Success!! -30

Holy crap....I did it.

And I am beyond proud of myself. Couldn't help but smile at the end of class last night and may have had a tear of happy pride roll down my cheek before I finished my final savasana. Class was sweaty but full of determination for all those involved and that just made it so much better. Because of the posture seminar that the studio hosted on Sunday, all the instructors have been changing some things around and I am soreee today. It's not that things are super different but the little tweaks definitely had different muscle fibers firing. Love it.

Amy gave me a huge congrats and a hug after class and asked how I felt. Honestly? Awesome is the one word to come to mind. I feel different....stronger, more flexible, more determined...and content. I've had a few questions as to why I did the challenge...."weight loss, get in shape, etc"...None of those to be honest. Not in this to lose weight, everyone can get healthier and be in better shape, but I did the challenge solely to see if I could actually do it. TADA I can ;) Do I feel healthier/better/fitter? For sure...you can't do this kind of yoga and not feel that way, but Bikram is all about determination and I had been feeling like I lacked determination for a lot of things in life. This challenge showed me that I do have it, regardless of how I'm feeling about a situation.

At the studio when you complete the challenge you get 1 free week of yoga, 10% off the next package purchased, and 5 free buddy passes (any friends want to join let me know!) I've decided to take today off so I can go to the grocery store/clean my apartment/do normal people things then I'll get back in it tomorrow.

Honestly just so proud of what I accomplished since I've been talking about doing this challenge for years. Done. Checked off the bucket list. And I couldn't be happier :)


Namaste you crazies and thank you for all of your supportive words throughout this process!

YES. YES. YES. -29

Dude. Yes. Just....YES.

Last night was the best class of Bikram I've ever had....like ever. I don't know if it was the packed room or the extra sweaty temperature or just knowing that I've almost accomplished my goal. But I felt strong and determined and flexible and muscular and bad ass and I loved every second of it. Nailed the postures that usually give me so much difficulty and it was like I didn't have a care in the world other than staying in, keeping my leg locked out, and kicking ass.

Part of me wishes last night was class #30 solely because it was beyond awesome but I'm keeping positive thoughts that tonight will be just as solid.

So proud of how far I've come and the differences I can feel and see. Tonight will be fun ;)


Namaste!

38 Hours. Lots of Yoga. -25, 26, 27, & 28

4 classes in 38 hours. Me so sleeeeepy.

Rewind back to Friday night please. UH-mazing class. Lots of people, great energy flow, and extra juicy. One of those classes where I really felt like I left it all on the mat. Thankful that I gave myself that hour and half of my day to let go of everything else going on in life and just enjoy listening to my breath and feel my muscles do their thing. Amazing.

Saturday morning, however, I think I forgot to pick up everything I "left on the mat" Friday night because that was awful. Worst class of my life. I'm going to chalk this up to dehydration. I didn't really drink much Friday night after class and didn't wake up early enough in the morning to hydrate some more. Probably the first class I felt lightheaded and dizzy and wanted to sit on my mat. Awfulllllllll.

Chugged a lot of coconut water and maybe a little wine at a vineyard before the 4:30pm class and maybe I should do that more often because WOW. 4:30pm class was phenomenal! It was packed in there and I 100% did not care. The room was extra warm and for some reason all I could focus on was me. Almost as if no one else was in there and Julia was instructing only me. And then class was over before I knew it. I really don't mind doing doubles, as difficult as they are, but me and yoga in the mornings do not mix. Too tight, too sleepy, too un-caffeinated.

This morning's class wasn't too bad. I'm not really warmed up and ready to go until pretty much triangle pose. Weren't a lot of people because there's a huge yoga workshop today and they all came in later for that. Had Madelyn as an instructor and I've never had her before. She held the counts just a bit longer than usual but I think I needed that this morning. Only downside to class was everyone coming into the studio for the workshop and they were either talking so loudly just outside the doors or accidentally walking into the hot room to claim their space on the floor. Happened quite a few times and it was so frustrating at the end of class when you're really trying to relax into the floor and not think about anything, then squeakkkk the door opens again and someone else says "oops" super loud. Respect guys! Come onnnn.


