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.

Pre-Challenge

Obviously, I SUCK at blogging. I'm much better at writing down little thoughts in my moleskin during my (very short) commute to work in the morning. This blog is essentially for myself. I want to look back and remember how I felt during this month. I want to increase my self-awareness. Part of this 30-day challenge will be to write down my thoughts as I move through it.

I'm pretty excited to have a new challenge in my life. During marathon training, I realized how well I respond to limits and deadlines. Making fitness and health a top priority is really effective for me. During my yoga challenge, I will attend yoga classes a minimum of 5 days per week, allowing myself 2 days a week for self practice. I may increase my in-class yoga, but I want to improve/increase my self practice. I also want to attend AT LEAST two new yoga studios. The majority of my practice will commence at YTTP, but I want to expand to new studios and types of yoga during this challenge.

Until tomorrow...

Yoga: The union of our physical, mental, and spiritual selves. To yoke. A method of transcending the limitations of the ego. A way of life. A set of moral, ethical, and practical guidelines to live a healthy and balanced life.

8 limbs of yoga:
Yama - Social conduct, moderation in all things
Niyama - Individual conduct, purity and contentment
Asana - Posture
Pranayama - Breath control
Pratyahara - Sense withdrawal, turning senses to the internal mental and spiritual world
Dharana: Concentration
Dhyana: Meditation
Samadhi: Superconscious state leading to self-realization