Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Naps are Important

So, when you're working 40 hours a week, spending 17 hours a week in yoga teacher training, and then practicing at home as well, while trying to cook as much as possible and not eat out... grabbing a nap when you can is important!

Today, after getting home from work, I did just that. Paul wasn't home yet, the house was quiet, and I was wiped. So I climbed in bed and fell sound asleep. I woke up refreshed, and ready to take on the rest of my to do list for the day, which included practice.

I don't want to lose the arm strength I've been building, while we focus on standing poses in class, so I spent a lot of time flowing, getting in as many chutarungas as I could. It felt good to use a different set of muscles after several days of really focusing on the root of the standing poses. I'm sure that when we get to chutarunga in class, and I have to hover for what will probably seem like forever, I'll be wishing for the days of standing poses. But when that day comes, I want to still have at least the arm strength I've got now - no less, and hopefully more. Without it, I don't know if I'd survive!

Namaste

3rd Day of Teacher Training

On my third day of teacher training, I was worried. The week was already wearing me out, I didn't get to leave work right on the dot like I'd hoped, and I was feeling a little bit overwhelmed with the anatomy reading. Then, a lightbulb when off in my head, and I remembered that anatomy wasn't due until Saturday! So I went back to being excited about class. ;)

One of the books we are using in class is a Rodney Yee guide to starting a home practice. It's divided into 8 weeks, and it focuses on a different aspect of the mental component of yoga every week, while integrating the poses that help achieve that aspect. Within the week, there is an initial practice that teaches the poses, with three stages within each pose. Then there are five more days of practice that builds on the initial one, and a day for meditation and rest. In class, we practice day 1 of each week together, learning the three stages of each pose so that we can teach to all levels.

So that's what we did on Wednesday - Day 1, Week 1. I've said it before - I'm becoming a broken record. But every time I say it, it's true. I am continually amazed at how vigorous a basic practice can be when you are really fine tuning each pose.

What I'm learning more and more is that it is much harder, and much more rewarding, to constantly move within the pose. I used to think the goal was to hold a pose, to be still, but still breathing. I'm learning now that this isn't the case. There should be constant movement in the pose, no matter how minute, as you check in with each part of the body, scanning from toes to the top of the head, and realigning. And even beyond that, with the inhale and exhale, there should be two movements one opening, one deepening.

If you do that, it doesn't matter how basic the practice is, you'll be working hard, and reaping the rewards.

Namaste

Monday, January 18, 2010

Another confession.

So for Tuesday, I worked, came home, ran errands, and then sat down to watch some tv to chill out. I made a mental list of what I needed to do before bed, including yoga. And then I did everything, and went to bed. Except, when I woke up Wednesday morning, I realized I completely forgot the yoga!!! Darn it! So that is the third day in almost 6 months that I didn't practice. I was so angry at myself Wednesday, but I let it go. What's the point of daily yoga if you're going to beat yourself up over it?

Namaste

Time to Play Catch Up Again!

Wow, it's amazing how fast a week can go by!
So last Monday, my body was worn out from the first two days of Teacher Training. I chose to do a breath practice instead, all on my back, and then go to bed!
I wasn't really sore, but I was just so tired. And after a long day at work, and then trying to play catch up at home, I didn't want to push too hard.
The breathing practice was just what I needed, and I went to sleep feeling much better.
Namaste

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Second Day of Yoga Teacher Training

Today was even better! With the introductions aside, we got right to the nitty gritty. We chanted an opening invocation, and then practiced. I was soaked in sweat, even though much of what we were doing was based in the basics. But we held the poses for what seemed like an eternity, tweaked the poses, and moved dynamically within the poses. There were times that I thought I couldn't do it, but I reconnected with my breath, and breathed through it... always just about to give in when it was finally time to release the pose.

I learned so much about the lineage of yoga, and got the answers to some questions I've had for a while.

I'm studying Hatha Yoga. Much of today's popular yoga styles fall under the umbrella of Hatha Yoga, including Anusara, Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, and more. Each of the three teachers comes from a different background within Hatha, so they bring different aspects to the class and blend them all together for a wonderfully incorporative experience.

I am humbled by their knowledge, and super excited by the prospect of becoming a better yogi under their tutelage!

Namaste

It's Official!

I am a Yoga Teacher in Training!!!

Today was my first day as a 200 Hr Yoga Alliance student at my favorite studio here on Oahu. Class will be 4 days a week - 5 hours on Saturdays and Sundays, and 3.5 hours on Wednesdays and Fridays. So 4 days a week, my practice will get pushed to its limits. Two days a week will be dedicated to homework - home practice, meditation, and reading. One day is given for rest, but to stick to my commitment, on that day I'll probably just do an easy, restorative practice, and mabye spend a lot of time in shivasana.

The first class was exciting. We spent a good chunk of time getting to know the teachers and each other, we practiced, and then we had an anatomy lesson focusing on the feet.

There is so much to learn, and I am so happy to start!

