So since classes 10 & 11 were within 10 hours of each other, they get one post. AKA I'm dead. Last night I was so unfocused it was ridiculous. Extra hot and I was tired and I definitely did not hydrate enough during the day (whoops). Figured my shit out by the time we got to the floor series and tried to finish strong but geeeeeeeez.
THIS MORNING however, I discovered hey! I'm not a morning person. Especially without coffee (run away people) and class was difficult and challenging, but in a good way. Only 8 of us in there too so everyone got their feet walked on...which is amazing, by the way. Took a lot longer to get warmed up this morning and my body was beyond tight so every back bend I felt like I was going to fall over. This was also the last class I'll ever have in that studio and that definitely brings up a few emotions. Drew and I had our first few bonding experiences at the very beginning of our relationship in that studio, sweating profusely and looking beyond disgusting afterwards but deciding eh...not that bad, you still look good haha :)
My next class isn't until Saturday at 4:30pm and I have over 48 hours of a break which is going to feel beyond weird since all I've been doing for the last week and a half is Bikram every day...debating going for a run tomorrow but I kind of want to enjoy my rest while I can because I feel my body giving out on me a bit, almost as if it's shouting at me "hey woman...give it up for a hot minute." Almost didn't even make it this morning but after I hit snooze again I shot out of bed and felt wide awake.
Napping is inevitable today but I already got my workout in...what did you do before 7:30 this morning? ;)
Namaste you crazies...see y'all in a few days <3
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Holy Crap...Day 9
Last night was....intense. At the new studio, they're going to start offering a 75 minute class in the early morning and the noon time slots. So Amy decided to test it out on us. Can't even count how many times the girls next to me and I kept looking at each other like "seriously? We just got in savasana!"
Most intense class of my life, which was probably intensified by the fact that I came in feeling kind of blahhh and just wanted to get it over with. It wasn't extra hot, the postures weren't extra hard to get into, just felt kind of blah. And then Amy started ramping that shit up and we all felt it. There wasn't any less time spent in the postures, but the rest time in between was definitely shortened. As soon as I hit savasana, it felt like I could rest for maybe two seconds.
The 75 minute class will be AWESOME for the 6:15am time slot (so I can actually attend and not feel beyond rushed) and the noon slot for those who need a class at lunch. But my damn, people better be prepared. I hadn't really valued that rest time until it got taken away from me last night. Fun, but definitely more difficult than the 90 minute class.
Back at it tonight <3
[namaste]
Most intense class of my life, which was probably intensified by the fact that I came in feeling kind of blahhh and just wanted to get it over with. It wasn't extra hot, the postures weren't extra hard to get into, just felt kind of blah. And then Amy started ramping that shit up and we all felt it. There wasn't any less time spent in the postures, but the rest time in between was definitely shortened. As soon as I hit savasana, it felt like I could rest for maybe two seconds.
The 75 minute class will be AWESOME for the 6:15am time slot (so I can actually attend and not feel beyond rushed) and the noon slot for those who need a class at lunch. But my damn, people better be prepared. I hadn't really valued that rest time until it got taken away from me last night. Fun, but definitely more difficult than the 90 minute class.
Back at it tonight <3
[namaste]
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Getting Easier...Day 8
Class #8 was fantastic. BIG class, lots of people, but noooobody comes and crowds my side/row of the room. Hilarious. Everyone was right next to the door and continuing to try to squeeze their mat in and touch other people, whereas next to the windows, we all had SO much space and nobody touching us and it was beautiful. Julia led a great class with lots of instruction and now that I have the sequence re-memorized it's so much easier to listen and tweak rather than tell myself not to fall out. Julia is also doing the 30 day challenge and we started on the same date, so it's nice to know that she's there to hold me accountable.
It was however, EXTRA sweaty and SO hot. the 4:30pm class right before has sooo many people and that made the room that much hotter for the 6:30pm class.
