Day 17 06.02.13

7.00pm (SM)

As you read this post you have to listen to this song, cause right now I am listening to it with the biggest smile on my face, ohhh I love 1960's music! 

Oh glorious Yoga how I am addicted to thee!! I got my "Bikram Choudhury Bikram Yoga" book today in the mail...so excited. I have so much to read and learn, I figure if I learn all this now, then come teacher training I will have more insight, plus it will better my own practice. 

WAHOOOOO tonights class was packed - 53 people with 10 newbies. The energy was amazing and everyone practiced great stillness around me. One newbie behind me was doing so well, she was trying every posture even if she didn't get into it fully she just kept getting right back into the posture - so good to see that in a newbie.  

Highlight of the night was Seema letting us hold Camel...I was kinda hoping she would do this so Im glad I got this little challenge in during class. I have this feeling when I get out of this posture like I am sinking within a coffin (bad way to explain it but oh well), I feel like I am in a nice little tight box sinking below the ground - It feels an absolutely awesome feeling. 

Oh golly, Standing Head to Knee - this posture for my right leg is harder than my left. It could have to do with my different length arms or something, Im not 100% sure what it is, but I am unable to bend my arms below my calves like I can on me left leg. So I am really trying to kick out in this posture and see where this is going wrong.

I am venturing out and trying new postures of yoga and I am having fun learning what my body can do. I tried scorpion by going from head stand and getting a feel for flat palms and it was a crazy feeling - looking forward to getting that down pact. 

Not much to write tonight other than it was amazing and for a minimal sleep I have had over this challenge I am surprised I am not worn out by now. Yay for ENERGY!


Until tomorrow x

ALix x

Day 16 05.02.13

6.30pm (SM)

Oh goodness, I had to check my own blog to see what day I was up to. I have cracked the 200 mark on people reading this blog...who the hell is reading this? but Im glad there are readers...theres one special person in Malaysia so hello to you. Rest are from USA, Japan, Germany and South Korea - Hello to all my readers!!  

Tonights class was amazing...hardly felt the heat but was dripping sweat in second set of Pranayama. I find myself really focusing harder in the mirror now and can easily go a whole class with no water.  

Jodi completed her 30 day challenge today! WELL DONE JODZ, you are amazing. What an accomplishment! I remember when I met her she was on day 6 and in just a short amount of time she is just non stop smiling - so good to see! 

Well Done Miss Jodi!

Ohhhh Camel....I love you! For second set I decided to really concentrate on pushing my chest to the ceiling and then Seema asks us to hold it for as long as we could and at that point I went into the most relaxing breath - my eyes were dead still, chest up, hips forward, palms gripping my heals and it was just a moment I felt comfortable in the posture. Ohh I want to do that again! Thank goodness for second set!

Half Tortoise Pose - Ardha Khurmasana - If you watch this video that is linked here << you can see how the posture is done. There is a common mistake that people will just fall right into this posture. The key is to look up chin up at yourself in the mirror (like we do in standing separate stretching pose) and go down slowly until our forehead touches then our hands touch with only the pinkies on the ground as we stretch out. I will admit I used to actually just "chillout" during this posture but now I actively lengthen my back, strengthen my arms and tighten my core and push my butt down into my heels. Now I can feel it all over and can finally appreciate what this posture can do for you.  

One guy at work today said he could never come to hot yoga because he isn't flexible enough - for anyone who thinks the same...DONT THINK THAT! When I started I was useless, I could touch my toes but that was it. This yoga pushes your body pass any limitations and you end up finding your self with a stronger mind and doing postures you never dreamt of doing. It is for anyone and everyone. I am very passionate about this yoga mainly cause I have noticed in myself what it has done for me and you cant blame for me wanting to share it with everyone I know. 

Handstand February with Regi Seema and Roberta (I forgot to tuck my butt in)

Not long now until I am in Melbourne and Avalon - I am so excited.

Until tomorrow x

ALix x 

Day 8 28.01.13

9.30am (SM)

Summers Day of rain and ummmmm no power!

Day 8 has me at the studio nice and early for our Australia day weekend and a morning class with a close friend of mine all the way from Toronto.

Paul from our team here at Bonfire thought it would be a good idea to put everyone on the right side of the class as there was only a small amount of people practicing and it worked out really well. We only had one newbie and he will great considering the heat was bonkers!

