Category: yoga

Shaving Time Off the 60

gr4c53 Comments

Time

Again, I didn’t want to lie around in corpse poses for an hour so, today’s yoga was a modified 60 minute Lee routine (Om Yoga Today, 2004). Modified because I didn’t want to practice calming breaths, alternating nostrils. I wanted to sit quietly for a few minutes, and then get to work, as they say. I didn’t want to spend too long in the poses that are foreign to my figure. Let’s face it, I’m not ready for hanging out in Warrior iii (balance issues), four limb (upper body strength issues), or wheel (back issues) for very long. I need to become reacquainted with flexibility, strength and confidence before I mingle too long with those poses.
I did enjoy the sequences of the warriors: power -> swan -> forward bend (into flat back) -> jump back to four limbs -> upward dog -> down dog -> warrior i -> warrior iii -> warrior i -> warrior ii -> side angle -> triangle -> warrior ii (etc etc). It was a smooth, flowing sequence that I can imagine looking very beautiful once I “master” iii and jumping back into perfect position for the next pose. I feel like I am constantly adjusting my feet and hands between poses. Squirmy.

Last night I did inversions again for 30 minutes and had the best and worst time. Best because I was balancing better. Worst because, just when I found my teeter totter center, something external would send me toppling. First, it was the phone. Then, it was the cat, crying at the door. But, I’m getting better at avoiding grubby footprints on the wall. That’s always a good thing.

Today’s practice involved a dabbling of inversions, too: forearm stand, headstand, shoulder stand & plow. Plow is probably my pet. I could stay there for hours. I love the stretch, I love the laziness of the posture. I only question the feet..or the toes. Flat on the floor or curled? Of course, Lee’s stick figures don’t even have feet. I’ll have to consult the bible.

Om Yoga Today

gr4c5Leave a comment

Lee, Cyndi. Om Yoga Today. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2004.

Lotus

I jumped to Om Yoga Today because Sunday’s sequence from Om Yoga dull to me. I didn’t relish the idea of spending time in “restorative poses” first thing in the morning, especially since Lee suggests staying in each pose for 15-20 minutes. Yikes…or maybe Yawn.

So, Om Yoga Today it was. It’s Sunday and I had the time so I jumped to the 30 minute sequence (p60). I loaded up Yungchen Lhamo into the stereo and settled in. True to Lee form every pose was demonstrated in stick. Luckily, I picked up another yoga book with photos to supplement the stick and clear the confusion (review coming later). The best thing about OYT is the clear direction for repeating certain sequences. In the 30 minute session my favorite moves were side extended angle and star pose. The poses I *still* need to work on are pigeon (I found a perfect blanket to use for support) and half moon. I know I’m not as half as I should be. I think I’m more a quarter moon, waxing or waning, I’m not sure.
Today’s yoga sequence was perfect for today. I think I’ll call it my Sunday Sequence. B+

Inversion Invasion

gr4c52 Comments

headstandI wasn’t sure I would get to yoga today…or that yoga would get to me. The weekends are going to be a little tough, I can tell. But, we connected, yoga and moi. Today was all about inversions. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t done a handstand since…not sure when. Let’s put it this way – I’m sure my last inversion wasn’t a yoga related move! Om Yoga describes inversions as, “the king and queen of all asanas” (p.95). Okay, I’m game. Again, I’m not going to outline the sequence; it’s just way too long – four pages. Most of it is prep for the actual inversions: forearm stand, handstand, L-shaped handstand, headstand, shoulder stand, and plow. I have three words for tonight’s practice: childish, guilty and fun! Childish because getting into the poses was half the fun. I was smiling if not giggling. Guilty because I imagined my grubby footprints on the cream colored wall behind me. Fun because I found I could get myself up and even balance for a few seconds without the wall. I was encouraged. This was my first time trying this sequence so it can only get better. Right?

Hip Therapy

gr4c52 Comments

Ask and you shall receive, even if you’re not sure it’s what you want. Doesn’t that translate to Be Careful What You Wish For Because You Might Get It? That’s what happened at Now & Zen Yoga last night. In the morning I was whining about losing my hip flexibility so what did we work on in class? Yup, hips! I could be complaining to be facing my humility for the second time in a day, but that’s like going to a therapy session and talking about the weather. No bang for the buck. Know what I mean? No, this therapy session was all about facing what humbled me most. Facing it dead on. I am appreciative of the “bowl story”. It helped me visualized where I want to be and to respect what isn’t. Once again I am grateful for time in face to face class.