This morning, I didn't have to be at work til 8:00am and debated going to the 6:15am class AND the 6:30 class tonight but the timing would have been way too close. This means my first double is probably coming up this Sunday and I'm nervous (Jesus take the wheeeeeeel). So we have 6:30 tonight and tomorrow night, 6:15 Thursday morning and Friday off. Womp womp. Since the studio is moving, they're only offering Saturday's class at 4:30pm which means a thousand people will probably be there, but hey, new studio, lots of fun, and a housewarming party afterwards to celebrate the new space!
Namaste!
It was however, EXTRA sweaty and SO hot. the 4:30pm class right before has sooo many people and that made the room that much hotter for the 6:30pm class.
This morning, I didn't have to be at work til 8:00am and debated going to the 6:15am class AND the 6:30 class tonight but the timing would have been way too close. This means my first double is probably coming up this Sunday and I'm nervous (Jesus take the wheeeeeeel). So we have 6:30 tonight and tomorrow night, 6:15 Thursday morning and Friday off. Womp womp. Since the studio is moving, they're only offering Saturday's class at 4:30pm which means a thousand people will probably be there, but hey, new studio, lots of fun, and a housewarming party afterwards to celebrate the new space!
Namaste!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Determined Day 7
Holy yoga. What an incredible class. After a long day/night with my family I woke up this morning not really wanting to go. We went to brunch and I took a nap and I woke up roaring with determination to get this shit done today. First to the 4:30pm class (don't judge me!) and got my favorite spot and chose to just lay there for 20 minutes. Breathing and not thinking for twenty minutes. Only interruption came when two girls came in with their purses and keys and put them on the floor with their tennis shoes...told them to put everything in the locker room before Amy came in and did it. :)
Never have I been so focused on staying in a posture, that I was able to stay in EVERY standing leg pose WITHOUT falling out. Not even once. Praise Jesus. Class flew by and each and every asana made me feel like I was getting better and better and more in tune with my body. Amazing.
The best part happened after class though. There were two new ladies in the back that had never even witnessed a Bikram class before and after class when I was checking off today's date on the challenge board, they told me I was their inspiration for the class and they were impressed with everything I was able to do. Makes it all worth it and definitely makes me proud that I didn't give up on going to class today.
Day 7=done and onto the next week. I couldn't be more excited for what's to come!
Namaste <3
Never have I been so focused on staying in a posture, that I was able to stay in EVERY standing leg pose WITHOUT falling out. Not even once. Praise Jesus. Class flew by and each and every asana made me feel like I was getting better and better and more in tune with my body. Amazing.
The best part happened after class though. There were two new ladies in the back that had never even witnessed a Bikram class before and after class when I was checking off today's date on the challenge board, they told me I was their inspiration for the class and they were impressed with everything I was able to do. Makes it all worth it and definitely makes me proud that I didn't give up on going to class today.
Day 7=done and onto the next week. I couldn't be more excited for what's to come!
Namaste <3
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Mornings. Woof. Day 6
Ummmm so with it only being 10ish hours since my last class, my body was tiiiight. By going to class at night all week, my body had time to wake up and move throughout the day and I was loose by the time I got to class. This morning that was not the case. Woke up at 6:40 and said "whatttttt. whyyyy. grunt grunt." and eventually rolled out of bed. Very difficult because it's so cold in the morning right now and snuggling in bed, listening to the bulldog (and Drew) snoring is so much more inviting than even then 2 second walk to my car from the house in the 30 degree weather.
