Triple Double

Day 24, Class 25

9:00 with Ivy Claire

I went out with some of my girls last night and got home at 2 or so. I had to be awake by 5:30 to deliver a Boy Scout uniform to my nephew. I stayed up from that point meditating, surfing and piddling. I made a green smoothie and started my third consecutive day of doubles. OK, team, we can do it!

Oscar Robertson

Record holder for the most Triple-Doubles

The first class went very well. It was almost too easy. Not that Bikram is ever easy, per se, but I was quite pleased with my practice. I had the usual challenges, but nothing worth mentioning, or that I haven't mentioned before. It was all good! Ivy Claire did ask me to put my forehead all the way to the towel to receive the full benefits of Half-Tortoise. I did and it felt great. The problem is that I fear that's what contributes to my forehead acne attacks. I hope not. After the final Savasana, I jumped up, full of energy, to shower, change, and enjoy a Zico before class two...

Day 24, Class 26

11:00 with Eric

Where does one begin with this fiasco? I am almost certain that we did 317 repetitions of Pranayama breathing in the first set... maybe 316. The other postures were going well, then on Balancing Stick, I got lost. I couldn't remember which leg we were lifting. Mind you, I was lifting the correct one, but had to come out and look around to be sure. That was the beginning of the end. I think that I sat out the first set of Triangle and made it through the rest of the standing series only by the Grace of God. On my least hydrated days, I take no more than 3 water breaks, and that third one is after the final breathing. Today, I actually ran out of water.

Eric re-filled my bottle and I guzzled a little more. The spine strengthening series was hit or miss for me. I have no recollection of what I did, didn't do, or how well. I did remember to take my hair down for Fixed Firm... and I would have even if Eric had not asked me about it. I don't know if he saw me struggling or what, but he placed the fan directly in my line. Usually, the heat does not bother me, but the breeze does. Today, the heat was unbearable and the breeze was welcomed. Final postures... again, no idea. I did some of them, I hung out in some of them, I stayed in Savasana for one of them. I don't know! Heck! It was hot and I was hungry. I realized toward the end of class that I had not really eaten a full meal in a few days. Boys suck!

After class, I was reflecting on what was so different about that class and how to never ever have that experience again. It was a double, true. It was my 6th class in 3 days, true. I had another early morning, ok. I was still distracted by life, sure. I had not eaten, fine. It's all making sense. Any of those factors would create a challenging class. Then, more students entered the locker room saying how hot is was, how that one student's worst class in 6 years, how another kept falling out, and so on. I said, "Oh! I thought it was just me! It's good to know that everyone had a bad class." I was half joking. I talked to Eric about the class afterwards and even he said that it looked like a hard class, but that it was no hotter than usual according to the gauges. I am so glad that I can laugh this stuff off. I am certain that even with today's events, tomorrow could be my best class ever. I look forward to seeing how all of this manifests.

I have to do a double on Tuesday to make 30 BYD classes before I go on retreat. I can do it! I don't even know what I win. It's a good thing I was doing this for myself, first. The rewards are already numerous!

Double, Double Toil and Trouble

Day 23, Class 23

10:00 with Meah

Because I went to bed so early after my exhausting double last night, I woke up at about 2:45a.m. and stayed up. I had an emotional setback from a relationship gone bad shortly after that. I used up hours of energy thinking and talking about it and really just wanted to stay in the bed all day. I mustered up the strength to get going and I'm glad that I did. However, I was very distracted. It was bad.

When I arrived at class, I realized that 3 towels that I had gotten up early to wash, were at home in the dryer. Seriously? Seriously. Then, I realized that I was too tired to eat after class last night and too sad, mad, disappointed, and disgusted to eat this morning. I was depleted in every way. The postures themselves were just ok, but my mind was elsewhere and at one point, I really just wanted to lay in Savasana for the rest of class. I got through it, but it wasn't pretty. After class, I think that I successfully talked a friend into taking the classes, even though mine was so miserable. I can't wait to see how that turns out.

Day 23, Class 24

4:30 with Rebecca R.

