Well I didn't breath as well as I would have hoped in this class considering the last one, but it was still an improvement over my normal level so I'll take it. I had some trouble focusing overall and kept thinking about work problems. Sorry for not being more mindful and focused on the moment Sara. : ( Here is what I remember from my scattered thoughts:
Good: So I don't know the name of it, but I look like the girl in Christina's World by Wyeth (I really need a haircut and to get off the farm...) I am loving twists right now. It's silly, but if an instructor describes a pose as a twist, I breath a little better and unclench some of my muscles. The mind is a weird wonderful thing.
Bad: Maybe I can get Sara to call it Pigeon Twist instead of Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 cause that pigeon has definitely pooped on my psyche and is roosting in my head. I know I can have a decent pigeon because I have had them before and I am certainly more limber now than I have been in the past. If I could just find a way to relax I would be back to being the king of pigeons (or at least minor nobility of some sort) in no time.
Yummy: My savasana was pretty good. I know it's not sleep but mine seem to go a lot better if I am a little tired when I get to it. I felt super refreshed after the class was over and ready to see a better tomorrow. Thanks Sara!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Class# 43 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
I am so excited about this class. I feel like I had a mini breakthrough. Kimberly really emphasized the breath (as she often does) and I was able to do a much better job of breathing throughout. The poses really do come after the breath and not before it. I tried to just breath and let what was going to happen, happen and I was in a much better place mentally than I usually am. Hmm, I guess I am already in the "Good" so I'm going to drop down there and give some more detail.
({{{}}})
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Good: That was my attempt at happy shower drops by the way. So every day and every class is a new opportunity and recently I have been a bit frustrated (as you may have noticed) with how lacking my breath is. I have been coming at the problem from wrong angles though. Beating myself up doesn't really work. Obsessing over how good everyone else's breath is doesn't work. Even fixating over how my breath sounds does not really get at the heart of the matter. I wish there was a non-cliched way to say to say this, but deciding to "Just Breathe" seems to be the key. I took long deep even breaths and when I didn't for whatever reason, I used that opportunity to...
take a long deep breath. I don't know if my poses looked better or worse, but they certainly felt better and less stressful while I did them (yes I get stressed during yoga but not as much as I have before).
Bad: I am not even that upset about the bad, my old nemesis Seated Forward Bend Paschimottanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/477 I don't usually get that far without aid of some sort like a strap or grabbing my legs and trying to wrench myself down. I am pretty sure this is not what the pose is about anyways, but rather gracefully stretching and lowering the torso without crumpling. So when I had hit a wall, Kimberly came over and gently but firmly helped me push through and after she left I was actually able to go even further. It would be great if I could do this unassisted, but I am still really happy with how it wound up and my prospects for the future.
Yummy: So much yum that day... Breathing makes everything better. The adjustments were wonderful. There is really an art to helping people find where they can go without pushing too far. Kimberly, you are a talented artist. The music was also especially cool with some really good songs that fit with the love theme of the class without being sappy (not that there is anything wrong with that. Yum, yum, yum. it was like eating some home made brownies without the guilt!
Okay, so now I just need to keep breathing and not get cocky. Wish me luck!
({{{}}})
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Good: That was my attempt at happy shower drops by the way. So every day and every class is a new opportunity and recently I have been a bit frustrated (as you may have noticed) with how lacking my breath is. I have been coming at the problem from wrong angles though. Beating myself up doesn't really work. Obsessing over how good everyone else's breath is doesn't work. Even fixating over how my breath sounds does not really get at the heart of the matter. I wish there was a non-cliched way to say to say this, but deciding to "Just Breathe" seems to be the key. I took long deep even breaths and when I didn't for whatever reason, I used that opportunity to...
take a long deep breath. I don't know if my poses looked better or worse, but they certainly felt better and less stressful while I did them (yes I get stressed during yoga but not as much as I have before).
Bad: I am not even that upset about the bad, my old nemesis Seated Forward Bend Paschimottanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/477 I don't usually get that far without aid of some sort like a strap or grabbing my legs and trying to wrench myself down. I am pretty sure this is not what the pose is about anyways, but rather gracefully stretching and lowering the torso without crumpling. So when I had hit a wall, Kimberly came over and gently but firmly helped me push through and after she left I was actually able to go even further. It would be great if I could do this unassisted, but I am still really happy with how it wound up and my prospects for the future.
Yummy: So much yum that day... Breathing makes everything better. The adjustments were wonderful. There is really an art to helping people find where they can go without pushing too far. Kimberly, you are a talented artist. The music was also especially cool with some really good songs that fit with the love theme of the class without being sappy (not that there is anything wrong with that. Yum, yum, yum. it was like eating some home made brownies without the guilt!