Class itself was interesting. Lots of sleepyheads and yawning going on and it took so much longer to get into postures because my body was just not operating. I was stiff and rigid and tight and sore and wanted to take a good nappy nap on my mat. Unfortunately for all of us, there was a guy in there this morning that really had no clue how to maneuver his body at all and grunted SO loud during every posture and was saying things such as "Oh God" "Damnit" "Ouch" etc the whole time...BEYOND distracting. I've never seen that many people rolling their eyes and sighing because of one person in a class. Eventually, he decided he couldn't take it in the middle of the floor series and asked if he could leave the room. Severine was kind enough to let him leave and go home (she may have been annoyed at that point as well). By the time class was over, my body felt better and awake...CRAZY cause I had zero coffee before class....Danger. Run. Could not wait to get home and chug my first cup of coffee for the day. I feel better. :)
Now I have the most time off between classes then I've had all week, so I'm hoping to feel beyond refreshed by 4:30 tomorrow...minus the fact that I'll be glugging along from going to Mas for dinner tonight. Ohhhhh darn.
Namaste you lovelies!
Class itself was interesting. Lots of sleepyheads and yawning going on and it took so much longer to get into postures because my body was just not operating. I was stiff and rigid and tight and sore and wanted to take a good nappy nap on my mat. Unfortunately for all of us, there was a guy in there this morning that really had no clue how to maneuver his body at all and grunted SO loud during every posture and was saying things such as "Oh God" "Damnit" "Ouch" etc the whole time...BEYOND distracting. I've never seen that many people rolling their eyes and sighing because of one person in a class. Eventually, he decided he couldn't take it in the middle of the floor series and asked if he could leave the room. Severine was kind enough to let him leave and go home (she may have been annoyed at that point as well). By the time class was over, my body felt better and awake...CRAZY cause I had zero coffee before class....Danger. Run. Could not wait to get home and chug my first cup of coffee for the day. I feel better. :)
Now I have the most time off between classes then I've had all week, so I'm hoping to feel beyond refreshed by 4:30 tomorrow...minus the fact that I'll be glugging along from going to Mas for dinner tonight. Ohhhhh darn.
Namaste you lovelies!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Distracted- Day 5
Lots of thoughts going on up in this head of mine these last 24 hours (mehhhh) and I was SO thankful to go to yoga tonight (I was 30 minutes early). I was ready to let it all go, sweat, breathe, and just melt into my mat tonight...didn't happen. I have a problem with overanalyzing and never being able to shut my brain off and it took a good 40 minutes into class to finally silence my thoughts and after that...all was cake.
I have found that I am focusing less on getting into the postures and more on how to tweak them to make them better. The instructors tell us to "find the cramp" and now that I've had a few days back in the saddle, I am reallyyyyyy trying to find the cramp (owwie). And I'm determined to get my head to touch the floor dammit! The little tips that Julia offered tonight were amazing. There were only 10 or 11 of us in class and I felt like she was talking to just me the whole class, knowing what I needed to adjust or to relax my face or hell, just breathe. It was a great class to end the week and number 5 is in the books.
7:30am class tomorrow morning...on a Saturday....haven't practiced in the morning in at least a year so it'll be interesting to see how I function sans coffee (I'm scared...the world should be scared too). Then a good time with my family to be had this weekend and class on Sunday at 4:30pm. That'll be the most time I've had in-between classes to recover so maybe I'll feel even more rejuvenated?
Chug chug chug Day 6 here I come!
I have found that I am focusing less on getting into the postures and more on how to tweak them to make them better. The instructors tell us to "find the cramp" and now that I've had a few days back in the saddle, I am reallyyyyyy trying to find the cramp (owwie). And I'm determined to get my head to touch the floor dammit! The little tips that Julia offered tonight were amazing. There were only 10 or 11 of us in class and I felt like she was talking to just me the whole class, knowing what I needed to adjust or to relax my face or hell, just breathe. It was a great class to end the week and number 5 is in the books.
7:30am class tomorrow morning...on a Saturday....haven't practiced in the morning in at least a year so it'll be interesting to see how I function sans coffee (I'm scared...the world should be scared too). Then a good time with my family to be had this weekend and class on Sunday at 4:30pm. That'll be the most time I've had in-between classes to recover so maybe I'll feel even more rejuvenated?
Chug chug chug Day 6 here I come!