I returned to the afternoon class determined to redeem myself. There were a few others from the morning class who also returned. We're either really cool or really crazy. Right before class, I decided to purchase one more Yogitoes towel. This time, I bought a light blue "water". That outta do it... except there is a light pink one that I would love be have. I'd have to order it on-line. I'll check the yoga budget for the month.

I was feeling a little sore for the first time, but it was nothing that would hurt the practice too much. I felt pretty confident right from the beginning. My balance postures were decent and I even finished them gracefully. I was a bit tired by the time we got to the floor, not from the practice as much as just from being up and at 'em for so long. On the floor, Rebecca caught me hanging out in Spine Twist and I couldn't help but to smirk when she reminded me that I could wrap my hand around my back. The rest of the floor series was just fine and I feel as though redemption was mine. I am now one day ahead... sorta- the one day at Decatur Hot Yoga is hopefully not going to be the death of the 30 day challenge. I feel great and these past 24 classes have flown by! I am really excited about moving through each phase of the challenge.

Bad Hair Day

Day 22, Class 21

5:30 With Eric

I stayed extra hydrated today so that I would have the energy to make it through both classes. Doubles at the end of the work week can be a challenge, but I was focused on doing it. In fact, I have another double planned for tomorrow, though not back-to-back. I set up in the front today. I only do that when I am really feeling good about my body and practice potential on that day. I tend to have a better class in the front row for whatever reason. Part of it is the pressure of setting a good example, part of it is pride, and a part of it is that I am close enough to actually see my own eyes in the mirror. I've got the power!

Mexico City Olympics 1968

The class was small and full of seasoned practitioners. We each got lots of individualized attention. So, on the one hand, Eric didn't talk a lot when he didn't have to, but on the other hand, when he wanted to tweak someone's posture, it felt as though we were holding forever. I especially felt this way in Triangle, Standing Bow Pulling and Camel. I just focused on the benefits over the discomfort. In standing Bow, my ankle pain has just about resolved, but my arches are still on fire every time. If not for that, I could hold the posture longer and better. I am at least making it to the end more often than not these days. I think that I have the most dramatic step out (fall out) in class. I really do try to tone it down.

Madonna incorporating yoga into her show.

I popped up off my ankle at the end of both Toe Stands, but lost my balance both times. They were better yesterday, but I am going to continue to try it each class. My Locust has to be getting better. I wish I could see it. I am so close to my standing back bend! By my 34th birthday, I am going to be able to go down and come up without fear, loss of balance or pain.

In mentally preparing for a second class, I could not handle taking my hair down after Fixed Firm as I had been doing. What do ya know? After class, Eric talks to me again about my hair. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! I vowed to take it down during the second class, which was my plan all along. This Savasana better be worth it!

Day 22, Class 22

7:30 With Ivy Claire

I followed the normal double routine: changed class space, took a shower, changed clothes and replenished my electrolytes. This time, I did it with a Zico coconut water instead of Emergen-C. Honestly, I don't feel a difference, except that the fizz in the latter was making me belch during the second class. The Zico worked out much better. A friend of mine said that she has been drinking it everyday throughout her pregnancy and feels great heading into her third trimester.

ZICO

During this second class, I set up on the other side of the room and in the second row for a change of scenery and energy. I always get slightly distracted by what's going on outside or in the lobby when I'm over there, but I was focused on staying focused. Once, when I was trying to evaluate my focusedness (yes, I wrote that), Ivy Claire said, "you guys are sooooo focused!"

FO-CUS

This was another intimate class and my first time having Ivy Claire since my return. She has a wonderfully calming energy and a practical way of explaining the postures. She spends less time making life applications, but she did say the one thing that I remember her saying at least a year ago, "You can do anything for 10 seconds!" I take that with me and have passed it along to many, many patients. I love it.

I need to find this book!

My balance was... let's just say, not the best that it's ever been. I even fell out of Eagle- twice. C'mon people? Eagle? That's one of my money postures. I was wobbly on the balancing postures, but I held them. Everything else went well, but I was happy to make it to the floor. The first half of the second class flew by.

Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down.

