30 and still standing

Class Thirty of Thirty

(9.30am, 30th June, taught by Nicky)

I DID IT! 30 classes in 30 days. I was worried about the last class, I have had a couple of really good classes and I wanted to go out on a high note - and guess what, I did. There were a group of us in the front row all on our last class so the energy was up and the yoga flowed!

Got through all of the postures and was able to focus my attention in on my breathing and managed to keep in that zone for almost all of the class.

Followed the class with a class of advanced - more of a giggle really. Half of the series requires flexibility beyond mine (at the moment) and the other half I just can't work out which limb is going where!!! I enjoy advanced but more because of the good craic rather than my ability to do any of it!

I am going to take a couple of days off before going back into the pit. I will be doing the fun class down at Watermead Park. I also plan to write an epilogue to this blog... (does that make it an 'Epiblog'?) to look at what I have learnt over the past month. But for now I know it is short but I am off to lie down! (Not in savasana, just a simple lie down!!!)

Kapalbhati in Vajrasana

Class Twenty-Nine of Thirty

(7.45pm, 29th June, taught by Harbinder)

OH WHAT A NIGHT! I think it is fair to say this was probably the best class of the thirty days! Thank you so much Harbinder and fellow Bikram-Bunnies!!! The energy was up, the room was hot and humid as it was the last class of the day (but there were a couple of very welcome door open moments), the dialogue had momentum but wasn't rushed and the yoga just flowed! I think the Posture Clinic must have started to sink in and the effects of very nearly thirty days in the pit have started to show themselves. Unlike yesterday where I overdid it in the first part of the series and felt like I was practicing in someone else's body today I was there in the room, I managed to pace myself, my breathing was pretty much under control, there was no drama between poses, just refocus or savasana, and I only needed to stand out of one set of Triangle (didn't want to over do it... honesty in my practice!). I am still on a high! I just hope that tomorrow's class is as good. The 9.30 class is my number 30 and then I am 'treating' myself to an hour and a half of Advanced!!!! I am looking forward to it but it will mean that the show is over... still as Alice said tonight as I was leaving... it doesn't mean I can't still come in most days! Having said that I am quite looking forward to a few days off to let me body chill for a while and I can spend a little time up the allotment!

So today is about Kapalbhati breathing. What can I say? This is always nice as it means that within a couple of minutes time I will be able to have a drink and a lie down! There are days when it can be more hard work than others. I think that my training in music as a kid helps - my diaphragm is still fairly toned! I know that I am getting it right when I get light headed and have an odd metallic taste in my mouth... though at first I was a little worried about this effect! The other thing that makes me laugh, and was pointed out at the Posture Clinic - all the other postures/exercises are about sucking the belly in, holding it, not letting it hang out... then there is this and the dialogue demands that the belly is relaxed... BLISS!

The last bit of Science:

'This exercise strengthens all of the abdominal organs and increases circulation. It also makes the abdominal wall strong and trims the waistline' (Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class, Bikram Choudhury)

Well off for some Savasana... Tomorrow will be about the class itself and a look back over the roller-coaster ride I have been on over the last 30 days.

Only 1 to go... so nearly there!!!

Ardha-Matsyendrasana

Class Twenty-Eight of Thirty

(7.15pm, 28th June, taught by Rachel)

Apparently football is a game of two halves... well so is Yoga! What a class tonight. The standing series was mad. It was like someone else (who knew what they were doing) was practicing in my body!! My stomach was sucked in, my breathing was slow and measured, my form was firm. I had one expression of Standing Bow Pulling Pose where I went deeper and stronger than I have ever done before... there is a bit in the dialogue that talks about who when you get deep into the posture you pull and kick so hard you can balance there forever and I had a glimpse of what was meant. There was a balance and equal and opposite forces pulling in opposite directions... it was lovely! In contrast the floor series started well and then I just spun-out. I got into the first expression of Locust and I think I had my arms/hands in the wrong place and I lost feeling in my hands and with that I just started to go into spasm in my hands, my breathing went and then it was show over and I had to retire to the door. However I got back in for the second expression of Camel. (I was given an amazing mantra at Posture Clinic about this posture... As you will know if you have read this blog I like backward bends... Camel is just a backward bend... All of a sudden it isn't scary... The mind is an amazing thing and you can convince yourself of anything... maybe in the next 30 day challenge I will be blogging about how much I love that posture!) Now I could get disheartened that the class had a glitch in the middle, but you know what, I am not going to! I am going to concentrate on just how wonderful the standing series felt and hope that I can plug back into that feeling again some time soon and have it last for longer!