This morning’s “Lee Session” was about back bending. I had to smirk when I read, “Our daily activities such as driving or working at a computer invite us to round our shoulders….slouch in our seats.” (Om Yoga p.81) Okay, didn’t I just hear that in class last night? There’s that bang for buck again.
I had a hard time with this series. It might have been that I woke at 5am and couldn’t get back to bed. When I finally did, I had dreams of my father. They rattle me and always will. By the time the alarm went off proper I was exhausted and unmotivated. Even this Lee-described “cultivate joy” sequence couldn’t get me out of the funk. However, having said all that I did discover two, no three postures I would like to concentrate on: shoulder stretch (I think I’ve seen it described as “cow face”?), pigeon and pigeon with thigh (king pigeon?). Pigeon was just plain disastrous. My straight leg felt…well, mangled, for lack of a better word. I didn’t stay in the pose for very long because I felt it was all wrong-wrong-wrong, even though I am noticeably more fluid to the left. So, today’s yoga was a C-. Maybe I’ll come home tonight and practice some of the trickier things I learned at Now & Zen.

Humility is Thursday’s Child

gr4c5Leave a comment

Despite popular belief, Thursday is Humility Day.
I used to be flexible. No, take that back. Reeallly flexible. I didn’t have to work at getting my elbows on the floor from a standing forward bend. Backbends were child’s play. I was a natural rubberband. Imagine my surprise when I couldn’t get my nose within a foot of the floor during a straddle stretch. Ouch. No joke.

Today’s yoga was all about seated poses – Lee calls today a “tired” day (whatever that means, Om Yoga p.67) so most of the poses are done low to the ground, if not on the butt. I can handle that…or so I thought. I’m not going to spell out the sequence because it had more poses than the other days, but here’s where I had trouble: boat and straddle (anything having to do with straddle, actually). I enjoyed squat with prayer hands. I definitely could handle hanging out froglike, and I was just telling my husband last night I love the pose with the lunge and elbows to the floor, right by the foot (Ruth, help!). I don’t know what it’s called but I learned it at Now and Zen Yoga studio and I love, love, love it. BUT, big butt, I couldn’t get low in any of the straddle poses. There were eight total and I sucked at all of them. I want to blame my stiffMess on running. I’m wound tighter than Barbie’s appendages after a toddler’s done with her. The sad, sad, sad thing is I never realized it. Okay. Something to work on.

My only other complaint about today’s sequence – at first glance it looked complicated. Lee has a lot of “repeat poses 10-13, 17-19” etc in addition to “hold 14 for 5 breaths or repeat pose three times with two breaths (p.67).” I had to read thru it a few times and even then, when I got to the actual practice I forgot all about my choice for breath.

lunge

Wednesday Equilibrium

gr4c55 Comments

Balance

Today’s yoga was all about elusive, toe-gripping-to-keep-it balance. Finding it, losing it & triumphing it’s shaky return. Again and again. I was grateful for this sequence because it forced me to quiet my mind and really concentrate on holding the poses. A really good way to shake out disturbing dreams. I might take this “Wednesday” sequence out of order whenever my nocturnal musings take me to the nightmare extreme. It also brought me humor. Whenever I felt myself toppling over I let out a little giggle and set my sights on correcting (or over-correcting) the wobble.
Mountain -> mountain on tiptoe -> knee into chest -> tree -> warrior 3 -> warrior 1 -> warrior 1 straight leg -> lunge -> down dog split -> lunge -> prep for half moon -> half moon -> warrior 2 -> lunge -> down dog -> side plane -> down dog -> walk up to chair -> chair with twist -> mountain on tiptoe -> eagle -> mountain.

Of course I had problems with half moon & side inclined plane and I worried about form with warrior 3 & down dog split. But, next Wednesday will be easier.

Today is Fruitcake Toss Day. If ya got one, toss it.

PS~ Of course I have been writing daily about other things besides yoga, but I’m not sure those rants will make it here. I’m all about not causing trouble in 2007.

Tuesday is for Standing

gr4c5Leave a comment

Today’s daily yoga was all about standing poses. Strong standing. I’m liking the sequence because it really helped shake the cobwebs and rattle the internal alarm clock. I haven’t seen 7am since oh I don’t know when. Possibly before Christmas – at my sister’s when her son had us opening gifts at the crack of dawn. Actually, come to think of it, the sun wasn’t really up yet.
But, back to the practice. I think this sequence agrees with me because it is so graceful and moving from pose to pose really works. I’m not thinking Twister. Mountain -> standing forward -> lunge -> warrior 1 -> warrior 2 -> side angle -> straight leg warrior 2 -> triangle -> straddle -> warrior 2 into lunge -> down dog -> plank -> knees, chest, chin -> cobra -> childs -> down dog -> lunge -> standing forward -> chair/power -> mountain.
But, here’s the thing that’s always in the back of my mind – how’s my posture? Am I doing this right? I don’t have eyes in the back of my head, nor a teacher standing over me. No one to ease my feet into a more solid stance. I’ll be back to in-person personal on Thursday. Yay!

warrior

ps ~ today is “Run It Up The Flagpole Day”   Make of it what you will.

Om Yoga

gr4c52 Comments

Lee, Cyndi. Om Yoga. San Francisco: Chronicle. 2002.

