George Bernard Shaw

My life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is a privilege to do for it whatsoever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment; and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

Day 13

Good yoga weekend. Friday night vinyasa, Saturday 50 minute self-practice vinyasa, and Sunday 90 minute vinyasa class. Still having some shoulder pain. I think my down dog is really improving though. I'm finally starting to really stretch out my hamstrings, and hopefully I can finally start to strengthen my back more.

Sometimes I feel like I'm a pretty advanced student, and other times I feel like I have so far to go I shouldn't even be considering teach training. When will I be ready? When will I know I'm ready? Will I ever be ready?

I'm spending super bowl sunday in watching he's just not that into you. Is that sad?

I'm also considering doing a 30 day bikram challenge after this 30 day challenge.

Day 9

It's been a pretty tough week. Monday I was planning on going to an afternoon class, but I was feeling so exhausted. I did a short 30 minute self practice. Tuesday I had class all day and did self practice again for about 40 minutes. Today my morning class got canceled due to weather so I got to go to YTTP for a morning class. I love morning classes, but it's so hard to find the energy to get there. The past few days, I feel like I've had to pry myself out of bed. I got an extra hour this morning, so I hope the rest of the week runs smoothly. I'm planning a 6pm class tomorrow night. I can hopefully get out of work in time to make it there.

I was watching I Used to be Fat on MTV tonight, and it actually really spoke to me. The girl wasn't losing weight because she was cheating with her diet. Sometimes I just DON'T feel like writing down what I'm eating, and I'm too afraid to step on the scale. If i don't see it, it doesn't matter. I just can't handle being this weight anymore. I know my body is slightly improving, but I need the number on the scale to go down. I KNOW this is not a healthy weight. I was my body to feel light and healthy, not weighed down by an extra 20 pounds I don't need. I feel like I'm eating so healthy. I eat almost completely vegan, with the exception of the occasional omelet at brunch. I don't know how much more I can cut out. I've got to keep tracking my calories and see what I can cut out. I don't want to be one of those overweight vegetarians. I don't want people to be surprised I ran a marathon, or that I'm doing a 30 day yoga challenge.

Here's to a healthy Thursday.

Day 7

It was quite the productive yoga weekend. I went to vinyasa Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I felt really great and strong on Friday and Saturday, but I was pretty sore and tired on Sunday. I feel even more tired today, even though I got enough sleep. I did about 25 minutes of self practice this afternoon, and hopefully I get out of class early and can do another 30 minutes before I go to sleep. I guess I'm going to have to do self practice on tuesday mornings too. I feel more awake now that I drank some coffee, but I don't want to have to rely on it. I suck at blogging. That's all.

Day 3

Self practice: 40 minutes. I definitely could have put more effort into that. Vinyasa tomorrow!

Day 2

It was a success! I went to the new YTTP in Williamsburg for Bikram. The new studio is so nice. I thought it would be a short commute there, but it took a little long than I was expecting. It's about a 15 minute subway ride and a 10 minute walk there. By no means the longest, but when you consider that the class is 90 min long, you definitely take up a good part of your day. I left around 3:30 for a 4:30 class, because I wasn't exactly sure where the studio was and got there in plenty of time. The studio is so shiny new; I love it!

I think it was my best Bikram class ever. I didn't have to take any breaks, which was for sure a first for me. I only felt slightly nauseous during the more difficult postures. It feels good to get back to a Bikram class. I don't think I'll be doing it TOO often, mostly for financial reasons. It's way more expensive than my normal vinyasa class. But part of this challenge is to try out new yoga studios, so I will have to invest a bit of money. I'm ok with that. My biggest challenge continues to be balancing postures. I'm not sure if it's my scoliosis, or if I'm just naturally not good at balancing. I hope in the next month, I can go to some advanced classes and focus on inversions and balancing. I'm sure dropping a few pounds would really help too.

I still sort of can't believe I have 28 more days of yoga ahead of me. I think this blog might be the only thing that keeps me sane. Until tomorrow...

Day 1

I have to leave in the next 15 minutes for my class. I found myself wondering today- Can I really do this? What benefits will I get out of this? It's only 30 days; it can't be that hard. And on the other hand, it's only 30 days. Will I feel any different? Despite my doubts, I am excited.

Tonight: Vinyasa flow at YTTP
32.5"

First day was hot and sweaty. Overly crowded. Note to self: try to avoid to 7:30 class at YTTP.