My hair came out of the bun during the end of the standing series, which it had never done before. I guess Eric got his wish. I tried not to think about it, but hot, heavy hair on a hot, sweaty back during hot yoga... During the spine strengthening series, I let my hair fall to the front, looking like Cousin It again. There were a few class giggles and Ivy Claire even made drew the comparison. It was pretty funny, but there was no other way to get through that already challenging series with that hair on my back. I was fading after the first Fixed Firm. All of that turning and bending and compressing at the end of a second class always throws me off. I get lost in the last 5 postures every time. The next time, I am going to stay fully focused on where we are when.

The class ended nicely and I was grateful to have completed them both. Tomorrow, we're doing it again!

Seis de Mayo

Day 21, Class 20

6:30 with Susan

I stayed out until 2 am for Cinco de Mayo. I did have a few holiday spirits, but the lack of sleep is really what got me today. I barely made it to class because of fatigue. But I got there, it was great, I popped up off of my heel in toe stand and I did not drink any water throughout the entire class. Other than that, I am really too sleepy to continue this post.

Tomorrow's a double.

Muy Loco!

Day 20, Class 19

5:30 with Susan

Tuesday was jam packed with fun to-dos, but I placed the highest after-work priority on class and everything else fell into place. I was one of the first to set-up, so I was in my area and had time to relax, but could not completely. I was preoccupied with the fact that I did not bring the right shorts for class. Occasionally, I've tried to come down off of my Nike pedestal to try other brands, but they really do the best job in terms of the dry technology. I had not had good experience with this other pair of shorts, so I knew that it was going to be a long 90 minutes. I was also thinking about the fact that I did not pack or purchase the appropriate clothing for the after work festivities. I finally let all of these apparel distractions go by Awkward Pose.

UTKATASANA- Awkward Pose
Improves overall body strength
Opens pelvis
Strengthens and tones leg muscles
Relieves menstrual cramping
Reduces fat pocket under buttocks
Aligns skeletal system
Good for arthritis conditions
Good for digestion
Relieves joint pain
Relieves sciatica
Improves flexibility in toes and ankles
Exercises liver, intestines, and pancreas

Prior to that, we spent an unusually long time re-arranging the room. There were lots of giggles for about 3 minutes before class started. It was fun and funny and Susan's sarcastic humor made it even funnier. Susan is a great teacher. She gives a tremendous amount of information about anatomy, physiology, the practice and life. She has encouraged me to move forward in postures when I was stuck, lacking the confidence, balance or flexibility to proceed. She has this way of complimenting a student, then offering a gentle correction. It works... sometimes. She'll say, "That's nice, Jada. Now bring your chest up a little higher", then Jada falls out. But it's all good. Today, two weird things happened. First, she complimented my Standing Bow, without correction. As soon as she said, "That's Nice, Jada", I was waiting for it, but I guess that was all she wanted to say. Cool! I actually fell out of the first one, but the rest were pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. Second, she actually noticed that any other time she said something to anyone, they fell out. We giggled again, because it was totally true. It was a very weird class.

Down in Left toe-stand, Susan encouraged me to pop up off of my heel, which I had never even attempted before. My balance was great and my eyes were locked, so I said "no", giggled again, then I did it... I can't wait to try it again with more time left in the posture. Speaking of "left", another random practice question is why does the left hand always come up first in Toe Stand? Hmmm...

Maybe Bikram's a southpaw like the President.

Everyone was drinking lots and lots of water in this class, so Susan talked about the importance of hydrating before class to receive the most benefit. I started trying this last year and it really works. I only drink after Eagle, after Toe-Stand and before the last Savasana. I am going to take one of those breaks out today to see how that goes. I would love to not have to drink any at all... one day.

Class on the floor was pretty uneventful, except that I am really feeling my Locust come along. I would love to be able to see it from the side. After class, I helped my Mexican brothers and sisters celebrate Cinco de Mayo at No Mas, Matadors y Sugarhill... OK, Sugar Hill only because it was their last night, but I did have a margarita. Ole'!

