A Hip Overhaul

My 30 day challenge is in its final stretch. I have made some new friends at the studio which has an awesome community but my practice isn't really much different than when I started the challenge. I guess it IS more consistent but sometimes I expect miracles. My breath is becoming ever more important class by class but my flexibility is in the pits. And OH MY HIPS. Good God how they scream at me during Standing Separate Leg Stretching, Tauladasana (standing on right leg), Final Spinal, and also during Separate Leg Stretching. The right hip, right hamstring, right lower back, even my right butt cheek, feel like a squeaky metal car in need of oil. Visualize: squeaky butt cheek.......That is a lot of postures and a lot of body parts that need oil. I need an overhaul. PIMP MY RIDE!

On the plus side, I have submitted my scholarship application to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training for this April session. Today the road there seems so long and so hard. I'll keep on movin'.

Day 3: Compassion

Yesterday I was so exhausted that I couldn't make it to the hill to go snowboarding after my morning class. My body felt fantastic though, there is nothing else on earth that enables me to feel like I do after a Bikram Yoga class. Today I got some mountain time in the AM and took a later class. After snowboarding, my legs always feel stronger in class even as random bruises from boots and bumps start to surface.

I am dealing with a stiff neck. That is not a good way to start a challenge, because if I remember correctly.. it only get's harder before it doesn't get harder (not going to say it gets easier). To deal, I am not turning my head in right Triangle, Final Spinal, and today I sat out Rabbit.. and I love Rabbit. Lately I have been able to feel my vertebrate separating in that posture and it fells amazing. Teach gave me some great advice to really let it all go in Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose, letting my spine hang down, gravity pulling it towards the floor. We are supposed to do this in every class, but today I let my focus center there. While doing this, I almost forgot about my screaming hamstrings.. almost.

Yesterday, my teach was very hands on. Finding a Bikram Yoga teacher who is confident enough to make corrections AND has eyes in the back of their head is a rarity and a gift. He makes it possible to be in every.single.moment. of class. With my neck and back muscles clenched from my stiff neck, by the end of Half Moon, I was out of breath. I was, as my teacher put it, suffering. Staring down at the floor with my chest heaving, I did not panic. I stood on my mat, in my space, and reminded myself not to judge the fact that it was so early in class and already I was loosing steam. I would trust myself to catch my breath and I would trust myself to join back in when I was ready. Teach noticed and said, "Kirsten, you are suffering. That is alright but look in the mirror and witness yourself suffering." What a beautiful and honest joy to for my teacher to see me in that moment and to be there to lean on.

Bits

I have class at 6.

I am fearful of another nipple slip during Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose.

TMI?

This has not been a productive post.

Delicious

Class was delicious.

I hit the 4PM circuit today with mixed feelings. Meh.. I could go, but if I skipped who would care? I would! Because I promised 3X a week min-i-mum!

I got a spot right between the door to the outside and the door to the reception area. Fresh air was flowing. Life was good.

Enter power couple.. you know the husband and wife that come in with their expensive yoga clothes.. rent the towel AND the mat, buy a coconut water + a water bottle, then try on some of the LP yoga clothes by Vata. HE sighed loudly about 50X during class during Savasana while wearing his leopard print yoga manpants. I know this because I could hear him from the complete other side of the room .

They were a trip. I like them. I hope they come back. No judgement of course!

My hamstrings were sore today but moved forward with a much needed correction during Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Paschimotthanasana (Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose). This correction was to grip my heals more than the sides of my feet. I have been gripping the sides of my feet (sort of the heal area but not really) every class religiously. So when my teacher pointed out my fault.. imagine the horror! I also skipped out on all of the sit ups because they make my back feel funny.. but it was a good class.

My local studio was started by Lisa Pelzer. She has two studios in the Vancouver area and teaches a really great class. She also teamed up with VATA to pump out some siiick hot yoga gear. Ch Ch Check it out. Below is her one shoulder design. In my opinion, it is the most unique but I am not sure about functionality. I do stand by VATA and have worn my VATA top to almost all of my classes and only now is it starting to fray. Let me tell you.. my Bikram clothes get ABUSED!

Why Not Wednesdays

Three days in a row of Bikram Yoga. If I roll out of bed and into the yoga the room via the 10:00AM circuit.. don't call me lazy because I cant seem to bring my hands together during Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Janushirasana (Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose). Snayap. But I guess it worked- because after that I tried even harder and was able to bring them together. That still doesn't mean my legs weren't shaking and sweat was dripping into my eye. My instructor today might be one of my favorite drill sergeants.

My hamstrings screamed all class. It seems like the more days in a row I practice, the more my hamstrings hurt- especially during Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Paschimotthanasana (Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Stretching Pose). I cannot seem to find a happy medium stretching during that pose where my worn out hamstrings feel protected but I can still do the pose. It is all or none with that one. This is frustrating because it is hard to progress when you are sore and afraid to push through.

During the Savasana between first and second set of Ustrasana (Camel Pose), my instructor- the one deeming us all lazy decided that today- Wednesday is a 'Why not Wednesday!?' What does that mean? It means we get to hold the pose for twice as long. Last post I set my intention to work on my posture.. and this pose especially helps with it. I guess the Universe was listening.

I am so tired. My body wrung out. My cat likes to practice yoga when I come home from class. She is round like a coconut.