Day 5 of Challenge (60/60), Class #6 ~ BEST CLASS!

I had to rush to an early morning work meeting so I barely had time to chug down my E3 live supplement ( I forgot to mention, it tastes like you took a handful of grass or plant life and ate it) and chased it with Naked Juice (Green Machine is my favorite). I did have a surprise email waiting for me asking permission to post my blog to the Bikram Yoga of Richmond website. This is so exciting and I am very honored! The blog was initially just a way for me to keep track of the 60/60 and also to keep myself honest on following through. It is a bonus to entertain and help others with it. Please feel free to post comments at the bottom of my blog entries. I love reading what other people think about my experiences, and I love to hear about your experiences as well. It is a journey for sure and sharing the journey makes it even sweeter.

One funny thing I find myself doing more and more during the day is “locking my knee”.  Lock your knee is a big thing in Bikram Yoga. It is where you tighten, squeeze all your leg muscles in turn making your knee lock. The muscle above your knee actually goes up and you get this crease right above the knee socket. Also from doing this your butt automatically tightens as well, so you get a good butt workout at the same time. This all sounds pretty easy but it is actually a tough thing to do and continually do throughout the whole class. So I have been working on it outside of class, out of habit mostly. I think it is helping me during class and I figure the extra butt/leg tightening can never hurt.

I managed to have a decent lunch – egg white sandwich and had another shot of E3live before class just in case. I have to admit I was a little weary before class tonight because I got the inevitable late afternoon sleepies. I shook it off and grabbed all my gear (three bags containing, mat, yoga towel, towel for washing face, towel for after, frozen water, purse… I look like a homeless bag lady heading toward the building everyday.) I am sure the people next door at Big Al’s Restaurant and Bar are wondering WTF.  Do you think I  care? Hell to the no! I gotta get my peace. Let no one steal your peace. That is what they say in Yoga class. “No Yoga, No Peace…. Know Yoga, Know Peace” – That’s right my friends!

I start revving up my engine, meaning getting myself pumped for class so I don’t let my sleepies get the best of me. I got to class about 20 minutes before it started which is usually pretty early in my opinion. I was surprised to see it was already packed! Whew, I got my trusted good ole mirror spot toward the right of the room in hopes that Lisa would be right next to me and send me her energy. Jim was in my rear view tonight and he is doing the 60/60 too.  I bumped into Lisa in the locker room as she was changing and she mentioned her mat was on the other side that night. I quickly said, ” You must move your mat next me! I need your positive vibes tonight.” To my delight she did and I had the BEST Class ever! Thank you my Yoga sister, Lisa!

I also ran into super bendy girl from the other night that was in my rear view (the one that did the advance posture in the 2 pose of Camel). Tonight I made it a point to introduce myself and her name is Elizabeth. She brought a friend tonight and come to find out it was actually a 3rd date! How cool is that? I asked her if this was a weeding out process. What a fantastic idea right? Well apparently she went to the shooting range with him on their 2nd date so it was her turn to bring him to something she was passionate about. Also I found out she is a Yoga teacher, but not Bikram Yoga. She teaches at Ohm Yoga studio off Grove and Libbie in Richmond. I thought to myself, ah ha… that is why she was so extra stretchy and bendy. (Secretly it made me feel better since she is a professional and all.)

Jackie was the teacher tonight and she had a fabulous new hair do. Funny how we become a big family in this yoga since we see each other so much. Bikram Yoga of Richmond is truly a welcoming and wonderful place to have as a home studio. I feel very lucky and blessed. I know others feel that way about their home studios as well. Maybe it is something about the Yoga…

Jackie announced at the beginning of class that she had her extra shot of espresso in her drink from Starbucks tonight before class, so I knew we were in for a fun ride. It was extra “juicy” hot tonight but it really felt awesome. It helped my muscles relax and I was able to get into the postures much deeper. I also was able to hold Standing Bow the whole time on the second time around. Amazing since I haven’t done that in ages. Let’s just say I had a super duper awesome class tonight and I can not wait for tomorrow.

After class the studio was packed and buzzing like usual. So the quietness of last night was definitely a rare thing. I decided on a shiny purple sticker for the Challenge Chart tonight. I stood back and enjoyed looking at all 6 stickers in a row with no spaces. (very silly but you have to get your kicks somewhere right?)

Driving home tonight I saw the most beautiful sunset and I just felt blessed and energized! Thank the Lord for Bikram Yoga!!

Namaste Peeps!