Last week, I went to a Yoga II class at a studio called 5 Elements. I've been practicing mostly at home, using videos, TV shows, and my limited knowledge, so going to a class was something I'd been wanting. Part of the joy of yoga, to me, is the chance to turn my mind off for awhile. I like to do yoga with my eyes closed as much as possible, and having to watch the video or the TV limits my ability to do this. Going to a class gives me the chance to just follow the words of the instructor, not having to think about what to do next, if I'm doing it correctly, or what I should do during the commercials. The instructor is there to correct me when my form is off and push me to challenge myself.
This studio's instructor is focused on aruveydic medicine, an ancient, Indian health system, which is too complex for me to find a way to explain it in a few words here. There's more info on this on the weblink already posted, so if you're interested, I'd suggest reading more there. We began the class seated on our mats, listening to our instructor discuss her recent experience at a yoga workshop led by her teacher. We leared a sanskrit mantra, which is much like a prayer that's sung. She gave us a sheet of paper containing the words, and we learned by call and response. Once we had practiced, we sang it through three times. The chant was intended to provide a sense of courage and protection, as we were reminded that living an examined and compassionate life devoted to love (as yogis are reminded to try to do) can be lonely and challenging.
After our chant, we moved into asanas (poses). As this was an advanced class, the poses were sometimes difficult. We worked on Sun Salutations, Warrior I, II, and III. We did Extended Side Angle, Revolved Triangle, Inverted Splits, and Half-Moon. As we sweat and our muscles trembled, there was a bit of grumbling, a bit of groaning, and instead of encouraging us to rest if we were tired, our instructor encouraged us to give thanks to the muscles in our legs for continuing to hold us up. "You are stronger than you know," she said. As she moved us into Half-Moon, we grumbled more. She reminded us that we were in a season of transition, moving through spring into summer. "This is the time of year to make changes in your life," she taught. "As you practice, take time to do at least one pose that you hate, that is difficult for you. Then, follow it with your favorite pose, the one that gives you confidence. This is the kind of balance to strive for now. If you love getting massages, get one in the next few weeks -- do something you love. Then, if you fight often with your mother, make sure you work on that, too. Find the balance -- work to strengthen your weakness and tend to your passions."
We finished class with pranayama (focus on breath/breathing) and a nice, long savasana. She offered us a healing essential oil to rejuvinate us and a selection of teas to drink as we ventured home. She offered us recipes for seasonal nourishment which we were to "create, eat, and share with love." I left with my muscles quivering, by my spirit warmed.
When I got home, I felt quiet. Todd was making dinner, so I was helping, putting dishes in the dishwasher, slicing a cucumber, washing the cutting board. "How was practice?" he asked. "I feel kind of strange," I said, some intangible emotion bubbling under the surface. "Are you okay? You look like you're going to cry," he said. And then I did. I started crying without knowing at all why.
It wasn't really a sad crying, nor was it a happy crying. It wasn't an exhaused crying or a hormonal crying. I'm still not sure what it was. When I seached "crying after yoga" online, I found that it's pretty common. Yoga works to connect the mind and the body, so if the mind is hanging on to an emotion that isn't expressed, we theoretically "store" it somewhere in the body. After a rigerous practice, emotions are released as the muscles open.
So often I think of the mind-body connection as being one dominated by the mind. If I'm stressed out, I get sick. If I'm nervous, my stomach gets sick. Rarely have I know it to be the other way around -- if my body opens, my mind does, too. But I saw that connection last week, and I've been trying to keep that knowledge with me. My resistance or dread for ANOTHER day of yoga comes from my body as much as my mind, and the challenge comes from remembering that the two are always connected. It might not sound as surprising or as monumental as it felt, but it was a big breakthrough for me. Thank you yoga and Juliet Trnka (instructor).
Namaste.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Its a Celebration! (by nikki)
Its a celebration my ass! I'm half kidding. I do love, at the end of yoga practice the honor paid to one's body, to one's spirit, to one's energy. Celebrating the time spent in practice, celebrating your body and your abilities. I am exceedingly blessed to have a body that moves, that is healthy, that can accept this yoga challenge and perform.
HOWEVER, I seriously thought I was going to pass out and/or vomit today. I may have even puked a little in my mouth! I attended a Hot Yoga Flow class. I went to the same class last Wednesday and it was hard. Super duper hard. I couldn't do everything, I had to take breaks when no one else did. Today, I was nervous to go, but I feel like I am stronger, I was feeling positive that I would do better today, that it might just suck a little less this time. Because the first time, the first class is the hardest, right? Not always. Today, I had to step out of the room. I have never done that before. Leading up to that, I was taking breaks, I wasn't able to do everything, I was trying, but my focus wasn't there, I was stumbling, I wasn't strong. Although, at the beginning I did do better than last week. But, it didn't last. So, I feel sort of defeated. I feel embarassed. I was that guy in class who couldn't do it. I know it was difficult for everyone, but when I had to break, I was the only one. I'm sure I wasn't, all the time - but it sure felt like it.