However, I am now off until tomorrow night at 6:30pm and I have the whole day ahead free! This is NUTS!


Only two left....super proud and super excited.
Namaste!

I Jack Bauer-ed that Class! -24

Get it? Jack Bauer? 24? ;)

Never actually watched that show....just know the reference haha


Class was awesome last night. Beyond hot and sweaty again but I felt prepared. There weren't a lot of people in the 6:30pm class but everyone leaving from the class before was dripping on their way out so I knew it was going to be nasty. But a good nasty!

It was almost as if the other students didn't exist last night. I was there for me and me only. I say almost though because the new girl and her friend in the back would not stop talking. You do not talk in that room. The instructor talks...that is it. Tuning them out was a challenge on top of the already challenging class but I guess that was my mental workout for the day. I think Julia is definitely my favorite instructor and I feel like I had her all week, she leads the class with such a loving tone that you feel the need to listen to every word and try to adjust your posture to everything she says. Standing bow was my favorite pose last night only because I feel like I'm almosttttttt there. Sure I fall out, but everyone does, but I can finally get my hip into the right position, my stretched out arm doesn't feel like it's about to fall off, I feel my back bending properly, and oh look! there's my foot coming over the top of my head. YES. Success. 

My question is, what the heck am I going to do when this is done?! Well.....continue of course ;)


Namaste!

"Some people want it to happen..." -#23

"...some wish it would happen, others make it happen."

Quote from MJ because he was #23 ;)

Class was goooooood last night. My hammys were so tight that the beginning few postures hurt a bit. But a good hurt that I knew eventually would go away....not an "ouch I quit" kind of hurt. Full class too and that means it was extraaa sweaty, which I love. I'd rather get choked by the heat than feel like I'm wasting my time. By the time we got to the floor series I felt like I couldn't do anymore because I'd wasted all my energy during the standing series. Tried my best to lay very still during savasana to conserve whatever energy I had left to finish strong and woo was that a process. Today I feel rested though, like I gave it my all and then truly melted into my bed at home and passed out.

I honestly can't believe I've made it this far and I'll be done in a few days!!

Finish strong Kels, finish strong.


Namaste <3

I'm Feelin' Twenty Twoooooooo (22)

Not actually. Tonight was rough. I would have an awesome "I am woman hear me roar" strength epiphany last night....only to have a super weak class tonight. Boooooo. I think/hope I was just tired because my muscles felt like they were going to give way at every single-leg pose.

Everything in me wanted to curl up on my mat and sleep. But I felt awesome all day, not really tired or sore and it was pretty much as soon as I got into the room I was done.

Yiiiiiiiikes. Hoping it was a fluke cause I'm ready to finish this challenge strong and I am down to 7 classes left!

Good night's rest and my coconut water lie ahead for the evening and I'm determined to wake up ready to be a badass tomorrow night.



Also...to you ladies who can go through class in pants....I applaud you.


Goodnight and Namaste!

I Touched the Butt! -21

Well okay, not actually a butt....but I did finally touch my forehead to the ground in standing separate leg and words can't express the smile I had on my face when we came out of the posture. People probably thought I was nuts. DON'T CARE, TOO STOKED. Are my hammys a wee sore this morning? Duh, but I love it.

Last night was the first night I realized how my body has changed (check out these abs yo!) But not just in the physical appearance department...I'm strong. So much stronger than I was 3.5 weeks ago. It's not a "I'm going to lift this vehicle" strong, but an inward, stable strength. It's hard to describe without using the words "I feel amazing". It's no longer a matter of telling myself to stay in the posture for the whole time because I know I can do it. I have my focal points and I stick to them.

And finally...class felt normal last night heat-wise. Extra hot and extra sweaty ;)


LET'S DO THIS.



<3 namaste