Sit-Up

Class Twenty-Three of Thirty

(6.00pm, 24th June, taught by Rachel)

Go-yoga...go-yoga...go-yoga! Yayee, I did it...a whole class without dying! It feels like it has been a while! It was a miracle that I got there... was a case of hot footing it back from work (behind every driver who thought that today was national let's drive at the speed of a drunken snail-day!) and had the grand total of 3 minutes to spare when I arrived red faced and sweaty at the pit (FYI, I work 35 miles from Leicester... it should not take an hour as most of the journey is on a motorway!!! Grrrrr!!!!!) Rant over... so I got to the pit in time for the start of Pranayama. I set myself the personal target that I needed to get through the class, doing all of the postures without either talking myself out of it or needing to cool off by the door. And you know what...I DID IT!!!

It was a hot class tonight but once I had decided that all I needed to do was get through it I managed to enjoy it! Isn't it weird how your mind plays tricks on you?! I was right at the back of class... oddly reminded me of the first class I did which was nice... I had a great view, as I have said before it is inspiring to watch a room of people all working at the same time. Rachel pushed me on Standing Head to Knee... whilst it is probably what I need (and what I am paying for!) it didn't feel like it at the time!!! Whilst I understand the words of 'kick from the hip' I just can't translate that into what it feels like! I did 2 full sets of Triangle... and even found myself standing tall and proud for the '... and turn and twist like spine twisting pose...'-bit! It felt great!! And then to add the icing to the yogic-cake I was enjoying I got deep into Camel and came out and rather than the Savasana being full of nausea and general post-Ustrasana grimness I felt great!!!

So today is about the Sit-Up. I could have put this earlier but this is part of the 'Re-energising' series (more about my cynicism about this tomorrow). There are good days with this and also there are bad ones. Some days it just feels like too much like hard work, but then I guess that is also true of some yoga classes!!!

So the science point is...

The Sit-Up strengthens and tightens the abdomen and helps increase the flexibility of the spine.

OK..Savasana

PS Rachel agreed with me today... Energy Drink + Yoga Class = Caffeine-Sweats + Feeling Vile!

Only 7 classes to go!

Supta-Vajrasana

Class Twenty-Two of Thirty

(5.30pm, 23rd June, taught by Rachel)

WIPE OUT! The sweat-pit beat me today. I had decided that I was going to take it easy today so was towards the back of the room which gave me the great view of the whole class in Pranayama Breathing which looks great. I started OK, was actually enjoying it... remembered something Libby said in a class recently when it came to back bending... she suggested that we imagined we were leaning back over a big ball - you know it works, it prevents collapsing into your lower spine. Eagle went well, the standing series was fairly strong - standing head to knee is making progress, then we got to Triangle and it all went south! Now I suppose I should 'fess up at this point I had made a slight error of judgement... As I was leaving the house to go to yoga I picked up a can of supermarket home-brand energy drink... there was logic (honest) I figured that as I had had a positive response to using the C-Vit things they sell at the studio it wasn't a that daft to have an energy drink - or was it? Top tip - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!! (Or in the studio!) It lead to odd rushy sweats, and a racing heart. Now I know that these are also 'side-effects' of Bikram Yoga but believe me these were noticeably different (and not in a good way!). So I am not too surprised at a bit of a 'mare of a session. One thing lead to another and I think I kind of talked myself out of doing postures and started to get overwhelmed by the room, which led to an inability to settle my breathing down again, resulting to a trip to the door for some fresh air. I managed to regain some control and was able to get back into it from fixed firm pose - well it is today's posture. Yet again more learning as part of this 30 day roller-coaster ride! Next time I think something is a good idea I will park that thought and revisit it a bit later!

So as I have just said today is Fixed Firm Pose (or super pose... there is something about how the sanskrit name of this posture can sound to me - 'Super-Dooper-Drasana' that never ceases to put a smile on my face (clearly I am easily pleased!)). I really like this posture as it feels like 'proper yoga' and is a chance to refocus on my breathing after the spine-strengthening series. I am currently working on getting my shoulders further back to be able to get an even bigger bridge into my spine. There have been times I have been told off for closing my eyes - this is not a chance to catch a few Zzzzs! There are also times I need the first set to be able to get my bum down between my feet before going back in the second set. But all in all this posture gets my vote every time!