Okay, so now I just need to keep breathing and not get cocky. Wish me luck!
Class #42 Hot Vinyasa Yoga with Kimberly
So as people may or may not know, I lost a good deal a weight and bad cholesterol through yoga and some diet changes. Unfortunately, I have managed to put five or so pounds back on despite actually going to more classes than I used to. My school schedule has been making it rough to eat healthy and I also have not been able to make it to as many of the hot and/or fast paced classes lately. Anyways, it was great to go to one of the classes that I have really happy associations with. Heat+moving=progress in my mind still. I got there just in time after oversleeping again. (I am trying out the special lights that are supposed to help with energy during winter time.) My body seemed really confused because I kept trying to yawn while being out of breath. I basically made weird fishy sounds. Sorry nice new guy that was next to me. I hope I didn't scare you with my glubs. So aside from being happy, nostalgic, and fishy how did it go? Let's see...
Good: The basic sequence of down dog, plank and chaturanga is something that comes up a lot both in class and in my home practice. There is always room to grow but I have been trying really hard to breath better during that time and it is starting to pay dividends. My mind is in a good place where I am neither complacent nor panicked. Hopefully that little acorn of mindfulness and a few others I have in some scattered poses can grow together into a healthy forest of not sucking...
Bad: Oh Extended Side Angle Utthita Parsvakonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/749 what am I going to do with you? I still feel like I am stuck in between variations for this pose. I like the way my body feels when I am in this pose and my forearm near my elbow is pressed right behind my knee. My mind, however, will not shut up about how I should be doing it the way a lot of other people are and how it is in the picture I linked to. However, I don't feel stable and my "lines" don't feel right when I try it that way. The deal I have made with my ego lately has been that as long as the pose I am in can strengthen and prepare me for future poses then I don't have to beat myself up as much. Since, that does not really seem to be the case with this pose, I am having a lot of trouble making my peace with it.
Yummy: On a happier note there is a pose we did that I keep meaning to talk about that i just love. There is not a name for it that I have heard but Amanda has dubbed it "Happy Boulder". Kinda like in Happy Baby Ananda Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2497 you are on your back but instead of reaching for your feet and drawing them down with knees bent, you just hug your knees into your chest and wrap your arms around them, then rock back and forth. To the casual observer, you look a lot like a tiny boulder and if you are smiling (and really how can you not?) then you are a happy boulder!
Next class description is almost done. See you soon everyone!
Good: The basic sequence of down dog, plank and chaturanga is something that comes up a lot both in class and in my home practice. There is always room to grow but I have been trying really hard to breath better during that time and it is starting to pay dividends. My mind is in a good place where I am neither complacent nor panicked. Hopefully that little acorn of mindfulness and a few others I have in some scattered poses can grow together into a healthy forest of not sucking...
Bad: Oh Extended Side Angle Utthita Parsvakonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/749 what am I going to do with you? I still feel like I am stuck in between variations for this pose. I like the way my body feels when I am in this pose and my forearm near my elbow is pressed right behind my knee. My mind, however, will not shut up about how I should be doing it the way a lot of other people are and how it is in the picture I linked to. However, I don't feel stable and my "lines" don't feel right when I try it that way. The deal I have made with my ego lately has been that as long as the pose I am in can strengthen and prepare me for future poses then I don't have to beat myself up as much. Since, that does not really seem to be the case with this pose, I am having a lot of trouble making my peace with it.
Yummy: On a happier note there is a pose we did that I keep meaning to talk about that i just love. There is not a name for it that I have heard but Amanda has dubbed it "Happy Boulder". Kinda like in Happy Baby Ananda Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2497 you are on your back but instead of reaching for your feet and drawing them down with knees bent, you just hug your knees into your chest and wrap your arms around them, then rock back and forth. To the casual observer, you look a lot like a tiny boulder and if you are smiling (and really how can you not?) then you are a happy boulder!
Next class description is almost done. See you soon everyone!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Class #41 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
Going to this class helped some after my horrible experience at Gold's. I actually usually have a Friday evening commitment, but I cancelled since I wasn't feeling up to it or the driving I would need to do. I was still a little dizzy, but my wonderful wife Amanda drove me to yoga and practiced next to me, keeping an eye on me to make sure I was okay.
Good: I used to dread Chair pose Utkatasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/493 but now I kind of like it. I am not excited about doing it, but I have made my peace with it and when it is time for chair I do chair. The overall sequence that involves chair and uttanasana and stretching up with arms overhead is definitely fun. Of course, anything and uttanasana is pretty fun, but still...