Blessed Day 4
Most Bikram studios will tell you that once you can make it to 4 classes, your body has successfully acclimated to the heat. At this point, I almost 100% agree. However, I think it only took me 3 classes, because day 4 was incredible. Probably the first class I've ever had where I actually thought about nothing in Savasana. I stared at the ceiling and I just....was. There was so much determination with each posture that class flew by again.
Sara instructed and she has always been my favorite instructor at this studio. She leads with such an inviting tone and funny quirks and quotes that it makes class that much more enjoyable. Lots of people in the class but noooobody up in my front row (yay!). The only issue I had last night was with the two new girls in the back that didn't understand the whole 'being quiet' thing and continuing to laugh/giggle in the beginning/throughout/the end of class, even after some comments from Sara. Frustrating. Took a lot of concentration to block that shit out. I am ALL FOR new people coming to Bikram and enjoying the practice, but please understand and appreciate the rules for classes that are put in place for a reason. It is a time to reflect and grow within your own body. Rant over.
Class tonight at 6:30pm and tomorrow morning at 7:30am before my lovely family comes to Cville.
And PS...holy ABS. I don't know if I wasn't hydrated enough or what, but those puppies were out in full force last night and I don't hate it ;)
Namaste and enjoy your weekend! <3
Sara instructed and she has always been my favorite instructor at this studio. She leads with such an inviting tone and funny quirks and quotes that it makes class that much more enjoyable. Lots of people in the class but noooobody up in my front row (yay!). The only issue I had last night was with the two new girls in the back that didn't understand the whole 'being quiet' thing and continuing to laugh/giggle in the beginning/throughout/the end of class, even after some comments from Sara. Frustrating. Took a lot of concentration to block that shit out. I am ALL FOR new people coming to Bikram and enjoying the practice, but please understand and appreciate the rules for classes that are put in place for a reason. It is a time to reflect and grow within your own body. Rant over.
Class tonight at 6:30pm and tomorrow morning at 7:30am before my lovely family comes to Cville.
And PS...holy ABS. I don't know if I wasn't hydrated enough or what, but those puppies were out in full force last night and I don't hate it ;)
Namaste and enjoy your weekend! <3
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Turn Arounddddd....Day 3
Bright eyesssss....
Sorry, Instructor Amy had a moment in class where she told us to turn around and the way she said it made me (and others) think about this song. We all had a good laugh after class about it, and now the song has been stuck in my head ever since.
Tuesday I woke up tired, but not sore. Wednesday I woke up sore, but not tired. DAMN YOU DOMS! DOMS-delayed onset of muscle soreness, the body usually takes 48ish hours to exhibit muscle soreness...so that leg day you did on Tuesday, you'll feel the majority of it Thursday. Yay education!
Class was great, less people than the night before but still a full house. I felt hydrated and ready to go even though my muscles were pretty tight. I was determined to stay in all of the one-leg balancing poses for the entire time and almosttttt made it. I feel like if my boobs were a wee bit smaller, Eagle pose would be easier to get into with my arms :) I'm sure most ladies feel this way!
Class also flew by, before I knew it we were on the floor in Savasana and I could have totally taken a nap. It was warm in the room, but not overly hot making you feel dizzy. The was a solid energy in the room and everyone felt and looked focused!
Side note: the Bikram studio is moving and will be closed next Friday...meaning I have to do a double. I've never gone twice in one day and it worries me that I won't have an adequate amount of time to hydrate between classes so next Saturday will definitely be interesting.
This morning...I'm tired...and sore...and in desperate need of coffee/WATER...but SO ready for day 4.
Sorry, Instructor Amy had a moment in class where she told us to turn around and the way she said it made me (and others) think about this song. We all had a good laugh after class about it, and now the song has been stuck in my head ever since.
Tuesday I woke up tired, but not sore. Wednesday I woke up sore, but not tired. DAMN YOU DOMS! DOMS-delayed onset of muscle soreness, the body usually takes 48ish hours to exhibit muscle soreness...so that leg day you did on Tuesday, you'll feel the majority of it Thursday. Yay education!