Science?

• Good for gout, sciatica and rheumatism in the legs
• Slims the thighs & firms the calves
• Strengthens and improves flexibility in the lower spine, knees and ankles

OK, you know the drill... Savasana...

ONLY 8 MORE CLASSES TO GO!!!

Dhanurasana

Class Twenty-One of Thirty

(7.45pm, 22nd June, taught by Hannah)

Phew... what a scorcher! I know that it is hot yoga but today was quite a challenge. I knew that it was going to be hot as it looked like a swarm of hot, pink lobsters leaving the studio as I was waiting to go in... and the heat coming off of them was enough to boil water. As I walked in I was hit by a wall of hot, humid air and I knew I was in for quite a session. Then the lights came on and I saw that it was Hannah teaching - BINGO! I have now had each of the Bikram teachers teach me as part of the 30 day challenge... only took 21 days to get the full house! I was a bit worried that I was going to get moved as the front row was off to one side but fortunately there were three new ladies behind us so we got to stay where we were! The class started off OK, managed some quite nice deep Eagle - even in I do say so myself I am starting to see the start of some real definition and can see what a six-pack might look like! (I can dream!) I got a couple of leg extensions in Standing Head to Knee which was nice. We got to Posture of the Week and even though I was almost ready to die I was almost up for volunteering, but Hannah forgot and went straight into it so I was saved! Triangle beat me... got into the start of the posture but no sooner as I started to bend my right leg but I felt all my energy drain out through my feet - very strange, but I had to acknowledge it and stand out of the posture. The floor series was tough, but I got one good set of Locust (both legs) and todays posture (Bow Pose) went well. As we headed towards Camel I could feel the anxiety building up. However I acknowledged the feeling and 'asked' it to move on... and it did so I pulled off two very respectable sets! Must remember that for the future.

So today is all about Bow, or Floor Bow. Hannah came out with the cutest line of dialogue today that put a smile on my face! 'We have worked the lower, middle and upper spine. Now we are going to finish it all off with a Bow!' - LOVE IT! This is a posture that I struggle with. I get what I am meant to be doing but it comes at a point in the class when energy levels are starting to flag. It was suggested that I relaxed my face and brow and you know what, daft as it sounds, it works! One very odd thing that I have noticed is the intense pulse across the top of my stomach/bottom of my rib cage when I grab my ankles and my stomach is flat on the ground (not sure what blood vessel it is... answers on a postcard please). I would have thought that as I like standing bow pulling pose this would also be a favourite but this posture is just such hard work! There have been a number of times when whoever is teaching has said that the key is to save some energy for the end of the posture and then really go for it for the last few seconds. I was determined that I was going to do this well today so I relaxed my face and brow, went so far to start and the in the second half of the posture relaxed my arms, kicked with my legs and looked back and up and hey presto a perfectly respectable posture! (Well it was in my head!!) But gawd-blimey it don't half take it out of you!

I know... time for some science:

• Improves the functioning of the small and large intestines, liver, kidneys and spleen
• Helps to straighten rounded spines, backaches and pigeon chests
• Revitalizes spinal nerves by increasing circulation to the spine
• Improves digestion
• Strengthens abdominal muscles, upper arms, thighs and hips
• Particularly good if you are a dancer

Not bad eh?

Oh yeah, one last tip, best not have a king-size snickers two and a half hours before the class... It might start to repeat and that isn't so nice when you head is below your knees!

OK off for some well earned Savasana...