So - it really was a celebration . . . when it was OVER. But, also a celebration of day 10 of the yoga challenge. A celebration of my commitment to myself and my body and to my friend!
The Hot Flow and Hot Bikram are 90 minute classes practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees. It helps your muscles go deeper and allows you to hold poses longer than you may be able to otherwise. They are also very regimented . . . its the same class , well, the same moves - each time. This is is great because your muscles remember and you are able to see results, fast. They are beginner level classes, but they are hard. The heat can be oppressive at times, the sweat makes the mat slippery, you can't hang on as well, your face is dripping, your hair is crazy, your face is red and your head is thumping. But, afterwards, it feels like you just had a sauna and a massage!
Its only through pushing to your edge do you improve. I just wish I could have done more tonight.
Next time!
HOWEVER, I seriously thought I was going to pass out and/or vomit today. I may have even puked a little in my mouth! I attended a Hot Yoga Flow class. I went to the same class last Wednesday and it was hard. Super duper hard. I couldn't do everything, I had to take breaks when no one else did. Today, I was nervous to go, but I feel like I am stronger, I was feeling positive that I would do better today, that it might just suck a little less this time. Because the first time, the first class is the hardest, right? Not always. Today, I had to step out of the room. I have never done that before. Leading up to that, I was taking breaks, I wasn't able to do everything, I was trying, but my focus wasn't there, I was stumbling, I wasn't strong. Although, at the beginning I did do better than last week. But, it didn't last. So, I feel sort of defeated. I feel embarassed. I was that guy in class who couldn't do it. I know it was difficult for everyone, but when I had to break, I was the only one. I'm sure I wasn't, all the time - but it sure felt like it.
So - it really was a celebration . . . when it was OVER. But, also a celebration of day 10 of the yoga challenge. A celebration of my commitment to myself and my body and to my friend!
The Hot Flow and Hot Bikram are 90 minute classes practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees. It helps your muscles go deeper and allows you to hold poses longer than you may be able to otherwise. They are also very regimented . . . its the same class , well, the same moves - each time. This is is great because your muscles remember and you are able to see results, fast. They are beginner level classes, but they are hard. The heat can be oppressive at times, the sweat makes the mat slippery, you can't hang on as well, your face is dripping, your hair is crazy, your face is red and your head is thumping. But, afterwards, it feels like you just had a sauna and a massage!
Its only through pushing to your edge do you improve. I just wish I could have done more tonight.
Next time!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Breath is the only thing of which you have control
Crystal likes to blame me for things!! Ha ha!! Its true, I am always coming up with ways to make grandiose sweeping changes to my life in the hopes that it will help me loose a few pounds (try 25!) or help me sleep better or make my skin nicer or keep my mind and hands occupied. But rarely do I ever follow that idea through to the end. In fact, the only time I can think that I actually did was when I finished the Portland Marathon in 2003. Holy crap - that was 7 years ago! So, that fated email I sent about the 60 day yoga challenge was really just one of many great ideas that never really come to fruition. When Crystal came back with “I have thought about and decided that I want to do the 60 day Yoga Challenge” I was all “OH – YEAH, I had kind of forgotten about that”!! You see, I usually don’t really tell anyone about my schemes, because that way if I don’t end up accomplishing it – no one asks me about it later! Of course, that makes it all too easy for me put it off, or make excuses or just stop completely! But, we have made this one public – so there is no escaping it now.
So- we are exactly one week into the 8 week yoga challenge and we’re doing really well! Looks like Crystal has shared some of her accomplishments this last week – way to go!!! I went to 5 different 60min+ yoga classes last week and did one 15 min practice on my own with a DVD and then a 50min. practice at home with a DVD as well. Last Monday I was kind of freaking out about this challenge . . How could I keep this up for 60 days- How was I going to make it to a class every day, how was I going to pay for it all, how would we jockey the dog so he wouldn't be alone for too long, what was I going to wear everyday, what if I couldn't make it through a class, what if I wasn't strong enough to do the positions, would I be the biggest person in class, won't other people be judging me, I've never blogged before, I don't know that I want to tell the world what I am doing . . . and I hadn’t even made it through one day! But now, its feeling more manageable. I have a tendency to become paralyzed by thinking about all the things that could get in the way of making it to my goal, so this has been an exercise in dealing with that negative self talk as well. Every day that I do what I set out to do- the more empowered I feel that , indeed, I can do it. It’s a vicious circle, but in a good way!
Here are a few of my experiences/observations from this past 7 days . . .
· Don’t eat Thai food for lunch and attend a hot class 5 hrs later
· Kitties and puppies are NOT good yoga partners – although they are VERY curious about it
· I thought I would do the Hot classes 4 days a week – but its looking more like 2 days
a week – hopefully as I get stronger I can increase that
· Don’t stand next to the thermostat – at one point in my Hot Flow class it was 107
degrees!
· During practice - it can suck, royally . . . bu I soon forget about that afterwards and
am just proud I made it through another day
- Sometimes downward facing dog is a rest position
- I gotta get my mind off the clock DURING practice . . . Suggestions?