Class was great, less people than the night before but still a full house. I felt hydrated and ready to go even though my muscles were pretty tight. I was determined to stay in all of the one-leg balancing poses for the entire time and almosttttt made it. I feel like if my boobs were a wee bit smaller, Eagle pose would be easier to get into with my arms :) I'm sure most ladies feel this way!
Class also flew by, before I knew it we were on the floor in Savasana and I could have totally taken a nap. It was warm in the room, but not overly hot making you feel dizzy. The was a solid energy in the room and everyone felt and looked focused!
Side note: the Bikram studio is moving and will be closed next Friday...meaning I have to do a double. I've never gone twice in one day and it worries me that I won't have an adequate amount of time to hydrate between classes so next Saturday will definitely be interesting.
This morning...I'm tired...and sore...and in desperate need of coffee/WATER...but SO ready for day 4.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Til the Sweat Drops Down My....Day 2
...ha jk!
Day two. Uh-mazinggggly sweaty class! Last night at 6:30pm there were only 10 people in the class (weird for a 6:30pm class), tonight there were at least 30 (more appropriate). Makes quite a difference with the heat and the concentration. There was a different energy tonight too. Last night was very relaxed, I think there was one new person, and everyone was just kind of in the zone...tonight you could practically touch the nervous energy coming from the 10 new girls in the back (16 years old....maybe). Now I like to be in the front of the class, and I know that comes with some leading when there are new people...heck, they're told to WATCH the people in the front if they need help (yikes). But overall it was a good class, tried to focus just on me but got to be pretty difficult and at one point the girl next to me was falling out of poses in sync with when I was falling out of my poses. Amy was the instructor for tonight and I've always loved being in her classes. She comes in with a "we're doing this" attitude and leads the class with a very productive tone, helping those in need, giving instruction, but knowing that we are there to do work.
However, a few Bikram yoga pet peeves that I seemed to have latched onto this evening:
1. Putting your mat directly behind someone not only blocks your view of the mirror and what you're doing, but also makes you smell my feet the entire class. Gross.
2. Moving someone else's mat when they're not in the room and asking if it's okay. I have OCD. Sometimes it's pretty extreme. I put my mat in the same spot so I can line myself up with the same line/crack on the ceiling everyyyy class. I'm sure if I'm like this...there are others. At least be courteous and ask if someone could scoot just a smidge for you. Most people are nice...they probably won't mind.
Time to guzzle 80 more gallons of water for the evening, snuggle up with Peanut and pass the eff out ;)
Day two. Uh-mazinggggly sweaty class! Last night at 6:30pm there were only 10 people in the class (weird for a 6:30pm class), tonight there were at least 30 (more appropriate). Makes quite a difference with the heat and the concentration. There was a different energy tonight too. Last night was very relaxed, I think there was one new person, and everyone was just kind of in the zone...tonight you could practically touch the nervous energy coming from the 10 new girls in the back (16 years old....maybe). Now I like to be in the front of the class, and I know that comes with some leading when there are new people...heck, they're told to WATCH the people in the front if they need help (yikes). But overall it was a good class, tried to focus just on me but got to be pretty difficult and at one point the girl next to me was falling out of poses in sync with when I was falling out of my poses. Amy was the instructor for tonight and I've always loved being in her classes. She comes in with a "we're doing this" attitude and leads the class with a very productive tone, helping those in need, giving instruction, but knowing that we are there to do work.
However, a few Bikram yoga pet peeves that I seemed to have latched onto this evening:
1. Putting your mat directly behind someone not only blocks your view of the mirror and what you're doing, but also makes you smell my feet the entire class. Gross.
2. Moving someone else's mat when they're not in the room and asking if it's okay. I have OCD. Sometimes it's pretty extreme. I put my mat in the same spot so I can line myself up with the same line/crack on the ceiling everyyyy class. I'm sure if I'm like this...there are others. At least be courteous and ask if someone could scoot just a smidge for you. Most people are nice...they probably won't mind.