ONLY 9 CLASSES TO GO

Poorna-Salabhasana

Class Twenty of Thirty

(5.30pm, 21st June, taught by Libby)

Woop-woop! Another good class... and only another ten to go! It was busy tonight and the energy was so up it seemed to go really quickly. Was only foxed in the first set of Fixed Firm Pose - just didn't get my legs into the right position so I wasn't able to get back, however fixed that in the second set. Poor Rachel was explaining she has 8 classes to teach, 9 to practice and the Posture Clinic to do this week - rather her than me, but just think how good that will be for her! Managed to get my leg up and locked for a whole 5 seconds tonight in Standing Head to Knee... small steps but at least it is progress! I am definitely seeing benefits to this 30 day lark. I was having a bit of a mooch around the net and found a series of blogs for Bikram 101 i.e. a 101 day challenge...not sure if I could cope with that! I would only now be a fifth of the way through rather than two thirds!!! Maybe one day, it might be an interesting experience. What was nice was some of the shared experiences/feelings. New posture of the week - Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose... as I have said before I am not a fan of this, head down time I think!

So today is about Full Locust - this is a real trip of a posture. Just think about it, lie on your stomach, arms out to the side of you like plane wings and legs back behind you with heels touching. Then 'simply' raise your arms and legs up until you are resting on your hips - sounds simple doesn't it? It isn't! This is one posture where I am taking it slowly and think I am making progress but it is at a snails pace. Still if I am moving forwards, no matter how slowly, it has to be a good thing. I know that it is meant to be all about your own practice but it can sometimes be depressing seeing how well other people can get into this posture... having said that it can also be hugely inspirational so I will try to see a half full glass on this one. The other thing about this is I just don't get why it is called Locust...I doesn't look like a locust at all!

Bit of science anyone?

• Ok so this is as therapeutic as Cobra with the same upper body benefits as Standing Bow Pulling
• It also firms abs, upper arms, hips and thighs - that's gotta be worth it

It has been pointed out to be that an additional benefit of Salabhasana (yesterday's posture) is good for Carpel Tunnel Syndrome... (Thanks for that Sharan!)

Right it will be Savasana time soon... and the countdown starts tomorrow...bring it on!!!!

Salabhasana

Class Nineteen of Thirty

(5.00pm, 20th June, taught by Rachel)

Hallelujah... hallelujah, hallelujah! You guessed it... a blinding class! I am still enjoying a wee bit of a buzz from it now six hours later! I was a touch worried that I had not prepared myself enough - I had spent the afternoon weeding up the allotment and had really hydrated properly. However the Zen-like effect of slowly weeding rows of onions and beans clearly had a very soothing effect of the brain and I was suitably chilled for class. (Maybe the quick shot of the vitamin C thing they sell at reception just before class also helped!) I seemed to flow through the postures without thinking about what was coming next for most of the class. Bizarrely I got into Cobra and felt great then started to think about yesterday's post about the perils of thinking about what was coming next and managed to 'think myself out' of worrying about Locust! I even managed two very respectable Camels and gave myself a cheeky smile in the mirror as a 'reward' as I came back up before relaxing into Savasana.

Today is about Locust - now this is one hell of a posture. The dialogue suggests that there might be some discomfort in your elbows as you regain flexibility... I should like to know just how long that takes as I have been practicing for almost 6 months now and it still can hurt like hell - I am hoping that I am doing it wrong and that I will learn how to correct my mistakes at next weeks Posture Clinic (ask at Reception for details). The first part of the posture (right then left leg) sounds easy enough but can actually be quite tricky, especially when you know that you need to keep the relevant hip down! Then there is the madness of the second part. I remember the first time I saw pictures of people doing this (remember your face is down so you don't get to see it in class) I couldn't a) believe that people could do this or b) believe that I would ever be able to do this. As it currently stands it is a very hit and miss posture for me. There are days when I can get a grip of this and get my legs up fairly high (though I am never quite sure how high), then there are other days when I just can't do it. It is rather like the game of Pool - I get what I m meant to be doing in theory, it is just tricky turing that into reality... however if it is anything like my Pool playing it may get better with practice (though unlike my Pool playing I doubt it gets better the more I drink!).

Now for the Science:

• Apparently it has similar effects to Cobra but is more potent for back or spinal problems
• It cures tennis elbow
• It firms hips and buttocks

Well I am off for some Savasana now and to enjoy the last of my Yoga-buzz... Hopefully I will get some more tomorrow!