I felt dizzy coming out the second set of Standing Separate Leg Stretching so I had to take a knee but that posture is one of my favourite cause I love the intense stretching in the back of my thighs. One thing I need to do is buy new yoga crop tops because at the moment Im wearing cheapo crop tops from Kmart or something and they dont soak up sweat well it just ends up becoming too wet and when Im doing a posture like Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee pose the sweat just drips into my nose and I feel like I am drowning haha silly I know but I cant quite work pass the drowning part of my practice :)
I have on and off days and today was slightly off for my forward bends. Standing Head to Knee on my right side is always a struggle in the first set and in the second thats when I like to kick out. Today I felt tight on both sides which is strange cause my left side I can normally kick out on the first set right away. Thing to do is, is to always listen to the body and just go to where your body can take you. There is Good Pain and Bad Pain - so just LISTEN and Breathe - there is no ego in Yoga !

Tips on Standing Bow

I am feeling a bit tired right now (5.50pm) which could have to do with the lack of sleep (no power = no fan) and we still dont have power so I am enjoying being here at the studio and being able to charge my phone.

I am grateful that this yoga has opened up a new world for me and that it has taught me so much. If there was one thing I could share with a newbie is, if you stick it out you will gain so much from this both physically but more so mentally.

Until tomorrow x

ALix

Day 7 - Master Class

8.00am (AT)

One week done and dusted! Wahoooooooo Party Time....the yoga way! (which means water haha)

Wow what a fun week it has been! I seriously didn't think I would feel this good after a 7 days straight, it actually makes me think I could possibly do a 60 day challenge after this one (Ill revisit this after 30days).

So its still raining here in Brisbane which is great cause we definitely need it but somehow it makes the room super humid. Today we had a 2hour Master Class with the great Dr A. Back in December we did the first half of this Master Class which was going into detail about the standing series postures and then smashing out the floor series. Today was opposite - we smashed the standing series and chose two postures from the floor series to discuss in length.

In the standing series I didn't feel as warm as normal and my lower back felt a bit strained so my back bend in Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon pose) felt like nothing but I still squeezed tight and attempted it anyways.
One thing that always sticks in the back of my mind is "Its human to fall out but its yogi to try again" so when I have fallen out of that posture (mostly Triangle) I say this to myself as a kick in my own butt! Actually that reminds me, today in Triangle I did both sides and didn't fall out..holy crap! How did I forget that? After all these classes I am finally learning to concentrate on turning my hip more to be able to sit in my bent leg. Work in progress......

I have just remembered some pain I used to experience that I don't get anymore. A year into this practice I would always without fail get a cramp feeling on the outside of my feet after Eagle and it would last until Tree, so doing Separate Leg Head to Knee I would always come out cause of the pain in my feet. I just realised recently that I haven't had that cramping feeling in my feet - I wonder when it stopped? Happy its not there anymore thou!

CAMEL USTRASANA - a lot of people don't particularly like this posture but I think after a while you begin to love it. I personally love it for a number of reasons:
1) we don't bend backwards enough in our every day lives
2) its a HUGE challenge to calm the breath when you're backwards with your head below your heart and
3) once you come out and lay in savasana I feel my body melt below ground level and its feels sooo bloody awesome!

Today Dr A gave me and Hollie (soon to be in teacher training and an inspiring young lady I only met today) a Hot Yoga MasterClass book by Gabrielle Raiz who does Hot Yoga teacher training in South America. This is now my new bible. I don't know when I will be able to do teacher training but I know it is definitely something I want to pursue. I am at my happiest when at the studio more so than my own work place.

I got in a little quick practice of my headstands and back bends and they are feeling good at the moment.

I have my friend Brooke joining me on her 30 day Challenge from Tuesday so Im looking forward to seeing her around.

Looking forward to tomorrow already.

Until tomorrow x

ALix x

Day 5

530pm (SM) 

HAPPY FRIDAY my sweaty Yoginis!

Day 5....omg where has the week gone. Since starting this challenge the days have gone so fast. Work has been a drag but the thing that makes me happy is knowing Ill be at yoga in the evening where I just feel at home. I love it! 

Tonight was a real nice class, once again I couldn't feel the heat but I still sweated like a mofo. As I said I would I set up in different spots in the room and tonight I was in the third row left next to a newbie - I think the universe put her there to test my strength and boy she did. 

Postures I felt I progressed in:

Half Moon - Ardha-Chandrasana - This felt amazing tonight. At the end of the  dialogue when the teacher says to go deeper into the posture I felt I did that tonight without turning my hips and just stood there breathing, it felt awesome. 

