Day 9 of Challenge (60/60), Class # 11 – Chugging Along

Today was Day 9 and Class 11 of the 60/60. I am chugging along and so happy I decided to sign up for the Challenge. It is really a great goal and a tough one at that. After the double class yesterday, I was so hungry. I ate like a maniac. Just as predicted I slept so hard and almost felt disoriented when I got up this morning.

I was indecisive about which class to take today. I wanted to make sure to get all my housework done and pack and get some paper work done for my job. Also I definitely wanted to spend some quality time with my hubby and kids since I would be gone until Thursday. This is what makes the challenge the hardest. Balancing real life demands and the yoga. Part of me just wants to focus solely on the yoga and let everything else just figure itself out. The ruling part of me knows that is not feasible at this point in my life. One thing I do know, Bikram Yoga makes everything else balance out for me. I seem to know how to juggle all the balls better in my life when I take class consistently, like in this 60/60.

I finally decided on the 2pm class at the West End Studio so I could get some cleaning, packing, and paperwork out of the way. I figured it wouldn’t be hanging over my head in class and I could focus and be more present in class. The dilemma of the 2pm class is whether to eat lunch or not and what to eat.  Today I thought back to the other classes where I was miserable from eating the wrong things before class. I chose to eat a banana and a few sunchips and sweet potato chips. I am glad  I did that instead of having a big heavy lunch.

I took a shower right before class again because it is so refreshing to go into class right from a shower for some reason. I noticed on my daily “body check” that my butt looked a little bit perkier even with my crazy eating. This is so awesome… the 60/60 is working people!

When I got to the studio, I saw Becca was teaching and I ran into Laura, the Yogini I signed up with. I was so happy to see her and be next to her in class today. I also had other familiar faces in class today which was so great, I knew it would be a great class! The class was pleasantly hot today if that makes any sense. It was the perfect proportion of humidity and heat!  It also wasn’t crazy busy today in the 2pm so I could really focus and not get distracted. Sometimes I can’t help myself and I peek around here and there when class is busier. Not sure why I do that but I am working on controlling that better.

In the locker room before class, I ran into a couple of Yoginis that just finished up doing doubles at the 10am and 12pm class. It was fun talking with them about the different experiences between the two back to back classes. One thing in particular is the sweat you have in the first and second class. For some reason it is different. One of the teachers mentioned it has something to do with detoxifying your skin completely. (Sounds good to me! Another reason to do Bikram Yoga.)

Before class Laura was doing back bends against the wall and Kara was doing a headstand and Matt was doing some advance posture. It was so fun to watch them and see how amazing the human body is. One of these days I will be able to accomplish that back bend.  I even talked with Laura about it after class and she said, “It’s easy! Don’t worry if you fall it doesn’t hurt.” OK that is the way to look at it… It’s easy! I am thinking it is more about the mindset and attitude than physical abilities. It’s like when a new person comes into class that may be older or not in shape and they can get through the postures no problem, and then you have a very athletic person that is totally fit and this person leaves the room before the class is over. That alone tells you it is mental!

I am happy to report I had a fantastic class today! The only bad thing that happened was sweat poured into my nose during a couple of the bending over postures and I felt like I was in the ocean when a wave takes you down and you feel that saltwater get into your nose and throat. That is the only way I can describe how it felt. Yuck! This can be a downside to all the sweat. For some reason the sweat decides to find your nose, eyes, and ears and pour into them at the worst time.

After class I felt invigorated but a soreness definitely deep in my butt and legs. I look at this as a good thing because I know the Yoga is working! I was definitely ready for some food so I decided to be good and eat healthy at Whole Foods. See below at my yummy healthy picks:

 Then I got a phone call from my Hubby telling me he was at Krispy Kreme with the kids. So I couldn’t avoid my absolute favorite kind of doughnut:

 The Chocolate Covered Boston Creme! YUMMMM!

Ok, there has to be balance right? So I had healthy meal and then I had a treat! I am working on allowing myself treats here and there because it is important enjoy all that life has to offer and FOOD is definitely one of them! Well I am have to get up at 4am to take a 6:30am Flight to Dallas, TX. I will be excited to write about my Bikram Yoga experience there.

Namaste Peeps!