So today is about Spine Twisting Pose. I like this one... mainly as it is the last one of the series and I know that I will be released from the pit soon! Occasionally I get a bit of pain in my elbows in this if I have over-strained in Camel, but on the whole I like the way this makes me feel and feeling each vertebra twisting. I have been told I need to concentrate on keeping my shoulders level, which apparently is down to where my knees are - don't you just love how Yoga is so interconnected and where your knees are affects your shoulder alignment! The other thing I need to make sure I do is to stretch up and lengthen my spine... if I slouch I can't twist right around to get my face in profile in the mirror.

OK some science...

• This increases circulation and nutrition to the spinal nerves, veins and tissues
• This improves spinal flexibility [no surprises there!!!]
• Increases flexibility in the hips
• Helps cure lumbago and spinal rheumatism
• Improves digestion and removes flatulence
• Firms the abs, thighs and bum!

OK Savasana time

Only two more to go...

(I am starting to worry I'm going to miss this!!!)

Janushirasana with Paschimotthanasana

Class Twenty-Seven of Thirty

(10am, 27th June, taught by Nicky)

Felt very achey this morning as I made my way to the studio - that is what a double plus a posture clinic does for you! I decided that I would take it easy and concentrate on my breathing. I managed to get through all of the postures with the exception of one expression of Triangle... even managed a perfectly presentable pair of camels! It was interesting being taught by Nicky... I have been taught by her once before and it was lovely to see her again. It does go to show how much impact a teacher has on the energy, speed and feel of a class. (I especially liked the line in the dialogue that went 'You can have a drink now whenever you want providing it is not when people are in a posture...' this came just after the first water break and may have been directed at a couple of people in their first class, but it was nice to hear and I only had one drink - just before fixed firm pose.)

So today is about Head to Knee Pose with Stretching Pose. Now I have to admit that this is one of the postures that does not really get my fullest effort. It is at the end of the series and to be honest I often have already mentally got up off my mat and have left the room. Today in Posture Clinic we covered the floor series and the importance of this posture was driven home. I will certainly be making more effort in future. I have found this posture difficult as my foot often slips under the out-stretched leg. Because I have long legs it can be difficult but it does come at the end of the series so should be able to pull myself into it! Then there are the stretching postures... this can be just torture... I get what I am supposed to be doing but it is just so hard... but again I promise I will try harder!

Science?

• This helps balance blood sugar levels
• Improves the flexibility of ankles, knees and hips
• Increases circulation to liver and spleen
• Works the last 5 vertebrae of the spine.

I decided I wasn't going to do the second class today. The Posture Clinic was amazing (Thanks again to Libby and Rachel and my fellow classmates) but it is such a lovely day outside I thought a few rays were in order, plus I am up to date with my classes.

Just 3 more to go!

Sasangasana

Class Twenty-Six of Thirty

(5.00pm, 26th June, taught by Libby)

That's right... the observant amongst you will see that this is the second class of the day! I pulled a double. I did the Posture Clinic (which was amazing and I may well blog about it after the 30 day challenge is over...) which was amazing - thanks to Libby and Rachel for teaching and thanks to my fellow posture clinic chums for making it a great experience and I am looking forward to the floor series tomorrow! (If you ever get the chance to do a clinic do it! It gives the opportunity to better understand each posture and the chance to ask questions.)

So I have not done a double before. It was quite an experience. I had to dig down very deep to try and keep the energy to get through it. Interestingly I have been a little dismissive of the whole re-energising thing. Guess what... I had a couple of glimpses of how it might actually re-energise! There were a couple of moments at the end of the class when I suddenly felt really strong and 'proud' in my postures - needless to say it passed quickly!

So today is about Rabbit. I have had a love/hate relationship with this posture. I am currently quite liking it. There is always the risk that you end up getting sweat up your nose and it feeling like you have just dived into a swimming pool! The one thing I don't get about this, and a fair number of the floor series, is why it is called rabbit - it doesn't look like a rabbit to me! Something I have to watch is keeping my feet/heels down onto the floor and making sure my arms lock out. I have found the key is to get my forehead onto my knee then as I move forward my head meets the floor just before my knees.

