Day 29 of the 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge

 I was looking forward to my practice today. I got to the studio quite early so I wasn’t harassed. I didn’t know who our teacher would be and at this point I didn’t care. If the class was going to be hard then I welcome it because it’s my 2^nd to the last day.

Omar was there eating his banana so I assumed that he would be teaching but then Ginger and Rina arrived and Ginger said she was teaching. I was looking forward to class because I knew that Omar and Rina’s energy would help us in our practice.

To be honest, I was quite surprised that Ginger was nice because she kept on opening the door and windows. Because of the rainy weather, the room was cold and since it was so early it was harder to sweat. Today was probably one day that I wouldn’t have minded the heat. I really was into my practice this morning. I admit that I was getting distracted a bit by someone constantly burping next to me but I just told myself to zone in on myself so that I wouldn’t get affected by others.

Because I had my physical therapy yesterday, my back muscles were more relaxed (still stiff but better than yesterday). I was able to go deeper into backbends and I felt that my legs were able to go higher in bow. I can feel my shoulders loosening up so I’m able to make them move more.

I can’t believe that it’s almost over. Just one more class to go then it’s time for our party. I am excited to celebrate. I know we all deserve it =)

Day 30 coming up!

Day 28 of the 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge

I woke up bright and early for my first day back after a 4 day leave and I was about to leave quite early when I couldn’t find the car keys. The helpers left to do their market and I couldn’t get thru to my driver’s mobile phone. I had to wake my hubby up to ask where the other set of keys were. I had a pretty rough start this morning.

I got to the studio a bit later than usual and chit chatted with the girls for a bit. Omar was our teacher this morning and the weather has been cold and wet so I didn’t mind that he didn’t open the doors much because my body needed heat! I was so stiff from having a break for too long and my concentration was a bit off.

I was right to have been wary of leaving for so long because I felt it in my practice. My muscles were tight and all the playing with the kids actually made me bend the wrong way one time so my back was tighter than it was before I left. I wasn’t panting in class but I felt the difference in my practice.

I hate to admit this but my body was craving for a double. I wanted to do a double so bad because in my head I knew that my second practice would mean that I was more flexible and that I wouldn’t struggle so much in getting into the postures. I was supposed to attend the 4pm class but hubby wanted me to go with him somewhere. I only have 2 more to go but I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a double tom and I’d still go to class on Saturday of course. I never thought that I’d like doing doubles but my mind and body really is wanting and craving for one. How odd. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d be longing for one. This challenge has definitely changed me and this is a testament of just how far I’ve grown and adapted into this practice in less than a month. I’m excited for my practice tom.

Day 29 and maybe 30 coming up tom =)

Day 27 of the 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge

Ginger decided to have a 6am class just for this saturday so that people who need to catch up can do so this week. I wasn't supposed to take this class but since I had a chiropractor session this morning I opted for this  instead of the 3pm. 

Ginger told us that she would give us an easy class because it was early and it was a weekend. She was very lenient today so I decided to try harder because we had more recovery time in between postures. I had  a massage yesterday and it helped me a bit because my muscles were a bit more loose except for the ones in my shoulders so it was easier for me to open up in the postures. 

The energy in the room was relaxed and I felt no tension until Ginger decided to share a story about what my friend did. I was so shocked at what he did and how he name dropped me that I definitely had a renewed surge of energy afterwards. I couldn't help thinking--"Oh my gosh, I can't believe he said that!". Of course the whole class was laughing at the story but I really couldn't fathom how my friend could have misinterpreted my stories and hung me out to dry like that. After that story, my locust and bow were so high because of the surge of energy that I felt. 

What my friend did really was funny but quite embarrassing for me. Thank goodness that he's such a good friend of mine or else I think I would've given him a hard time after. Did this instance affect my practice? Of course! It made me do better because it absolutely woke me up! At least something good came out of it ;s

We all finished the class in pretty high spirits. I went to the chiropractor after and he said that I didn't have scoliosis based on my x-ray but I do have a slight curvature. I'm hoping that I respond well to his treatments because I want my spine to get better. I need it to get better!

Just a few hours ago it hit me that I wouldn't be able to do Bikram for 4 days and I really got tempted to do a double just for the heck of it because I'd miss it. Wow! I never thought I'd feel that way before. I always said that I wouldn't do a double if I didn't need to but now I'm wanting to do it just because. Hhmmmm.....I guess this challenge hasn't only changed my body but also my mind. I truly am so glad that I joined this challenge. It opened up so many things for me to experience. 

I'm a bit nervous about taking such a long break but Omar said that I'd come back strong so that's what I'm looking forward to.

Day 26 of the 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge

I have been really busy this month because of work, in-laws and other family obligations that's why I've been taking the 6am class so often. This day was no different. I set my alarm for 5am then got right out of bed after my alarm rung to get ready for class. By 5:40, I was in the studio laying my mat in my favorite spot. 

