110/111/112 out of 205/206/209: If you don't use it...I'm a wave maker

Strange title, I know. Summertime is just not the time for coherency anyway or keeping up with blogs it seems either!

Due to juicing distraction, lack of sleep and being too lazy to get up early enough in the morning - I have not been getting my stretching in like I would prefer.  I am doing a little here and there but not on any time-table or consistency.

I did some advanced postures on Sunday night - not a full advanced class  - an abridged version of postures the team felt would work for our bodies.  I can happily report that I can do 2! LOL.  My ego is not completely bruised.  No one looked more surprised than me that it was easy to get in lotus and that I have a good spider!  I always loved spiders - they eat mosquitoes!  And somehow I was doing a shoulder stand!  So those are my two optional postures.

I had a tight body class last night which isn't necessarily a bad thing but just goes to show that the stretching and staying away from dairy and coffee work but only if you work it! 

On another note, it has been a busy week at work as part of stepping down from a position on a committee.  I have never stepped down from anything in my life but it became all to clear that this position was going nowhere and doing nothing for me, not even interesting to me.  I've been busy preparing the materials for the newby.  Great to know they replaced me in like 15 minutes.  The whole experience has confirmed how easily replaced and expendable we are and how much I don't like that and yet how freeing it is at the same time.  Working on some changes for the future I believe.

Anyway, finishing up today handing off the position and there is a sense of freedom in the air.  It also became clear to me that most people at work prefer to surround themselves with people who don't make waves.  At the same time, I realized that I am a wavemaker!  Not only do I realize it, but I think now I embrace it!  So deal people. I make waves.  I'm a mover and a shaker and unless you want a wild ride and aren't completely happy and serene in the middle of chaos - then you'd best be on your way!  I am no more ashamed of my nature than the ocean is ashamed of a Hurricane.  I'm at peace with my nature and make adjustments accordingly.

109/202: Doing my homework starts to pay off

So the extra stretching I have been doing is definitely paying off in the backbending that uses gravity - half moon and camel.  I am also feeling a difference in the backbending series particularly in the thoracic region.  However the lower back and the locust posture leaves something to be desired.  Must build more strength.

I'm always a little wonky in the balancing series during the class but then the extra sets I do at the end of SH2K and standing bow are better.  BUILDING muscles in the legs, calves, ankles.  That tendency to roll out to the edge of the feet is strong with this little grasshopper and she is mindful of planting her tripod roots in the sand and growing up through the ankle!

So I am thinking of what might happen if I actually get consistent with this stretching and extra sets program.  T'INK OF IT!

The extra sets at the end of the class really aren't that hard and actually I feel really amazing after doing them.  The first posture is always the hardest but once I start working on it, I start to feel the strength of doing it.  I try each side 3 times in the SH2K and standing bow (because I fall out).  Then two sets of floor bow, rabbit and paschimottanasa.  It's a start.

108/201: 20 minutes and LOTS of stretching

I did a quick warm-up using the standing series and then did lots of stretching last night.  I've been meaning to work on that stuff for a while so it felt good to do it, but damn why is it so time consuming to start something new in your regimen???

OK - well, I'm pressed for time today.  Voice lesson tonight then class at the studio and then clean studio.  I'm looking forward to a full 90 minute HOT class tonight.

Keepin' it real peoples!

107/200:Hello!

I took the back row last night.  I'm working on "stuff" with my postures and just didn't want to be in the front row to do it.  So I came to realize that my practice last night so freaking counts!  What a difference that kind of work makes when you come back into the hot room.  I think my standing head to knee is getting better already.  I was able to try to kick out with my right leg at least.  The left which has the heel issue just wasn't having that.  Anyway, I am a good sore from all this work!

At the end, I did an extra set of SH2K, Standing Bow, Camel, Rabbit and Paschimottanasana.  I realized after that I should have done floor bow.  Oh well.  I also didn't hold them very long, but it's a start.  Baby steps always into something new.  I did some extra that's enough to start.

