Feels Like Swimming

You know that feeling when you're swimming and you turn upside down or you breathe in wrong through your nose? Yeah, well, I've experienced that at yoga. With sweat rolling into my nose in my upside down poses.

All I can say is: gross.

It grosses me out. I'm not in a pool. I'm in a hot yoga room. But sweat should not drip into my nose!!!

It was hot yesterday. And it was even hotter in the room. Sweat dripping EVERYWHERE!

I had run 6 miles during my (long) 'lunchtime' yesterday and then went to yoga at 6pm. I was actually more stretched out than I thought I was going to be.

I love my 'double-header' days as I call them!

Awesome Day = Awesome Practice

I had an AWESOME day yesterday!

I got up really early. Met one of my favorite colleagues for a 6:45 sunrise 5 mile morning run along our glorious monuments and blooming cherry blossoms. I love sunrise runs almost more than sunset runs. Not as many people out. Feel like you have the whole city to yourself, well, along with all the photographers wanting to get good shots of the cherry blossoms!

Then, I had my annual review, which went very well including a surprisingly much higher raise than I anticipated. In fact, my boss had to put in for an exception amount for me. I couldn't get over it and was so appreciative that he went to bat for me! Yay!!!!! (I am doing a pretty good job, I must say, and he said I earned it, which is true, but still, not many bosses would actually recognize that and make a case for you, so I was very happy!).

I called my day my double header because I planned on going to yoga after work.

I had a massive headache at about 4:00 and was worried I was going to bail out. But I didn't. I knew it would be good for me, much as I didn't feel like going.

Upon arriving at the studio, I learned that someone other than the instructor I thought was teaching was going to teach. I'd never had him before (it's still shocking to me that as much as I go, there are some teachers I still haven't had).

He was AWESOME. So energetic! And gave us good direction. And was funny. And... was cute. I could have fallen in love right then. But I'm married. And happily so. And it's a yoga fantasy anyway.

Ok, I digress. Back to my awesome day which = awesome practice. It was the best I've had in awhile. Even though I couldn't do standing head to knee pose very well because I was tight from running. I still went slightly further in some other poses, which felt great.

Yay! Hope that gives some inspiration out there!

Stress in Life Has = So-So Yoga... but Still Practicing

Life has been stressful lately. It's busy time of year for me in my work cycles now (and I'm not even an accountant!) and I feel it in the room & on my mat. I went 3x last week and just felt overwhelmed and that I wasn't doing that great. And that I wanted the session to end every time (usually I just eat it all up!).

But I'm still going and still practicing, which is huge. Work is so busy that I should be spending the extra time I have working. But I know all too well how unbalanced life can feel without yoga & without exercise. So, I keep showing up. It's not pretty. And I feel wiped out on the mat. And I don't stay in my postures as long.

But I'm there. Still practicing. And proud to be doing it.

I'm also re-committing to running a 1/2 marathon in May so I'm going to need to step it up on the running which may take a bit away from the yoga... but my goal is to continue at least 3-4x/week and just work running in addition to yoga. Go me!!

Anyone else running & doing bik.ram?

Happy Birthday to Me with Bikram Yoga Today!

I have taken my birthday day off for the first time ever! And I can't wait to go to the 12pm class for the first time ever too!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I actually turn 35 today and not loving the number but whatever... I love how I feel when I do yoga and am excited to feel that aliveness today with one of my favorite energetic teachers (I usually go to her Monday at 6:15am, so maybe she'll be even more energetic at noon??)

Last week was good but didn't really feel like there was much to report. I went Tues, Thurs and Fri 6pm classes. That was good for last week.

Went further in tow stand. That one is very hard for me. I can actually barely do it and am just trying to get to touch the floor, which I can only do with my left hand... and on my tippy tip of my fingers. Progress, though, and that's good!

What a better present to myself than celebrating my life by practicing yoga today. It's going to be great! :)

Too Hot Tuesday & Looking for a Retreat

It was just too hot in the room. And I didn't eat much in the afternoon so I felt hungry & low energy. But it wasn't just me. Many people were sitting out the 2nd series.

And I was so excited because I hadn't gone all weekend (I'm more a weekday warrior than weekend warrior!) and skipped Monday morning because it was just too difficult to get up after daylight savings time changed.

So I was bummed when I had to sit out some/a lot of the 2nd series because I had been looking forward to a great workout & practice. But oh well. That's the way it goes sometimes. At least I was there. And gave it my all when I did do the poses.

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On another note, I'm looking for bik.ram retreats... anyone know of any that are in the country and on the east coast? I'm not looking to make a huge vacation out of it. My husband isn't into trying this out... (yet). So, I'm looking for a few days away somewhere. Anyone have ideas on this?

Another Friday Night Front Row & Toe Stand Furtherings

Tonight was great - but hot, really hot. So hot that I had to sit out a few of the 2nd of the poses. Our teacher finally acknowledged that it was hotter than normal at the 1/2 way point and turned it down.

It could also be that I had french fries at lunch and that this is my 2nd in 24 hrs, which I'm not used to - I usually go 36 to 48 hours in between.

Anyway, Fri night teacher sings and sings so well - like he should've been on Broadway or something. I love it. Tonight he sang "I'm leaving on a jet plane" during full locust. Many of us loved it!

And... I went further in toe stand. I basically can't do it. I have tight hips or knees or something and usually have to hold my leg and just bend over. Well, this time on the left side, I actually was able to touch my one hand to the ground! Whew! I couldnt't believe it. It's so amazing when you feel like you'll never 'get' a pose and then you start seeing small improvements. And almost every class I have a small improvement somewhere.

My standing bow pulling poses were pretty good tonight too. I think the front row spot really helps with that.

So, once again, I started out the week with a 6:15am class and ended my week with a 6pm class. Love those weeks!

She Knew My Name!

Thurs night's teacher knew my name!!! I walked up to the window to sign in and she said "Hi Cheryl!" - Yay! That felt so good.

She didn't have many Buddhist thoughts today but I still really enjoy her. She's also got great energy. Tues night's teacher does too - I really enjoyed that class too!

Tonight, we had the most yummy first timer in the room. Oh, such eye candy. It was amazing. Yum!!! I was feeling self-conscious thinking these thoughts but then Bikram Yoga Chick posted something along these lines for her motivation in this post. So, I thought I could too :)

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Update: Forgot to add that not only did this teacher recognize me and knew me but after class I went to a nearby smoothie place for my walk home and as I got up to order, the woman said "mangofest?" - she knew my drink! love it!! :)