Time to guzzle 80 more gallons of water for the evening, snuggle up with Peanut and pass the eff out ;)
Monday, October 21, 2013
The 6 P's...Day One
Growing up mom and dad ALWAYS told my sister and I about the 6 P's: Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance
Classy right? ;)
So naturally...this was stuck in my head since Saturday night and all I could think about was chugging water (I currently feel like a whale) and stretching when I could just to give myself any sort of an edge.
Class tonight was at 6:30pm...due to job constraints it's pretty much the only class I can go to during the week so it works, I'm just mad hungry by the time it's over! The instructor tonight was Julia who I had never had before and she was awesome. Never in my life at a Bikram studio have I witnessed an instructor MAKE SURE they had all the names of the students in the class and then actually use those names to give advice and compliment posture. A lot of the time you'll hear "girl in the pink...in the back...yeah you, you're other left" so that was super.
Bikram is kind of like riding a bike...lots of "oh yeahhh" and "oops" moments but eventually, you figure your shit out and get back into it. Breathing specifically. But my number one mountain to climb during this challenge will definitely be keeping my focus. I always position myself in the front row so I get the best mirror spot (no, I'm not a narcissist) but I use it to focus on a freckle on my tummy during postures to keep my concentration. However, as soon as homeboy in the back corner starts to wiggle, it all goes to hell. So that's my number one goal for the next 30 (29) days, keep my head on straight and focus on my goals and abilities.
Tomorrowwwww
(sidenote: got complimented on TRIANGLE. WHO gets a compliment on triangle...that position is no joke!)
Classy right? ;)
So naturally...this was stuck in my head since Saturday night and all I could think about was chugging water (I currently feel like a whale) and stretching when I could just to give myself any sort of an edge.
Class tonight was at 6:30pm...due to job constraints it's pretty much the only class I can go to during the week so it works, I'm just mad hungry by the time it's over! The instructor tonight was Julia who I had never had before and she was awesome. Never in my life at a Bikram studio have I witnessed an instructor MAKE SURE they had all the names of the students in the class and then actually use those names to give advice and compliment posture. A lot of the time you'll hear "girl in the pink...in the back...yeah you, you're other left" so that was super.
Bikram is kind of like riding a bike...lots of "oh yeahhh" and "oops" moments but eventually, you figure your shit out and get back into it. Breathing specifically. But my number one mountain to climb during this challenge will definitely be keeping my focus. I always position myself in the front row so I get the best mirror spot (no, I'm not a narcissist) but I use it to focus on a freckle on my tummy during postures to keep my concentration. However, as soon as homeboy in the back corner starts to wiggle, it all goes to hell. So that's my number one goal for the next 30 (29) days, keep my head on straight and focus on my goals and abilities.
Tomorrowwwww
(sidenote: got complimented on TRIANGLE. WHO gets a compliment on triangle...that position is no joke!)
Saturday, October 19, 2013
So What Had Happened Was....
I wake up, I go to work, I go for a run, I walk the dog....and end up on my couch by 8pm ready for all of my shows. Sleep and repeat. Daily routine is beyond monotonous these days and I need a change. "Pick up a hobby", "get another job", "go to bed at 8!"....errr why YES I would not mind going to bed at 8 every night but I would probably just lay there the whole time until 11pm...like a normal person. And then inevitably wake up at stupid o'clock in the morning wondering what the heck had just happened.
Over the years I've been an on-again-off-again Bikram yoga fan. I feel like I really have to be in a specific mindset to go to class and a lot of the time I planned to go I'd say, "Ehhh, screw it, I'll just go for a 20 minute run instead!" knowing that the 6:30pm class was going to be packed, and thus hotter in the room, and further thus...melting into my mat. And other days I would be absolutely obsessed with the practice and overly pumped to go and sweat out everything. Love/hate relationship (or in reality pumped/lazy relationship).