I Am Kali Ma

Day 19, Class 18

6:30 with Eric

I am back from Cincinnati where I pigged out on local favorites, ironcially, during the Flying Pig Marathon weekend. I should have been running in it. Next year, I will plan on it.

11th Annual Flying Pig Marathon

Today was a long first day back to work after a long weekend I did not entertain skipping class, but I did wonder how many postures I could sit through without being a distraction. When I arrived at the studio, I purchased a new Yogitoes skidless towel. They are my favorite and the washing rotation is not going exactly as it needs to, especially with doubles occuring more frequently. I selected a black towel just because it looked cool. The packaging was even cooler. It was from Yogitoes' Deity collection. My towel is Kali Ma- "The Black Goddess that takes away darkness from every devotee who strives in the path of perfection". Love it! There are four other Deities in this collection and I may end up with all of them before these 90 days are over. The best part is that a portion of the proceeds from the towel benefits the Yogitoes Fund, which benefits children who are impoverished, orphaned, sick, physically challenged, or otherwised socially disadvantaged. I really love that!

Kali Ma

Class was going well, but it was noticebly more humid than previous class. I thought it was just me until Eric made an observation about how wet it was in the class and in Georgia, in general. He then went one to say that after practicing Bikram for 10 years, his allergies have improved and he his not as adversly affected by the heat outdoors. I can see that. Speaking of adversity, during the 2 minute Savasana, he talked about how Bikram's postures, teaching style, the heat and all that creates the practice, was uniquely designed so that the Bikram yogis would be able to face life's adversity outside of class, as well as inside. It's true! I feel a lot more capable and confident in real life after a class or during a challenge. There is a definite carry over. It's so obvious. It's so worth it.

"When Life Presents a Challenge... Take Your Shot"

During another Savasana, Eric bought up the importance of proper hydration and nutrition during the practice. This is key. He said that many people asked him about supplements to take to improve... or jsut get them through practice. He then stated that we can get all of the nutrients we need from eating well-balanced and consistent meals. It's so true. We try to do it all the hard way, thinking that a capsule is better than an apple. Whole foods is more than the name of a store, people!

Wonderful Book!

I let my hair down to enjoy the remaining Savasanas. My locs were wet, even toward the ends. It was HOT! I survived, but each time I arose from Half-Tortoise and Rabbit, I looked like Cousin It... pretty funny. I enjoyed this entire class. Eric is the only teacher who I actually hear say to enjoy the class. That in and of itself is somewhat of a joke considering the conditions, but today, I saw myself smiling, smurking and giggling throughout class. Nice!

Cousin It from the Adams Family

Manana es Cinco de Mayo! Ole'! Time for another re-tox already?

Bikram Break

I am visiting my godson and other friends in Cincinnati this weekend, where there is no Bikram anywhere in sight. I arrived safely this morning, by plane, with no signs or symptoms of the pandemic Swine Flu.

Green Eggs and Ham

I spent my high school days here, so at the airport, I picked up some local favorites including Gold Star Chili Mix and Montgomery Inn BBQ sauce. I even had a Pepsi, which is difficult to find at a restaurant in Atlanta... not that I even drink sodas, excuse me, "pop", regularly, it was just the principle. I only drank about 1/3 of it. I am not leaving without here some Grippos potato chips, Graters ice cream, and LaRosa's pizza. I'm definitely need to add on a few days to the end of this challenge.

While having lunch with my friend, it occurred to me that I was going to miss blogging as much as I missed the class- and I do actually miss the class. During class, the teachers give A LOT of information, but sometimes. We do things and after 3 years, I still don't know why. I thought that I would take this opportunity to consider random thoughts about the practice. These are things that make me go hmmm during every class.

Thinking Lady

1. Why do we go straight into the second set of Eagle without a Savasana?


2. Why is Bikram's Triangle different than the traditional yoga triangle?


3. Why don't we do two sets of Spine Twist?


I think that's all! If there are more, I'm sure they will pop into my sweaty head during my next class. For now, I will ponder these... then look them up... and finally purchase the book.

WAIT! This just in! My friend is telling me right now that there is a "hot" studio around the corner from her house. That would be great! We'll see!