30 DAYS OF BLISS...#15 HALF WAY THERE!!!!

Happy Day 15!! I’ve made it half way through. I know I said I would blog everyday…but life is just too busy these days so I’m going to make an effort to blog when I can. Today was a special class because it my half way mark and I am proud of myself! My body is starting to change, and also hurt. Little injuries are starting to arise that I’m becoming more watchful over. I was actually told this was going to happen. In the past I’ve practiced yoga for LONG periods of time and for many days, but never for 30 days straight without rest. I will keep going until I reach my goal of 30 days. I am still excited as day 1. Today I decided to do an 830pm class instead of the morning classes. So far all the classes I’ve gone to have been 90minutes and before noon. I wanted to see if there was going to be noticeable differences between the two. I can honesty tell you that the energy level is the same. I’m tired in the am, and I’m just as tired after a long day as well. Having said that my balance is ON POINT in the evening! Definitely 90% better. It could be the fact I’ve been moving all day and my muscles and feet have been worked, or it could be that maybe my body isn’t as tired as 6am. Either way it was great to do full tree and dancers and feel that full stretch! A big difference between am and pm classes is my mind. I am all in my head at night. In the morning, although I’m a vivid dreamer, I don’t have much to really think about as not much has happened before 6am so I find it easier to let my thoughts come and go. At night I’ve had a full day of talking to people, planning things, having fun and enjoying life…all I do is think! I found it very hard to just let go and be present today. Muscle wise my body stretches better and further in the evening than the morning and I have a feeling I’ll be sleeping much better tonight than other nights. Overall I’m glad I chose to do this evening class as it gave me a chance to really see what I need to work on and what I’d like to work on. It always comes down to being present in the moment. Tuning in and working on just being me and letting everything just be. The teacher said something to the class that really resonated with me. Yoga is about patients! I REALLY believe this and feel this deserves its own blog. Stay tuned. Have a great rest of your night…Here’s to another amazing 15 days ahead!

30 DAYS OF BLISS... #5,6 &7

It’s been a week since I’ve started the 30 day Yoga Challenge! I realize I’ve only blogged 4 times, but life and work around me got busy and there just wasn’t any time left to blog. Another reason was because nothing really happened to blog about. My body is working hard and the only difference is I'm a lot more tired at night. Maybe with the time change and the 90 mins every am, it's all catching up to me; however, I’ve continued with it and so far I’m very proud of myself! It’s taken me 7 days to get my Chutarunga’s (high plank to low push up to floor) back to complete form and strength. It’s taken me 7 days to get the flexibility in my hamstrings back. It’s taken 7 days for my Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (pigeon pose) to feel good again and overall it’s taken me 7 days to feel comfortable with my entire yoga flow. I really do have to say I love the fact my body is young and strong enough to bounce back in such a short period of time. I’m looking forward to seeing where my mind, body and spirit will be at the end of my 30 days. Today the teacher fixed my foot during pigeon pose and asked me to bring the top of my foot to the mat. I did it even though I’ve be trained and taught NOT to because of the protection it serves. For a moment I had to step out of myself and my pride and think about myself as a teacher. If I was a teacher leading a Hatha, Anusara inspired practice and one of my students had done pigeon pose the Moksha way I would have suggested to curl their toes under…after that it’s really the students responsibility to move into the posture they feel works best for them. That’s all the teacher is doing, suggesting. There really is no right or wrong as everyone’s body is different and works in different ways. I’m sure if I had mentioned something to the teacher she would have understood why I choose to move through the poster my way. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to blog EVERY day but I will certainly try! Here’s to another exciting week ahead!

30 DAYS OF BLISS... #4

So far in the 3 classes of Moksha yoga I’ve been to, no instructors I’ve had the pleasure to flow with correct or aid a student during a pose and/or flow. They don’t touch, or correct anyone. This isn’t wrong in anyway, as most of us were taught to only use touch or guidance with a student when comfortable and given permission by the student themselves. Personally I like when a teacher gives me guidance or advice during my flow and even shows me a way to benefit more from the posture. I take it with an open heart because I know as a teacher myself they’re only trying to better my practice. Today we had an instructor who was very in tune with each of her students. There were only about 8 of us so it’s easy to reach each student physically and/or mentally. I liked her immediately because of her teaching style and her personal style. She had amazing long blonde and brown hair with tattoos everywhere! Gorgeous yoga inspired tattoos too. It was hard to pay attention to anything else as she walked by as she was so colourful. There’s a difference in each style of yoga and how you’re taught to flow from downward dog, plank, chutarunga and cobra or upward dog. She definitely noticed my Hatha, Anusara inspired background and helped me flow through the Moksha flow. There are subtle differences but they do make a big difference! Ones that my body aren’t use to so it woke up a whole new set of muscles. Tomorrow’s my last 6am class and I’ll get a nice break over the weekend where my classes can start later around 10 or noon. I do have to admit when I got home this morning at 730am and realized it was garbage day and had forgotten to put the garbage out the night before, there was ONE more reason I was thankful for early am classes.