Day 40: bring on the heat

After yesterday's 'cool' class, I wasn't taking any chances. I set my mat up right in the front row so even if the door was opened I wouldn't cool off. I shouldn't have worried. Stacy was teaching and she hardly ever opens the door. It was a good class and it felt good to feel the heat. 

Day 39: not hot enough

Today, Ife was leading the class. He has become more comfortable teaching and a little bit too easy with the door. I was positioned right in front of the door today and he opened the door not once but three times. Now, I have nothing against getting some cool air while working out in the hot room.  But the fact is I have come to rely on the heat and love it more than the occasional burst of cold air. And it wasn't even that hot in the room today. So every time Ife opened the door, the cool air not only cooled me off but if I was off the mat, it would also cool the towel off. After he closed the door, I would wait for the hot air to rush in the same way I used to wait  for the cold air before. Overall it was a good class just not hot enough. 

Day 38: day of the double

So I survived the double but just barely. I felt fine while doing the class and even then I did only one set of some of the standing series postures. However, I decided to meet a friend for lunch and also do some window shopping later. That turned out to be a bad decision. By the time I came home, I was exhausted. I took a nap for an hour in the afternoon and felt a little better but by evening, I was tired again. From now on, if I do a double, I come straight home and take rest. 

Day 38: day of the double

So I survived the double but just barely. I felt fine while doing the class and even then I did only one set of some of the standing series postures. However, I decided to meet a friend for lunch and also do some window shopping later. That turned out to be a bad decision. By the time I came home, I was exhausted. I took a nap for an hour in the afternoon and felt a little better but by evening, I was tired again. From now on, if I do a double, I come straight home and take rest.

Day 36: start of week 6

I did keep an eye on time today and reached the class with enough time to spare. It is good to know I made it halfway through with just two days when I did not want to go but still went. Today is Tuesday, the first day of my kids' summer day camp. Since I won't be able to do a class this Fri, today is the day I do a double at 10.30 and cover in advance the day I will miss. Hoping it goes well. 

Day 35: last day of week 5

Today, I did the 3.00 PM class. Almost did not want to drive all the way over to the hot room. Then I realized, after I finished, it would be the last day of week 5. Tomorrow, I could start week 6. I am glad I went because it was a good class, not too crowded and not too empty. Just right. Also, two of my friends also worked out that day, Erin and S. 
Erin has decided to try and finish her 60-day challenge. Carmen at the front desk worked out a schedule for her and this weekend she did two doubles. I am happy she decided to come back and I hope she gets the benefits of the yoga. 
My other friend S was the one who tried a free class two weeks ago. Her first class was tough but she felt good afterwards and even into the next day. Right now with her schedule she says she can only do the weekend classes but I am hoping she gets the maximum benefit by doing at least three to four classes. 

Day 34: Overcrowded

I always forget that Sat morning class can get crowded and reach as usual ten minutes before the class is about to start. Today, it was more crowded than usual or at least it seemed like it, probably because of lack of lines on the new carpet. While the first row had no problem positioning themselves in a straight line, it got chaotic from there after. Everybody just grabbed a spot of their choosing with no regards to line spacing. By the time I reached, it was difficult to find a decent space between two people without bumping into the third yogi behind. I found my preferred space, right in front of the instructor's pedestal but I was so wedged between two other yoginis, about three inches apart.  Lesson learnt: reach early on Saturday. 

Day 33: Reluctance

For the first day since I started the challenge I didn't feel like getting up when the alarm rang. I got up anyway and got ready to be at the studio. I drove a little reluctantly to the studio and even told Jamie before the class that I wasn't feeling too good and may sit through the class for a while. 
He had said before I left that I needed a break from the routine and I think he is right. We agreed that I should get a few doubles in so on days I don't feel like going I can stay home. Maybe I will try one tomorrow. 
Back in the class, the feeling of reluctance disappeared after a while and I had a good class. I credit standing bow and camel pose with that.

Day 32: Eugene again

Day 32: Eugene again

It is always a good class when Eugene leads. Today was no exception except I felt breathless for some reason when we started the floor series. I had to stay on my back during one airplane pose and felt better for it. 
It was still a good class and I was glad to have made it another day in the challenge. 

Day 31: Iffe takes the lead

I reached class with five minutes to spare and was greeted behind the counter by Iffe. He has returned from teacher training a couple of weeks ago but he lead the class like he has been teaching for months. 
Two days ago I had pulled a muscle while coming out of the triangle pose. It was the new carpet which is good and supposed to be non-skid. But it is so smooth, there is no grip for the toes, especially when the legs are far apart and your upper body is coming out of the big gap triangle it formed just a few seconds ago. 
I did only one small set of triangle yesterday and I felt fine today. Was careful coming out of triangle though.

