Another Day of Vinyasa Flow

Last night's practice felt great, but I didn't want to push it too hard tonight. I can definitely feel the workout in my legs, and while it's not painful, I thought I should be cautious.

So tonight, I did the same Vinyasa Flow DVD, but back to my old level. 

One thing that I noticed tonight was how much I tune into the cues about opening the collar bone, especially in Warrior Two and Triangle Poses. This is not a stretch that comes naturally to me. I curve forward naturally, and probably make it worse by sitting in front of the computer and the TV. So to stretch my back, and open the collar bone feels wonderful. I definitely need the cue to remind me to do that. This is the only DVD I've ever had that includes that cue in these poses, and that's a really relaxing and beneficial tweak to the pose.

Namaste

Good Workout Tonight

Tonight, I did the next level up on my Vinyasa Flow DVD, and it was a great workout! I feel energized.

Most notably, this series added a high lunge pose with arms extended overhead that I found very challenging, and it also incorporated Stage 2 of Triangle pose, which really deepened the stretch for me.

Towards the end, my legs were starting to feel worn out, so I was very content to reach the twists and then Shivasana.

All in all, my practice was 50 minutes long, but it was so engaging that it really didn't feel that long at all. I love when I can really get into it, and not feel the minutes ticking by!

Namaste

Namaste

Power Yoga Vinyasa Flow

I feel good! And strong! Tonight, I did an intermediate Rodney Yee DVD - Power Yoga Vinyasa Flow. It was challenging, but it felt fantastic. I haven't been in Wheel pose (a full back bend) in a long time, so that was a nice change.

Huffing and puffing into that back bend reminded me of days when I could do back bends, walkovers, and all kinds of other gymnastics positions all day long without batting an eye. Where does that flexibility go? And when did I start to feel so heavy? I don't remember ever thinking 'Oh Gosh, my arms might collapse under my own weight' when I was a kid. I could walk around in a back bend like an inverted crab, and never felt too weak for it.

More importantly, where does that confidence in our bodies go? I never doubted myself, the thought of it didn't even cross my mind. But now, I'm filled with doubt. Will I be able to get up onto my head? Can I push up into the position? Can I hold it? Can I extend? Will I collapse? Doubt, doubt, doubt!

I did it though. It wasn't my prettiest back bend, and not my strongest. But I did it, and afterward, I think I was probably glowing with pride. Tonight my confidence got a boost, and self doubt got a swift kick in the ass.

Thank you Yoga!

Namaste

New Yoga Goodies on the Way...

Today I am not feeling well. I'm still going to practice tonight - I'm not giving up that easily! I'm planning on a series of Sun Salutations followed by restorative poses and a good long Shivasana.

Planning my yoga for the evening according to how I feel got me thinking. I need more tools in the toolbox. So I went shopping online, with the goal of finding a few more things for days like today, when I don't want to skip practice, but I really don't have the energy to give to practice either.

Here's what I ordered:







Gentle Vinyasa Flow with Zyrka Landwijt


















Yoga for Stress Relief (with the Dalai Lama) by Barbara Benagh.






I also ordered a copy of Light on Yoga, The Bible of Modern Yoga by B. K. S. Iyengar. I've heard wonderful things about this book and what it can do for your practice. I'm looking forward to reading a little bit of it every day.

Living in Hawaii, shipping can get very expensive. I decided to order a few things at once so I could qualify for free shipping. Soon, my tool box will be expanded, and I can't wait to try out my new DVD's!

Namaste