Balancing Stick - Tuladandasana - Oh boy...this is 10seconds of my life I die in. Who would think 10seconds standing like a "Standing T like Tom, not a broken umbrella" would bring your heart rate up sooooo much. Works magic! 

Well not too much to report on tonight but it was a great class with alot of regular faces. 

Im off to the 6am class tomorrow so I can have the whole day to rest. Its raining so we know tomorrow after class Ill be on the couch all day resting :) 

Until tomorrow x 

ALix x

 

Day 2 & 3 - 22-23.01.13

Tuesday 630pm (SB)Wednesday 700pm (SM)

Oh goodness....I have too much energy tonight. Im going to start showing what time I do class and the teachers initials so when I look back on this blog I will know who I had. 

So I missed out last night on my blog cause I wanted to sleep instead. So DAY 2 class was a burner and such a challenge. It wasnt as packed at Monday night but the heat was definitely there to kick my butt. 

I had the same teacher as Monday night which was great because I seemed to enjoy her class more so that night. Her story of how she got into yoga is very interesting and how she got into teaching is an emotional one..Im really glad I asked her cause it inspired me even more to want to become a teacher of this yoga..Ohhh one day!!

I dont remember how I went on postures which is why I need to blog right after class :(. 

I chose to be at the front row left corner Tuesday night and feel the heat on that side of the room is double to the left or that could just be a silly thought in my head. 

• Supta - Vajrasana posture is one I want to learn more on is as I dont feel much happening in this so I need to talk to my teachers to see what I need to improve on. 
• Trikonasana is still a weak one for me but still working on my inner thigh strength. 
• Ardha Candrasana with Pada-Hastasana backbend is still a work in progress. I just need to remember to always push my chest up with the backbend part.

Day 3 - 700pm (SM)

Happy Hump Day - Hip Hip Hoorayy!!

Today was kind of long - I had my PT sesh at the gym at 545am - work then Yoga. I had a full on day at work with meetings and minutes so coming to class tonight was going to be interesting, I didnt know if my body would smash out the class or crumble to the ground....turned out to be a fun class. I had a friend who I will call Mama; (haha if she reads this) who set me right up in front of the teachers podium next to her. Maybe a bad idea but it was fun. In Full Locust Pose we were trying to push each other to the ground when we were meant to be "flying"..great times. 

Anyways..the room wasnt as hot, I couldnt feel the heat but I still ended up having a nice sweat puddle under my feet. I need to work on my floor bow - my knees and ankles are not staying in line and it seems super hard to bring them in line...what am I doing wrong?

Newbies....Ohhhhh Newbiesss....I absolutely love them. All the newbies we've had this week, every one of them have come out with a smile on their face and it was good to talk to them to see their reasons for trying this yoga out and how they found class. A few have had previous injuries and Im so glad they have discovered this yoga because they will soon see how it can heal your body in ways you didnt know would be possible. 

One thing people dont really know is that it is a cardio workout. Your heart rate goes like so quick and you end up burning maybe 500-700 calories per class (approx). 

All I want to do is have all my friends try this at least once...its so addictive and good for your Mind Body and Soul. 

Im sorry I dont have much information as yet...I am strapped for time at nights now but on weekends I will write more. 

Until tomorrow x

ALix  

My fellow Yoginis (Day 1)

Day 1 - Monday 21.01.13

Ohhhh boy am I pumped and excited to finally say DAY ONE wahoooo! 

This marks the first time Ive ever started a challenge to better myself for greater health. 

So after my class on Saturday afternoon where I didnt do a single thing after the water break and throwing up (I wont blame the eclipse breath-mint I took before class) I didnt know how I was going to go tonight but as always I surprsingly had a fantastic class. There were some challenges though - there was a new teacher I'd never had before and she spoke too quick which is Ok for me but I felt the newbies would of been a bit frazzled, people were talking before class and during postures.  

There were all the regular Monday crowd which made for good entertainment after class but I love how during class we are all so in our zones and just each working through our own challenges and come out of class sharing jokes and laughing. I really love seeing their faces.

I didnt find the room too hot tonight but I overheard others saying it was crazy hot so Im guessing my position in the room made a difference - I will play around with different spots in the room over these next 29 classes and let you know. I am going to attempt to not have coffee over the course of this challenge also and just drink tea for now (oh goodness help me).

I spoke to Jodi who is 15days into her 30day challenge and she said she is feeling run down and drained but she is having such great progress with cutting her smoking right down, no coffee and no sugar so its interesting to hear how she is going. 