I was still tired from yesterday's double but I was also excited because I only had this day and saturday then I get to take a break for 4 days before I go back to the hot room on thurs next week. Rina hardly opened the doors and windows but I honestly didn't mind. It was so early and the room's temperature was just right. I was still sweating like anything inspite of the lack of heat--I'd like to think that this was because of the effort that I exert in my practice =)

I kicked out on the second part of standing head to knee and I noticed that I find it easier to touch my forehead to my knee on my right side. I can actually stay in the pose and get out of it the right way unlike my left side. I have a harder time touching my forehead to my knee there so I usually fall out on that side. I'm happy and thankful that I can do this pose inspite of lack of practice since I have only done this once before after I got injured. Overall, I had a good practice. My standing bows have been steadily improving as well. I feel the differences in my postures, the little adjustments that I have been able to make because of this challenge and I'm excited to unlock more things to make me go deeper in my postures. 

Day 27 coming up tomorrow!

Day 24 & Day 25 of the 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge

I took the 6am class for my Day 24 and the 4pm class for my Day 25. Rina was our teacher for both classes. In the morning, my energy level was quite low and I struggled with my water intake. I didn't drink much but I kept on wanting to drink most of the time. I was a bit mentally absent, my mind has been getting more and more restless lately so when I finished my practice I felt like I was in a daze.

Lea and I agreed to go to the 4pm class. I was a bit undecided about going into the room at such a hot hour but when my friend told me that he'd join me, I was left with no choice but to accompany him. The room was once again HOT! My friend couldn't stop panting and drinking beside me because of the heat. I actually got surprised that I was able to withstand the heat with not much resistance from my brain. I stood my ground in the postures and since my body was so much more flexible then, I had an easy time going into the postures. I was fueled by a sudden determination to stay in the postures for the entire time and I was successful about 98% of the time. I think that I was staying strong so that my friend wouldn't completely break down beside me. I wanted to give some of my energy to him and to help him finish the class.

I did drink a lot when we got to the floor series and I only started getting irritated by the heat when the sun was already creeping on my left side. The room was hot enough without its direct rays so having it so near me was torturous. I did survive my last double for the challenge and I loved it!

After the class, I did feel proud to have finished 7 doubles. I thought it was never going to happen last week but just like that and it was over! I feel quite contented =)

Day 26 coming up tom!

Day 23 of the 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge

I took my 23rd day yesterday morning and Rina was our teacher. I don't know why but I had a hard time in class. It wasn't hot because it was 6am but I was sweating as if it was a 4pm class. Let this be known that Rina is often mistaken by people as someone who gives easy classes but the truth is she holds the postures almost or even as long as Ginger. The only difference with the two is that Rina allows us to have more air circulation by opening the doors and windows.
Yesterday, I really noticed and felt how my thigh muscles were struggling to do the leg work. I guess locking your knees for how many consecutive times can also really take its toll on one's body. I struggled physically with the class because I found myself trying to exert so much more effort just to try to get myself balanced in the postures(for both standing and floor series).
I finished the class tired also because I lacked sleep. Later that day, I went to see Dr. Camara. He's a very well recommended chiropractor and when he checked my spine he told me that I had scoliosis and that my old injury in my lumbar area is still not better as well as my middle spine. He pressed those parts with his fingers and my toes really curled up from the pain! The good thing about him is that he said I don't have anything that cannot be fixed. He told me that I could still do yoga and I can continue with cardio and plyometrics once he has fixed my alignment because it would be counter productive to strengthen my body when I'm not aligned yet.
I liked him instantly when he didn't tell me to stop what I'm doing. Instead, he found ways for him to be able to help me continue what I was doing(yoga of course). I'm crossing my fingers and praying that he'd really be the help I need to conquer my back problems.
Day 24 coming up!

Day 20, 21 & 22 of the 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge

I was a bit busy yesterday so I wasn't able to write about my 20th day. I went to the 6am class and Omar was still able to give us a much needed breather. The good thing about the 6am class is that it's still a bit cool so I didn't really have to battle with the heat. I just had to stay focused and be in the moment. My shoulders are still a bit sore from my massages so that was what I had to work with but my body was ok and my mind was also ok yesterday, not so weak and not so strong.
For today, I did my 6th double for my 21st & 22nd classes. In the morning, I was feeling really tired but I decided to challenge myself. I knew that Omar wasn't going to make us hold the postures long so I made it a point to do better while I was in the postures. I kicked my leg out for the first time since my injury in standing head to knee and I was surprised that I was able to do the full expression and I didn't fall out when I was doing my right leg. It gave me such a boost of confidence even if I fell out of the left side. I couldn't believe that weeks of actually holding back has done me some good. My standing leg was more stable since I was able to form the habit of really locking my knees. I finished my morning practice tired but happy.
For the afternoon class, 4pm, I was dreading the heat! I think my memory of my 4pm class last week still had its lingering effects on me. I was quite surprised tho that I wasn't so bothered by the heat this time(of course this could also be because Omar opened the door and windows more than Ginger last week). My thirst was the nagging thing I was fighting with and yes I did drink about 4 or 5 times in class but at least I had a pretty strong and calm mind. I was in high spirits after the class and I only have one more double class to go! woohoo!
This has been quite a journey and I can't wait to see how I'll feel on the last day.
Day 23 coming up tomorrow!