Day 30: halfway through the challenge

It was good to once more work out at the old studio, with the new carpet, not to mention I am done halfway through the challenge. I feel good physically and still don't feel a reluctance to get up at 4AM. I have occasional sprains once in a while bit nothing that a couple of motrins and some rest won't cure. I also don't feel sleepy or tired early in the morning. In fact, I feel good overall. Let's hope the streak continues for the rest of the 30 days. 

Day 29: a popsicle surprise

It was Eugene's turn to teach again. He is so particular about letting the more experienced students be in the front row so they can be good examples for the new students behind them. Today, Linda came very late but he made sure she got a good spot up front, even if it meant we had to scotch a bit. 
He is so passionate about this yoga that he wants everyone, no matter what level they are at, to get a good spot on the floor. Today, it was quite a crowd and he personally directed and guided the latecomers on where and how to set up their spots. 
His is probably the only class where I will myself to do all the poses and to get back in once I fall out. Needless to say, it was a productive class with free popsicles after the class for everyone. It was a good finish to an excellent class.  

Day 28: old vs new

I do like the new studio. It is spacious, airy and filled with light. There are separate bathrooms and showers for men and women.  But somehow I like the old studio better. It is cozier with the narrow corridors and common bathrooms. The new one is good for a change but I prefer the old one for my routine. 

Day 27: Eugene and the new studio

It was good to work out at the new studio not only because it is indoors but it is an awesome space.  It was good to be sweating again and looking at yourself in the mirror while holding a pose. The locker rooms are really nice, with separate bathrooms and showers for men and women. The icing on the cake was Eugene teaching the class. He is one of the best instructors out there. He teaches every class with so much passion and patience, you want to do every pose to the best of your ability and not disappoint him. It was worth driving down 40 mins and be taught by Eugene. 

Day 26: yoga by the lake

It was a beautiful setting to do yoga, calm lapping waters of the lake, clear blue skies with white, fluffy clouds and chirping birds. We had set up our mats in a shaded spot under the tree and waiting for Suzann. She showed up in a boat, put on her scuba gear and flipped in the water to swim ashore. It was quote the show and we all cheered and clapped as she took big strides in her flippers and started us on pranayama breathing.  It was a fun class but not very productive for me. I was distracted by the ants butting me, the uneven surface and the lack of sweat and absence of mirrors. 
Tomorrow, I go to the Arlington studio for the 8.00 AM morning class

Day 25: the ultra runner

Today Stacy asked everyone who entered if we would mind being in a NBC film. Apparently, a news cameraman was coming to video tape one of the girls in the class who is an ultra runner.  She told me later that she does Bikram to supplement and support her running. And she doesn't run just a few miles. As an ultra runner, she runs 100+ miles in the races. Currently she is preparing for a 135 mile run and NBC was doing a piece on her. 
Tomorrow, the studio closes but we got a special classes by the lake at 4.30 and I am hoping to make it.  It will be interesting to find out how we all do in natural surroundings that are not controlled. 

Day 24: Erin drops out

Haven't updated regularly two days in a row. Got busy with chores but here I am, writing at 4.30 in the morning while I drink my tea. I have to get going in a few so this will be another quick post. 
Erin hasn't been coming regularly for a few days. She tore a muscle a last week and it still hasn't healed. Yesterday she left a message saying she is taking a break for a few days to let the muscle heal completely and then she will start anew from next week. I hope she gets better soon. 

Day 23: weight loss and muscle mass

Today Jorina confirmed what some other girls told me in the locker room. My slight weight gain is due to muscle mass. She also told me not to obsess over t he fluctuations in the weighing scale but to concentrate on how I feel and how my clothes fit. And she is right, this yoga  does tone you and makes you lean. 
Now if I can only get my muffing top under control...

Day 22: closing in on the mini challenge

Another week begins. Once I am done with this week, I will have finished the mini challenge. This will be a tough week since the studio will be closed for four days and I will have to go to a sister studio, about 40 mins away. The good thing is it is a long weekend so I don't have to hurry back home. 
I am bracing myself to do at least two doubles so I can stay ahead of the curve. I think next weekend I may attempt to do one. 
On physical front, I feel a little cramp in my left thigh today. Hoping it will go away by the end of the day. More tomorrow.

Day 21: end of week 3

Today, it was as hot outside as it was inside the yoga room. I found a good spot in the front row and the temperature went up a few degrees higher. But, it was a good class and did not feel as hot and humid as yesterday. Minh's energy and enthusiasm also helped. 
It is three weeks since I started the challenge. Don't see a lot of changes in my body and if anything I may have put on a pound or two but I am being assured by fellow yoginis that it is muscle mass. Let's hope so. 
Today, I had a friend come in to try a free class. She had to sit through most of the standing series but she made it through the end of the class. Which is what counts, to stay in the room for the first class. She wants to come back and try the yoga for a month. I wish her all the best.