Oh and to set the record straight . . . I don't watch Oprah either, but I sought out the article about one women's 60 day Bikram yoga challenge after my yoga instructor asked if we had read it. Not that I have a problem with Oprah, I have far far far worse TV addictions than that . . . but that is another story.
namaste
So- we are exactly one week into the 8 week yoga challenge and we’re doing really well! Looks like Crystal has shared some of her accomplishments this last week – way to go!!! I went to 5 different 60min+ yoga classes last week and did one 15 min practice on my own with a DVD and then a 50min. practice at home with a DVD as well. Last Monday I was kind of freaking out about this challenge . . How could I keep this up for 60 days- How was I going to make it to a class every day, how was I going to pay for it all, how would we jockey the dog so he wouldn't be alone for too long, what was I going to wear everyday, what if I couldn't make it through a class, what if I wasn't strong enough to do the positions, would I be the biggest person in class, won't other people be judging me, I've never blogged before, I don't know that I want to tell the world what I am doing . . . and I hadn’t even made it through one day! But now, its feeling more manageable. I have a tendency to become paralyzed by thinking about all the things that could get in the way of making it to my goal, so this has been an exercise in dealing with that negative self talk as well. Every day that I do what I set out to do- the more empowered I feel that , indeed, I can do it. It’s a vicious circle, but in a good way!
Here are a few of my experiences/observations from this past 7 days . . .
· Don’t eat Thai food for lunch and attend a hot class 5 hrs later
· Kitties and puppies are NOT good yoga partners – although they are VERY curious about it
· I thought I would do the Hot classes 4 days a week – but its looking more like 2 days
a week – hopefully as I get stronger I can increase that
· Don’t stand next to the thermostat – at one point in my Hot Flow class it was 107
degrees!
· During practice - it can suck, royally . . . bu I soon forget about that afterwards and
am just proud I made it through another day
- Sometimes downward facing dog is a rest position
- I gotta get my mind off the clock DURING practice . . . Suggestions?
Oh and to set the record straight . . . I don't watch Oprah either, but I sought out the article about one women's 60 day Bikram yoga challenge after my yoga instructor asked if we had read it. Not that I have a problem with Oprah, I have far far far worse TV addictions than that . . . but that is another story.
namaste
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Challenge! (by Crystal)
I'm not sure what started this, but I know who started it. Nikki. Nikki is devoted to shaping herself into a healthier person, and she knew I was looking for a hobby. She probably also knows that I should be devoted into making myself a healthier person.
One day, I received an email asking if I would be interested in doing a 60-day yoga challenge like the one she saw on Oprah. I didn't watch Oprah or read the link she sent, but I agreed to it anyway. I love yoga, and I feel better when I make a habit of doing it. I thought -- 60 days of yoga? Sure. I can do that.
Nikki has been going to classes, and I'll let her tell you all about them. I set up a studio at my house, and will be mixing in a few classes here and there. I have a less-predictable schedule than Nikki, so being able to set myself up at home made this process more do-able. I intend on posting pictures of my studio and reviews of some of the at-home practices I've been doing in the near future.
Our rules are as follows:
- do yoga (any style, any level) for 45 minutes at least 6 days a week.
- do yoga (any style, any level) for 15 minutes no more than once a week.
The rules are basic, but the committment, one week into it, is surely a challenge!
I've done mainly Ashtanga flow classes thus far. I threw in a neat Kundalini class the other morning, and this morning, I found I was able to guide myself, in silence, through a complete 45 minute practice that actually had me sweating! I'm not sure I intend on changing my WHOLE life through the challenge (as Oprah's blogger wanted), but a daily devotion to my body and breath just might have that kind of result.
On the blog, Nikki and I will be posting our observations, experiences, challenges, successes, and perspectives on all things 60-day, yoga, and challenge related.
Remember, breath is life. Namaste.
One day, I received an email asking if I would be interested in doing a 60-day yoga challenge like the one she saw on Oprah. I didn't watch Oprah or read the link she sent, but I agreed to it anyway. I love yoga, and I feel better when I make a habit of doing it. I thought -- 60 days of yoga? Sure. I can do that.
Nikki has been going to classes, and I'll let her tell you all about them. I set up a studio at my house, and will be mixing in a few classes here and there. I have a less-predictable schedule than Nikki, so being able to set myself up at home made this process more do-able. I intend on posting pictures of my studio and reviews of some of the at-home practices I've been doing in the near future.
Our rules are as follows:
- do yoga (any style, any level) for 45 minutes at least 6 days a week.
- do yoga (any style, any level) for 15 minutes no more than once a week.
The rules are basic, but the committment, one week into it, is surely a challenge!
I've done mainly Ashtanga flow classes thus far. I threw in a neat Kundalini class the other morning, and this morning, I found I was able to guide myself, in silence, through a complete 45 minute practice that actually had me sweating! I'm not sure I intend on changing my WHOLE life through the challenge (as Oprah's blogger wanted), but a daily devotion to my body and breath just might have that kind of result.
On the blog, Nikki and I will be posting our observations, experiences, challenges, successes, and perspectives on all things 60-day, yoga, and challenge related.
Remember, breath is life. Namaste.
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