Day 37 of Challenge (60/60), Classes #38 & #39 ~ World Champions + 1st Advanced Class Ever Peeps!

After taking the Class and Seminar on Saturday with the World Champions I wanted more. I made the decision to come back and pull the trigger and take the Advanced Clinic after the 9am Class on Sunday at Stony Point. Another bonus would be I would get a double class in that day and get ahead one more class for the Challenge (60/60). I am really trying to bank some days because  I know the Thanksgiving Holiday will be here soon enough and I don’t want to be forced to take doubles the last week of November.

The night before I prepped everything to leave early in the morning. One good thing is the time changed so I got an extra hour of sleep. Thank goodness because I ended up staying up way too late and really needed that extra hour of sleep. I really didn’t know what to expect from the Advanced Class but at least I would have familiar faces in there. Laura takes Advanced regularly and told me don’t worry you will be fine. I also resigned myself to sitting out and watching most of it since I know that most of the postures are way too “advanced” for me at this point. On the other hand, you have to start somewhere and I know everyone that is taking now had to start from something right?

When I got to the studio for the regular class at 8:35am for the 9am class it was already jam packed. I squeezed my mat in the front right by the podium and then realized I would be right there where the Champions would be teaching and my mat right behind Joseph’s mat. I had to put my game face on and do my best. The class once again was taught in Japanese and English and once again it was such a treat to experience. The room was so hot today for some reason, I think there were more people taking class this time and also it just seemed so much more humid and hot compared to the Saturday class. I pushed through and really worked hard but in the back of mind I knew I was staying for the Advanced class so I tried to save some juices for that class. Toward the end of class I was getting into savasana (corpse pose) and Joseph tapped me on the head with my water bottle which was right below the podium. It’s so great that he and Yukari both are so normal and real and easy to be around.

Between classes I rushed and changed and got my snacks I brought to refuel before the Advanced Class. I managed to talk Katherine into staying despite her car being stolen yesterday. She was supposed to be at the Saturday seminar too but she was trying to figure out what had happened to her car. I am glad she got to stay and experience it with me. It felt good to have a buddy that had never gone through the Advanced Class before with me. We were both munching away in the lobby area waiting for class to begin and we were able to chat with Joseph and Yukari a bit before class and they shared some of my crackers and grapes. I am so glad I brought them because everyone was definitely hungry. Looking back I wish I had brought a bunch more with me for everyone. I will remember that next time we have a seminar.

When we started the Advanced Class it was nothing like the beginning regular class we take. It was more casual and much quicker. There are 84 postures in the Advanced Series. You do some of the beginners postures but most of it is the crazy stretchy bendy stuff. I was only able to do about 1/10 of the class but it was so cool to be there and learning something completely new. Joseph even helped me get into my first headstand ever! I was so excited and Laura also got it on video. She is sending to me so I will post it once I get a hold of it.

Here are some pictures of the regular Advanced Class practitioners. It is so inspiring to watch and also to know they were newbies at one point. This means one day for me I too can be at this level. (I say one day meaning it could be in another lifetime peeps.)

Kelly and Garland doing a crazy back bend into a pose I don't know the name of

I was in the back of the room trying to attempt whatever poses I could during the class. There was even a little kid that came with his mom and he also tried a few poses here and there. It was cute to see him and his attentiveness in class.

Kelly and Garland doing headstands - Amazing!

I ended up getting really bad cramps in class even after drinking water and taking two coconut waters. I think I was just depleted from it all. The advanced series is definitely demanding physically in a different way. It really is a crazy strength workout as well as stretching workout. This is why people that get into this series are crazy buffed. I was so sore after taking class.

I ended up leaving class before it ended but it was almost 2pm and I had been there since 8:30ish. I needed to get some nutrients into my body and also get home to the family. I am glad I went though and experienced this class. I definitely am intrigued now about the whole Advanced Class.

Who knows, maybe next year this time I will be able to actually get through all 84 postures. Ok, maybe that is a lofty goal but at least I can aim for that right?

Namaste Peeps!