Namaste

Friday, the 8th

Friday was a good day. As a full time worker bee, I have found new appreciation for Fridays that I had lost when I was a homemaker. I was truly jubilant when I left the office that afternoon, and excited about the prospect of the weekend ahead.

That excitement carried into my yoga practice. I felt like I was rising up out of my legs while I stood in Warrior Two and Triangle. Chutarungas felt empowering, and upward dog felt energizing.

Friday was the kind of day that makes you addicted to yoga.

Namaste

Thursday, Jan 7th

Thursday found me feeling a little icky. I came home from work and pretty much hit the sack. The hubster made me dinner, and I did a light practice of poses lying on my back. I love that yoga is something I can do no matter what. If I'm feeling great, feeling strong, I can challenge myself. If I'm feeling creative, I can make up my practice as I go. If I'm feeling good, but not inspired, I can do a standard practice. And if I'm very tired, sick, or injured, I can do a restorative practice, even laying in bed. Yoga can be anything you need it to be, or want it to be. As long as you keep it balanced, you're good!

Namaste

Wed. Jan 6th

Wednesday was my husband's first day back to work after a few weeks off for the holidays. When I got home, I was ready to enjoy some solitude, but also realized I had to take care of everything myself again - I had gotten spoiled quickly!

So while the dogs noshed on their dinner, I hit the mat. I went back to side plank again, still feeling a flabbier than usual. I certainly didn't fit in a long practice though, because soon enough the furry monsters were nudging me, demanding a walk. So off we went!

Namaste

Tuesday, the 5th

On Tuesday, I remember that I was feeling very behind in my study of yoga, even though I was keeping up with practicing. Before bed, I pulled out my Meditations from the Mat book to do some catching, but soon found myself dozing off. Not only did I not catch up, but I didn't even blog! Pathetic! ;)

So, that was an easy day of practice. It had been a long day, and I was sleepy, so I did a short practice before climbing in bed with my book.

Working is definitely making time fly, and I'm having a little trouble with not falling asleep super early. I need to make a definitive effort to get things done sooner, so I can doze off without feeling guilty later in the night!

Namaste

How did I go a week without blogging?

Oh my goodness. Well, I kept up the daily yoga, but boy did I let the blog slip. Every day when I was finished with my practice, I thought I'd update the blog the next day. And I guess each next day turned into another next day! Yikes!

So let me try and remember what I did each day.

For Monday, January 4th, I remember that I practiced at home while my husband took the dogs for a walk, and I had some peace and quiet. I remember I did sun salutations, and then added in some side planks because I was feeling like my tummy was looking pudgy. Side plank can firm up your obliques super fast!

But that is about all I remember from Monday, considering it was almost a week ago!

Namaste

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Salutations

Sun salutations are like my staple items in the pantry. When I don't have the time, the energy, or the ingredients to come up with a gourmet meal, my staple pantry items and basic recipes get me through.

And on days like today, where I went non-stop from start to finish, sun salutations are there for me to help me keep my commitment to daily practice, to help me come back to center, but without a lot of mental or physical exertion.

I love sun salutations.

Namaste

Power Yoga, My Way (Jan 2)

As I've posted before, I love to do my own sequences. This practice was one of my better ones. I was still feeling good from my hip opening practice the day before, and I channeled that goodness into a strong power yoga session full of chutarunga, side plank, and warrior II's. Good stuff!

It has been a busy holiday season, and I'm happy that I kept up the yoga throughout, with the exception of Christmas Day. With so much going on every day for the Holidays, my new job, and all the other things daily life brings, it's hard not to get lost in the hubbub of activity. This quote reminds me of why I feel so good doing yoga.

"You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose."

What I learn in yoga helps me stay steady throughout the day (not that I *always* succeed, but I'm making progress). And when I come to the mat, most days I feel energized knowing that I will spending the next 20, 40, 60 or 80 minutes on this one small rectangle. And when I step off the mat, I'm ready to truly relax and recharge, which allows me to start again the next day, from a neutral place.

Namaste


New Years Day

Like most people (at least those who didn't get smashed the night before) I was feeling energetic about the New Year, so I pulled out my "Advanced Yoga" by Rodney Yee DVD. This DVD is far out of my league still... considering his Intermediate Yoga still kicks my butt. But I wanted inspiration, and a window into what I hope the New Year will bring!

What I didn't know was that there is a short hip opening practice on the second DVD of the set. And if there is one thing that naturally comes to my body, it's hip openers, so I went for it. It was awesome!

It was definitely more challenging than most hip opening sequences I've done in the past, but I was up to the challenge, and felt fantastic after completing the practice.

A great start to a New Year!

New Year's Eve Yoga

My New Year's Eve Practice did not go as planned! I had a couple of beers in the afternoon and my first ever shot of tequila, and I was not up to par by the time I got around to my practice. So I laid on my back, since balance had left me for the evening, and did spinal twists, restorative rest poses, and a few breathing exercises. And then promptly fell asleep and missed the ball drop! ;) Not a bad way to send out the old year though!