"Yoga isnt about touching your toes, its about what you learn on the way down there" 

Until tomorrow :)

ALix x

Let the Sweat Scratch your Itch

Class 4 for the week...

I am getting so excited and just a little bit nervous for this challenge. Ive been talking to a lady at Yoga who is currently about 2 weeks into her 30 day challenge and she loves it, she has even stopped coffee for the challenge (that’s something I may have difficulty with). Sometimes think, Pffttt this will be easy but then after doing 4 classes this week already I can feel different parts of my body hurting more than usual.

Last nights class was amazing. I wasn’t planning on doing class because I was super tired but after helping some new students with their mat set up and feeling the warmth of the room, I couldn’t help myself. I told my teacher, who has become a very good friend, that I was heading in and so she insisted I setup right up front (damn it). The room was already pre-heated from the class beforehand so feeling the sweat drip off me in pranayama breathing felt amazing.

Talking about sweat,  last night it was CAH-RAZZZZ-YYY. I am now comfortable to practice in a sports bra and when I was in Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose the sweat was like rain on the floor in front of me, it was dripping off every part of my body, I couldn’t believe it! Come to Rabbit Pose and the sweat was flooding out my nose…it was just uncontrollable last night – but I still enjoyed the class  and all the beginners came out smiling which is always great to see.  

One posture I had fun with last night was Standing Forehead to Knee. This posture has taken me 1.5 years to master and last night for the first time I was able to bring my forehead down knee (left side) and hold it and not fall out. For some reason I find it difficult to kick out on my right side so I tend to try full expression on my left (I think I have one side of my body longer than the other) so that is one thing I want to be able to fix by the end of the challenge. I find this is the best pose to test your balance because holding your foot at 90 degrees for one minute with a locked knee is very challenging.

One Week Out

Good Evening, Its 950pm on a Monday night. I have just got home and ready for bed after an express class tonight. I had such an amazing class tonight that I feel the need to get some words out. 

I am so grateful to be apart of a studio that has so much love. I have made many new friends, from fellow workers, to new teachers that come and go and the best of all the other students who have the same passion as I do and I just LOVE to sit and talk to them to hear their experiences that this yoga has given them. My friends think I am a bit over enthuses when I get on the topic of Yoga so I find it exciting to speak with others about it. 

Some days I don't think I will be alright to do class because I didn't get enough sleep or that I have sore muscles - I have even eaten before class on purpose to try and tell the teacher "I cant do class I just ate", to just get told "you will be fine just push through", turns out I was OK and survived, but no matter what excuses I come up with I always find myself at the studio and having some break through during class (too bad I cant high-five anyone during class because that's what I feel like doing sometimes).

As many teachers will tell you before commencing class "set your intention for your 90 minute open eye meditation", I then tell myself which posture I want to kick-ass in. Today was Triangle because it has been giving me such trouble since before Christmas. I have had a slightly sore back all day at work and I thought for sure I would have a below average class but then my body got in that hot room and just melted with happiness dripping sweat by half moon and I was able to finally get into Triangle and hold the posture on both sides for the full minute. Hallelujah!!!!

I have spoken to a few regulars at the studio trying to get the word around for people to join me on this 30 day challenge and so far I have recruited 3 others so I can imagine the fun we will have. 

"Give me 30 days and I will change your body - Give me 60 days and I will change your life" - Bikram  Choudhury.

 Trikanasana - Triangle Pose

10 days until it begins...

Well it was only last week that a friend of mine (Brooke) said she was interested in doing a 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge so it got me thinking instead of doing another term of Aerial Yoga I should jump on-board and challenge myself to a 30day Bikram Yoga Challenge also.

So the date is set...I will begin from 21^st January 2013 through to 19^th February 2013 which is the day before I head to Melbourne for my trip.

I have been practicing this type of yoga on and off for the past 2 years now but more so over the past year. I am very lucky I get my yoga for free so it’s only smart that I make the most of it. I have been reading and watching blogs online to get an idea of what to expect and also talking to my teachers at the studio.

Since speaking about this to others around me surprisingly 2 people from the studio and another friend are also going to take part in the challenge. There will be such great support amongst everyone that it really excites me.

I know we will be pushing each other every day and it will be a great little network to speak to each other about our challenges and to PUSH AND MOTIVATE!!

I will be doing my classes at Bonfire Hot Yoga studios where all the teachers are Bikram trained and teach beautifully.

Yoga is the perfect vehicle for change of yourself. First by creating a strong and powerful body and mind. It is a starting point from which you can begin to realize your human spirit.

— Bikram Choudhury