However, I've always wanted to get through the 30 Day Challenge that Bikram yoga studios offer. The goal is to go 30 times in 30 days and you're allowed to miss two days as long as you make them up by going DOUBLE on another day (yikes). I've made it 14 days in a row, then got hit with a gnarly sinus infection and thought lack of breathing/snotting all over me, my mat, the towel, and other yogis was a bad idea and then I just couldn't get back into it. In all honesty, I had nothing and no one holding me accountable. Those 14 days in a row were awesomely painful. I was thirsty ALL THE TIME. And I hate the taste of water (weird, I know) so having to chug bottles upon bottles of it was a new experience and my body felt like I had muscles in places I didn't know muscles were supposed to be...and I have a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology so anatomy is kind of my thing. But I felt great. Almost as if I was breaking my body down to completely rebuild it as an improved Kelsey.
So here is my hobby (happy MOM?). Beginning Monday the 21st of this month, I will start the 30 Day Challenge at the Bikram Yoga studio here in Charlottesville. Am I excited? WOOT. Am I terrified? TOTES. But also, I'd like to record my experience for those who want to know/are interested in trying themselves/I won't hold anything back about how I feel or felt on that day going into the class, especially the awesome play-by-play of the old lady in the back letting one rip during Pavanamuktasana (say that three times fast!).
Til Monday y'all. Namaste.
(If I die of hyperhidrosis, tell my family I love them)
SIDE NOTE: For those that don't know much about Bikram, it's a very specific practice of yoga created by Bikram Choudhury that consists of the same 26 poses (asanas) performed twice, in a room heated to 105 degrees for 90 minutes and the humidity set at 40%. DOESN'T THAT SOUND EPIC?
Over the years I've been an on-again-off-again Bikram yoga fan. I feel like I really have to be in a specific mindset to go to class and a lot of the time I planned to go I'd say, "Ehhh, screw it, I'll just go for a 20 minute run instead!" knowing that the 6:30pm class was going to be packed, and thus hotter in the room, and further thus...melting into my mat. And other days I would be absolutely obsessed with the practice and overly pumped to go and sweat out everything. Love/hate relationship (or in reality pumped/lazy relationship).
However, I've always wanted to get through the 30 Day Challenge that Bikram yoga studios offer. The goal is to go 30 times in 30 days and you're allowed to miss two days as long as you make them up by going DOUBLE on another day (yikes). I've made it 14 days in a row, then got hit with a gnarly sinus infection and thought lack of breathing/snotting all over me, my mat, the towel, and other yogis was a bad idea and then I just couldn't get back into it. In all honesty, I had nothing and no one holding me accountable. Those 14 days in a row were awesomely painful. I was thirsty ALL THE TIME. And I hate the taste of water (weird, I know) so having to chug bottles upon bottles of it was a new experience and my body felt like I had muscles in places I didn't know muscles were supposed to be...and I have a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology so anatomy is kind of my thing. But I felt great. Almost as if I was breaking my body down to completely rebuild it as an improved Kelsey.
So here is my hobby (happy MOM?). Beginning Monday the 21st of this month, I will start the 30 Day Challenge at the Bikram Yoga studio here in Charlottesville. Am I excited? WOOT. Am I terrified? TOTES. But also, I'd like to record my experience for those who want to know/are interested in trying themselves/I won't hold anything back about how I feel or felt on that day going into the class, especially the awesome play-by-play of the old lady in the back letting one rip during Pavanamuktasana (say that three times fast!).
Til Monday y'all. Namaste.
(If I die of hyperhidrosis, tell my family I love them)
SIDE NOTE: For those that don't know much about Bikram, it's a very specific practice of yoga created by Bikram Choudhury that consists of the same 26 poses (asanas) performed twice, in a room heated to 105 degrees for 90 minutes and the humidity set at 40%. DOESN'T THAT SOUND EPIC?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)