I went home and inhaled fruit for dinner.  Yummy blueberries from the public market with peaches and then sliced up an orange.  That was dinner!  It's all I wanted.  Then I did some singin' and it felt super good.  To have such an open body when singing just feels awesome.  What doesn't feel so awesome is getting cramps in your feet and calves when your done singing.  I guess too much standing in place right after a yoga class and PROBABLY not enough electrolyte balance in the body.  Live and learn.  I topped off the evening with a lovely hot bath with tea tree oil in it, made a few phone calls that I was procrastinating on and went off to BED!

It always amazes me how much I do in a day, but at the same time how I can't seem to do enough??? I need to fix this issue.  Not today.

106/199: Making it up as I go along

I sang first thing when I got home last night and it felt really good to sing again.  Yeah, I still got it!

Then I went and picked up my new scooter (photos to follow later) and took "Effelina" for a ride.  She's seafoam minty green.  They don't carry this particular scooter in yellow.  I am crushed by this but loving my new smooth ride.

I then puttered around looking at my yoga book and by the time I new it, I really didn't have enough time to an entire 90 minute practice at home.  I went through the standing series, savasana and wind removing pose then called it a night.  I was loose with this practice and took some time to work out the postures a little so it felt more like a techniques class than an actual practice.  But all yoga, is good yoga. :)

It's not a full class but at this point I'm not sure I'm caring about that.  I think as long as I am putting some time in with my yoga it counts as a day with yoga in it.  Who knows. I'm sick of rules. I'm making it up as I go along.

105/198: I made it!

I did a Sunday practice which I must say I'm not into these summer days especially when I'm so busy on the clearing out of my home space.  I bought a new scooter yesterday that I pick up later tonight, but it took so long at the store that I wasn't sure I would make it to the class.  I walked in late which I hate to do but was on my mat and in pranayama by the 5th breath cycle first set!  It took the the rest of the first set to get the breath under control but then the rest of the class was just really nice.  Doing my thing.  Moving meditation.  Appropriate uncomfortable sensations!  My locking leg is getting better on the right side, but the left is just taking a while. 

I felt a little full and wished I hadn't eaten lunch so late, note to self.

I stayed for the meeting about the competition coming up in October so I am glad I made it to the class and decided to come.  Mr. Doubt was saying "Who do you think you are?  You're not good enough to do this! You don't belong!" but that's not what this "competition" is about.  I just want to get better and this provides and opportunity to do that.  I also am very proud of my practice.  I have come a very, very long way from whence I started and I'm interested in how much further I can go in the next few months with a little help, attention to detail and a little extra smart tools and sweat.

I am practicing at home tonight and looking forward to a really humid practice and stretching after.

LOCK THE KNEE... and everything else in the leg.

104/195: R-Exploration

I am in to making up my own words lately.  This is a composite of Rest and Exploration.  I am exploring rest and exploration right now so this is good.  For a change, I'm actually balancing this rest thing out pretty well and don't find myself bored or restless. Three classes a week is okay for now for me and it leaves room for exploration elsewhere.  Meditation. Music. Social time.  Other physical activities though this is limited as I await word on my pesky heel problems (I finally made a Doctor's appointment and I will find out what the verdict is next week).  Most of all, the time has afforded READING.  Reading about yoga and qigong and meditation!  I will also admit that I have spent some time with entertainment and specifically watching old Moonlighting episodes and laughing and giggling like a little girl. ;)

I've toyed with worrying about whether I'm doing enough, getting enough done, and whether or not I'm losing weight and honestly it's just not worth the energy. So poo-poo on that as I saunter back to my hammock.  Everything is better with a hammock. 

I am going to just own my R-Exploration.

Class last night was nice. They are all nice lately.  Quality, not quantity - but hey that's part of my R-exploration this week.  I like my new word!