automatic it has felt this past week. My enthusiasm hasn't waned, though my frustration with myself seems the same. I really want to work past that, and get to a place where I can just go in, do what I can, and be satisfied with that.
Gee, have I actually started my practice?
Day 6 was a bit of a challenge in that I felt like my mind was tired. It was hard for me to stay focused on the postures. But I did manage to do some things that I couldn't do when I started this 6 days ago, so I felt good about that.
The thing that I'm really coming to learn is that Bikram has been good at opening me up, and letting me see where I am now. I've been buried in health crap for a couple of years, and I feel myself breaking free of that protective armor. When I leave the studio, I usually feel as though I am better able to take on the world!
Add to that, my mornings have been so much better. I am NOT a morning person, and yet I look forward to waking up, putting on my yoga gear, and starting my day in that heated room. I've been in "10-day challenge" mode in my head, that I'm wondering if it's now habit. I'm surprised at how automatic it has felt this past week. My enthusiasm hasn't waned, though my frustration with myself seems the same. I really want to work past that, and get to a place where I can just go in, do what I can, and be satisfied with that.
Gee, have I actually started my practice?
Friday, March 29, 2013
Day 5
I met a guy. His name is Shawn. He's 28, cute and VERY wise.
OK, before excitement takes over, he was my instructor this morning. I met him at the front desk and mentioned that I was almost halfway through the 10-day challenge, and he commended me. But something he said has really stuck with me: "focus on the postures, not the benefits."
Hmmm.
I started this because I thought I would get something out of it, physically. I've been pleasantly surprised by how I've become more aware mentally. Each day, I've had a chat in my head about how my back feels in boat pose, or how my hamstrings loosen themselves when I'm stretching my forehead to my knee. My focus has not been solely on the postures themselves.
My friend Lisa joined me this morning. After class, we had a chance to chat about our experience with Bikram. She reiterated the lesson from yesterday. Lifelong practices take time, and that we shouldn't strive for perfect. I feel like I'm steadily loosening my grip on perfect, but I have a long way to go...and that's OK. I think my practice includes that need to be excellent or perfect, staying present, and patience. BIG challenges with the "challenge," but at the same time, I welcome it!
Today's lesson: keeping my mind focused on the postures means that I'm present in that moment, and not thinking beyond.
OK, before excitement takes over, he was my instructor this morning. I met him at the front desk and mentioned that I was almost halfway through the 10-day challenge, and he commended me. But something he said has really stuck with me: "focus on the postures, not the benefits."
Hmmm.
I started this because I thought I would get something out of it, physically. I've been pleasantly surprised by how I've become more aware mentally. Each day, I've had a chat in my head about how my back feels in boat pose, or how my hamstrings loosen themselves when I'm stretching my forehead to my knee. My focus has not been solely on the postures themselves.
My friend Lisa joined me this morning. After class, we had a chance to chat about our experience with Bikram. She reiterated the lesson from yesterday. Lifelong practices take time, and that we shouldn't strive for perfect. I feel like I'm steadily loosening my grip on perfect, but I have a long way to go...and that's OK. I think my practice includes that need to be excellent or perfect, staying present, and patience. BIG challenges with the "challenge," but at the same time, I welcome it!
Today's lesson: keeping my mind focused on the postures means that I'm present in that moment, and not thinking beyond.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Day 4
Four straight days of Bikram yoga. FOUR!!! It seems crazy that I'm almost halfway through the 10-day challenge, but I am.
Today, Rob#2 asked how it was going, and I made a surprising admission. I told him that I had moments of frustration because I wasn't getting some of the postures as quickly as I wanted. What I heard next was like a bolt of lightning; "this is a lifelong practice you're building and it takes time. Don't try to be perfect."
Ah, reiterating yesterday's lesson.
The idea of doing Bikram doesn't mean that I have to be perfect from the beginning, but that I grow from the practice. So today I can only balance on one leg, but I will grow to eventually balance on my either my left or right leg. I will also learn that this is not meant to be competitive. As much as I love beating people in numerous instances, or beating my own scores, this is about maintaining focus and being ok with what I do in the moment. Keeping still and focused.
It all sounds easy, doesn't it? Believe me, it's a challenge.
Today's lesson: let go of the need for perfection and just be. Enjoy the moment and accept where I am now.
This lesson is definitely going to take some work.
Today, Rob#2 asked how it was going, and I made a surprising admission. I told him that I had moments of frustration because I wasn't getting some of the postures as quickly as I wanted. What I heard next was like a bolt of lightning; "this is a lifelong practice you're building and it takes time. Don't try to be perfect."
Ah, reiterating yesterday's lesson.
The idea of doing Bikram doesn't mean that I have to be perfect from the beginning, but that I grow from the practice. So today I can only balance on one leg, but I will grow to eventually balance on my either my left or right leg. I will also learn that this is not meant to be competitive. As much as I love beating people in numerous instances, or beating my own scores, this is about maintaining focus and being ok with what I do in the moment. Keeping still and focused.
It all sounds easy, doesn't it? Believe me, it's a challenge.
Today's lesson: let go of the need for perfection and just be. Enjoy the moment and accept where I am now.
This lesson is definitely going to take some work.
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