In terms of Science...

• Gives a longitudinal stretch to the spine
• Improves digestion
• May help cures colds, sinus problems and tonsillitis
• Positive effects on thyroid and parathyroid glands
• Helps children reach their full growth potential

Again, apologies for the shortness of this post but I need to go get into Savasana. Methinks I may well get very deep into this posture very quickly!

Blimey - only 4 left!

Ustrasana

Class Twenty-Five of Thirty

(10am, 26th June, taught by Rachel)

The pit seems to be getting warmer and warmer! Not sure if it is me of the fact that its beautifully warm outside. Quite a strong class but I did want to take it a little easy as I knew I had posture clinic and I didn't wanted to flake out before it! As I knew it was the standing series in the clinic today I thought I would pay particular attention to how the postures feel so I could get the most out of it. This in and of itself was interesting as I found myself more focussed on form than usual. Managed all of the postures, except one... which unfortunately was today's posture - Camel. Oh well.

So as I say today is all about the Camel. As you will know if you have been following this blog this is not one of my favourite postures. I find myself getting nervous about this from the moment I get into Fixed Firm Pose. I know that you aren't meant to anticipate anything in the class but this posture is just so grim I can't help it. To be honest it is the Triangle equivalent of the floor series. I usually know from the moment I get onto my knees if this is going to work or not. My legs start to wobble and the muscles go into some kind of spasm. Then there is the overwhelming feeling of nausea as my head goes back. Then there is the tidalwave of emotion as my chest opens up... if, and that's a big IF, I manage to get through all of that I am OK. I have found during this challenge that if I can look myself deep into my eyes it seems easy, I can psych myself out!

OK to the Science...

• Stretching of the abdominal organs
• Cures constipation
• Stretches the throat, thyroid and parathyroid
• Compression of the spine
• Improves flexibly in the neck and spine
• Firms and slims the abdomen & waistline

Sorry it is a bit of a short post, I did the Posture Clinic and then ended up doing a second class so I am little tired and need to blog that one too!

ONLY 5 To GO!

Ardha-Kurmasana

Class Twenty-Four of Thirty

(5.30pm, 25th June, taught by Harbinder)

Oh what a night! Best class of the week by far!! Was a busy one, the energy was good and the yoga flowed - thanks Harbinder and my fellow Bikram-Bunnies! Started strangely... I was in my fave spot by the fire exit but someone had not blocked the bottom of the door with a mat (It wasn't me... HONEST!!!) and as I started to practice I was actually cold!!! I couldn't believe it, I was in the sweat-pit and I kind of wanted the heat turning up! Fortunately the eagle-eyed Harbinder clocked it and blocked the bottom of the door, the temperature went up and my practice got easier!

Got something going on with my back at the moment. Backward bends are just awkward, which is a pain (literally). Still I am in posture clinic this weekend so hopefully I will be able to work out what is going on and make sure it is not down to my bad postures. Still, managed all of the postures, though elbows hurt like hell in Locust - again posture clinic...

So today is about Half Tortoise Pose. Now this is supposedly a re-energising posture. Have to admit I have yet to experience that but that may be down to me not doing it right. I can't do the head on the floor before the fingers thing. Then there are the million and one instructions that are barked out... I am sorry I just get lost after the shoulders stretched bit. I can't seem to get that end of my spine sorted as well as getting by bum down onto my heels and my nose/ forehead onto the mat... GRRRRRRRR! I am sure there is a line about this being about teaching patience! The other thing that can be grim about this posture is the sweat in the eyes... as it is towards the end of the series there is plenty of sweat but not so much patience!

OK so now for a little science:

• This is a posture provides maximum relaxation (the dialogue talks about this being as good as 8 hours sleep)
• Great for indigestion
• Stretches the lower part of the lungs
• Increases blood-flow to the brain
• Firms the abs and thighs

Right off for some Savasana... gotta be well rested as it is day one of the Posture Clinic tomorrow. (Hugely looking forward to that.)

Before I go, I was thinking today, in less than a week this will all be over... I think I am gonna miss it!

Only 6 classes to go!