Bhujangasana

Class Eighteen of Thirty

(10am, 19th June, taught by Libby)

A better class today! I moved today and practiced towards the middle of the studio, and tell you what it gives you a new perspective! Standing there watching fifty odd people Paranayama breathing in unison was amazing and felt great to be a part of it!!! What was also great was that all 5 teachers were in... 4 on mats and Libby as the YJ (Yoga-Jockey!). It had a good energy and I managed to get through the whole class and only had to sit out Camel, which I need to stop psyching me out. But all in all I think it was a good one... hopefully we have turned a corner!

Today is about Cobra Pose - The first of the 'Spine Strengthening Series' it is a good barometer of how the rest of the series is going to go. If I am having a good class then I am able to get deep into this posture and hold it well, but it is also very possible that all the power I have in my body can get 'zapped' fairly quickly and then it is heading towards game over! However, on the up side when it does go right it is a really nice deep back bend and feels great. Once I have the backbend sorted then the trick is keeping the tops of my feet on the floor and knees locked meaning that they are up off the mat. The danger is that as I like the posture and can do a fairly decent job of it (on a good day) my mind can wander and I end up thinking about what is coming next (Locust) and that starts the heart racing and adrenaline pumping and then it gets difficult to hold the posture as my breathing goes. It is really a case of staying in the moment and not anticipating anything - as ever easier said than done.

Herpetology anyone? (Snake Science - Cobra Pose!!!!)

• One of the best ways to maintain the body in perfect condition
• Works on spinal strength and flexibility helping prevent backache
• Helps with lumbago, rheumatism and arthritis of the spine
• Helps with menstrual issues (irregularity, cramps, backaches)
• Good for bad posture
• Improves how the liver and spleen function
• Corrects bad posture
• Strengthens deltoids, triceps and trapezius muscles

Time for a little Savasana I think...

Pavanamuktasana

Class Seventeen of Thirty

(5.30pm, 18th June, taught by Sharan)

A better class tonight. Not great, we are no where near that, but it was manageable even though it was VERY hot in there (and I wasn't the only one to notice it!). Having had a run of progressively worse classes I was a little nervous about tonight, but in the end I got through it. I arrived early and got into a nice relaxed Savasana... maybe it was a little too relaxed as when I lay down and closed my eyes there were three people in the room, when I next open my eyes there were over thirty! I may have nodded off, but it was nice! I also decided that I was going to give myself an easier time of it and it seemed to pay dividends.

I had to sit out one set of Triangle and Camel was just too much for me but I am pleased that I have hopefully turned a corner. I did however, find myself volunteering for posture of the week (Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Janushirasana - Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose)... not sure quit how it happened. Sharan was looking for volunteers and before I knew what I was doing my hand was in the air and I was walking to the front. Tell you what though, don't think I have ever managed to pull off quite such a good posture before. I was told to take a slightly wider step than I am used to and it did help me get my forehead to the knee without bending my leg up. Having sorted the head to knee bit I was able to work on getting the alignment of my hips right. Unfortunately it did wipe me out for a bit!!!

So today is about Wind Removing Pose (snigger!). This is an interesting one, as so many postures it looks easy but it has interesting possibilities. I have been able to get suitably relaxed to really pull my leg/knee down to get a deep stretch and the pinching in my hip that the dialogue describes. I do find that my arms slip in the final part of the posture (both legs up, arms over knees holding elbows)... It seems to be a constant battle between maintaining the grip and getting my tailbone down onto the mat. This is also another one of those postures that benefits parts of my body I didn't know I had, or know what they do. Each of the parts works a different part of the Colon - now I know about that, but I was unaware that it came in ascending, descending and transverse flavours! (Not only is this yoga business good for the body, it also expands the mind!) One of the things I like about this posture is that it gives you the chance to re-focus and catch your breath before the madness of the floor series.

OK so a little light science?

Well there are no surprises that it helps cure and prevent flatulence! It also helps improve hip flexibility and firms the abdomen, hips and thighs.

You guessed it... it's Savasana time!