Bad: I used to NOT dread pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana but lately we have had a bit of a falling out. You can kind of get away with being tense in some of the poses, but pigeon will have none of that and it has been pretty brutal lately for me. Of course it is mostly mental. I think it will be painful and stressful so I tense in preparation which makes it worse and it downward spirals from there. I need to find something to bring out of this pigeon poopstorm...
Yummy: Anytime I get to practice next to Amanda is wonderful. Her schedule is very busy and it almost feels like a little vacation when we get to do yoga together. The overall class was a welcome haven after the trauma earlier and a reminder of the special oasis Amsa is. Thanks Kimberly and thanks Amsa community for being there!
Good: I used to dread Chair pose Utkatasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/493 but now I kind of like it. I am not excited about doing it, but I have made my peace with it and when it is time for chair I do chair. The overall sequence that involves chair and uttanasana and stretching up with arms overhead is definitely fun. Of course, anything and uttanasana is pretty fun, but still...
Bad: I used to NOT dread pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana but lately we have had a bit of a falling out. You can kind of get away with being tense in some of the poses, but pigeon will have none of that and it has been pretty brutal lately for me. Of course it is mostly mental. I think it will be painful and stressful so I tense in preparation which makes it worse and it downward spirals from there. I need to find something to bring out of this pigeon poopstorm...
Yummy: Anytime I get to practice next to Amanda is wonderful. Her schedule is very busy and it almost feels like a little vacation when we get to do yoga together. The overall class was a welcome haven after the trauma earlier and a reminder of the special oasis Amsa is. Thanks Kimberly and thanks Amsa community for being there!
Class #40 Gold's Gym Full Contact Yoga with Headshot
Ugh. I overslept my normal Amsa class so I went to Gold's Gym where I am already paying for a membership and I literally got kicked in the head and thought I had a concussion. "Luckily", it appears to just be a really bad headache with some dizziness. I may try to come back to this post and somehow find good and yummy, but right now I don't want to even think about it.
Class #39 Slow Mindful Flow with Sara
Well, I am behind again. Sleepiness and busy-ness are a difficult duo to overcome. I have made a couple classes recently though, so let's catch up. Slow mindful flow was good times but I had a lot of trouble relaxing and letting go. Of course I was that way before I got to class also...
Good: You know me, I am a sucker for all thing twisty and stretchy (except pigeon, he's no friend of mine) I have been having some trouble with balance lately so it felt good to get a decent revolved triangle Parivrtta Trikonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692 . Ahh triangles. Day got you down? Triangles will pick you right back up. : )
Bad: Seriously, I was so tense that day I could not even let go in savasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482 I need a massage or to be shot with a tranquilizer dart or something.
Yummy: Aside from the fun of seeing Sara again (our paths had not crossed for awhile) and enjoying some juicy twists ( there was actually another one that was new to me that I really enjoyed but I don't know what to call it) I also was lucky enough to have Katie as a mat buddy. I need to get a word from her to put up on the side descriptions.
Thinking of Katie reminds me of a tangent I have been meaning to share. Okay, so I realized the other day that all of my yoga friends are much better at breathing during class. I have been wondering which of the following is the reason for this.
1)I am so bad at breathing that no matter who I made friends with they would be noticeably better if our mats were next to each other. I have a friend with asthma that I need to convince to come to yoga to test this theory.
2)My brain is slowly dying from lack of oxygen during my frequent yoga classes and so has been sending me subtle signals like "Psst, go make friends with that person who breaths well so that you don't die next time you have to do chaturanga" If this is true and there are actually other people who don't breathe especially well, then I apologize for not being better friends with you. It's not you, it's my brain I promise...
3)Maybe the other yoga students were worried about the poor guy not breathing and drew straws over who would take shifts to practice next to him and encourage him to breath occasionally. If this is true, I appreciate the thought yogis. I promise to try hard to breath and not die in recognition of your efforts.
Whatever it is, I'll keep working on it and we'll see how it goes in future classes.
Good: You know me, I am a sucker for all thing twisty and stretchy (except pigeon, he's no friend of mine) I have been having some trouble with balance lately so it felt good to get a decent revolved triangle Parivrtta Trikonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692 . Ahh triangles. Day got you down? Triangles will pick you right back up. : )
Bad: Seriously, I was so tense that day I could not even let go in savasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482 I need a massage or to be shot with a tranquilizer dart or something.
Yummy: Aside from the fun of seeing Sara again (our paths had not crossed for awhile) and enjoying some juicy twists ( there was actually another one that was new to me that I really enjoyed but I don't know what to call it) I also was lucky enough to have Katie as a mat buddy. I need to get a word from her to put up on the side descriptions.
Thinking of Katie reminds me of a tangent I have been meaning to share. Okay, so I realized the other day that all of my yoga friends are much better at breathing during class. I have been wondering which of the following is the reason for this.
1)I am so bad at breathing that no matter who I made friends with they would be noticeably better if our mats were next to each other. I have a friend with asthma that I need to convince to come to yoga to test this theory.
2)My brain is slowly dying from lack of oxygen during my frequent yoga classes and so has been sending me subtle signals like "Psst, go make friends with that person who breaths well so that you don't die next time you have to do chaturanga" If this is true and there are actually other people who don't breathe especially well, then I apologize for not being better friends with you. It's not you, it's my brain I promise...
3)Maybe the other yoga students were worried about the poor guy not breathing and drew straws over who would take shifts to practice next to him and encourage him to breath occasionally. If this is true, I appreciate the thought yogis. I promise to try hard to breath and not die in recognition of your efforts.
Whatever it is, I'll keep working on it and we'll see how it goes in future classes.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Class #38 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
I stayed up way too late after the superbowl. If this had been a 9:30 class there is no way I would have made it. 10:30 was doable with only a few yawns holding me back. Despite yoga mellowing me out considerably, I still get way too into sports. I am and always will be an unapologetic cubs fan since I consider it a strong part of my growing up, but there is no real good reason why I should have been so invested in the superbowl. I can't seem to let go of the medieval notion that there is some link between how well an individual or group performs and how pure of heart they may be. A mean hurtful person may very well outperform a kind and giving person at football (or even theoretically yoga if you are just observing poses). So I am happy about the outcome of the game, but worried about how much of myself was invested. Anyways, on to the class.
Good: Standing Splits Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2499 I have been a little wobbly in my balance poses lately so it was good to have one go well. I got both hands to my ankle and didn't topple over on one side. Of course I was all puffed up and full of myself when I got to the other side and nearly tipped before I was able to rebalance with a hand off to the side. I also need to get back to a frame of mind where I am inspired and not discouraged when I see full extensions of these. I am starting to wonder if Yoga Journal does not use some creative photoshopping on some of their pictures.
Bad: So I had a decent Dragon Flying Low in a recent class, but this time my dragon flew into the side of a castle and crashed. :( In several poses it seems like the fullest extension is about getting the highest or lowest. In dragon if you do that though you lose the stretch so you have to find a good edge and hang out there. I got way too low and laid there proud of myself until Kimberly came over and kindly pointed out that I wasn't really stretching anymore. Woops. Oh well, I will know better for next time and the burninating will resume.
Yummy: Especially yummy was the chanting we did at the end of class today. Kimberly printed out cool little cards with two famous phrases that have been chanted for centuries and was considerate enough to give us translations so we knew what they meant. Chanting together was pretty fun and even felt a little energizing. Additional yum from Helen who thanked me for giving her a shout out in the blog for the first yoga class she taught. Thank you ma'am for the great class and all the wonderful adjustments you have shared with us.
Til, next time!
Good: Standing Splits Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2499 I have been a little wobbly in my balance poses lately so it was good to have one go well. I got both hands to my ankle and didn't topple over on one side. Of course I was all puffed up and full of myself when I got to the other side and nearly tipped before I was able to rebalance with a hand off to the side. I also need to get back to a frame of mind where I am inspired and not discouraged when I see full extensions of these. I am starting to wonder if Yoga Journal does not use some creative photoshopping on some of their pictures.
Bad: So I had a decent Dragon Flying Low in a recent class, but this time my dragon flew into the side of a castle and crashed. :( In several poses it seems like the fullest extension is about getting the highest or lowest. In dragon if you do that though you lose the stretch so you have to find a good edge and hang out there. I got way too low and laid there proud of myself until Kimberly came over and kindly pointed out that I wasn't really stretching anymore. Woops. Oh well, I will know better for next time and the burninating will resume.
Yummy: Especially yummy was the chanting we did at the end of class today. Kimberly printed out cool little cards with two famous phrases that have been chanted for centuries and was considerate enough to give us translations so we knew what they meant. Chanting together was pretty fun and even felt a little energizing. Additional yum from Helen who thanked me for giving her a shout out in the blog for the first yoga class she taught. Thank you ma'am for the great class and all the wonderful adjustments you have shared with us.
Til, next time!
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