Om YogaI picked up a few Cyndi Lee books to ward off falling off the practice yoga wagon. It all started when I went to a yoga instructor’s non-holiday party and ended up sharing stories of insecurity with another guest. We talked about being so out of practice, so out of shape that we were too intimidated, too insecure to go to class. How did one woman describe it? “You don’t go to class because you aren’t in shape. You don’t get in shape because you don’t go to class…and on and on.” It’s that job/experience dilemma. I decided I wanted to do something outside of class that will help me in class. Enter Cyndi Lee and her easy-easy books. I bought three.

This review is all about the “daily yoga” book because I started it today (being New Years Day and all). It’s simple to follow and very informative. I like that she requires a daily warm up. As with all routines, she walks you through every pose. Here’s Monday as an example: The sequence – Sun Salutation. The poses – Mountain-> standing forward bend -> lunge -> downward dog -> plank -> knees, chest, chin -> cobra -> child’s -> downward -> lunge -> standing forward bend -> powerful pose -> mountain. Lee requires the sequence be completed twice, paying attention to switch lunge legs each time. Each pose comes with a stick figure example that points out key body postures (lunge: “spine stays long, keep chest open” p33). Like I said, really easy to follow. One I get the sequence down, I won’t have to stare at the drawings for guidance.

My only complaints? First, sometimes the stick figures are hard to decipher. I’m not fond of Lee’s depiction of threading the needle, for example. If I were 100% clueless I would question the pose, “is this person kneeling or lying prone?” Second, Lee doesn’t use the Sanskrit terms for the poses. I really want to learn the proper names of things but I won’t do that reading Lee’s books.

Right Minded, Left Handed, Not Centered

gr4c55 Comments

Last night was another night of yoga. My husband said I’m starting a trend. I replied, “once is a fluke, twice is a coincidence, three times is a dynasty. A trend is when I can get someone else hooked with me.” He laughed back at me. Seriously, I have not returned to  my practice until I simply cannot live without it. For right now, it’s a craving, a search for calm in a sea of frantic. The frenzy of festivities has me worked up, for sure. I want to get to that point when I love my practice more than I need it, if that makes any sense. That will happen. I’m getting back to good. I can feel it.
Last week was all about the thighs. This week my arms felt the burn. Almost everything we did last night was a reminder of how weak and off-balance I really am these days. Spiritually and physically. One armed plank balance was cool, but I learned even if I’m in my right mind, balanced on my left hand, I’m not centered. I have homework to do. I want to be cool, calm and collected to the core… with my core. Left hand where right hand was…yeah, right.

Chaturanga Dandasana
The other issue I had was during the pushups – the ole butt in the air, dip in the back thing…wrong, all wrong. I couldn’t get my back to straighten out no matter how I tried. It felt better to arch…the wrong way. Odd as that may seem. The weird thing is, I can do normal pushups – manstyle – without too much problem. Homework assignment #2. I promise to work on it. Personally, I would also love to work on getting the names of these poses in my head. Ruth can roll them off her tongue but they only bounce out of my brain as though they were made of rubber. I was them to stick so I can own them.

Probably the most valuable piece of this particular class was the box breathing exercise. I had trouble “holding empty” for three counts. My instinct was to gulp air fishlike back into my lungs. Breathing as always been a weird thing with me. When I try to match my breathing to my sleeping husband’s I end up feeling choked and gasping. I don’t know why I can’t relax into his breath and let it become my own. In class we practiced enough times that I was soon feeling the flow. The feeling of fish out of water soon faded, but it took practice.
Practice is all that I need.

Thighs on Fire

gr4c57 Comments

hippoNow & Zen Yoga and Planet Fitness did my thighs in last night and I couldn’t be happier. The schedule worked out the way I wanted~ I beat myself up in royal fashion and am thrilled.
First, yoga. I am bound and determined to make classes at N&Z every Tuesday because last night was proof that I need this. I really, really need this. It didn’t start the way I wanted to – getting out of work late, traffic and having to change into body-bending friendly clothes put me behind schedule. I felt every bit the tutu’ed hippo from Fantasia when I ran up to the fourth floor, heavy and clunking, scurrying and panting. The floors are all wood and loud. The class could probably hear me coming a mile away. Note to self: Self! Wear quieter shoes next time!
Once in the classroom and (finally) settled I needed a moment to clear my head and still my breath. It really didn’t help that I was out of breath when I first got there. I sat in the way back so no one could hear my panting like some obscene caller. Luckily, Ruth is really good about making sure everyone is grounded and still before starting the poses.
I don’t like anyone but my husband touching my feet. I don’t like anyone but Ruth teaching me yoga. It’s that simple. Ruth makes it fun. She removes the barriers that make yoga seem intimidating. She does it with humor and humility. Think you’re too “atheist” to follow something so spiritual as yoga? Ruth doesn’t preach. Think you’re too out of shape to even try a pose? She’ll prove you wrong. Think yoga is too complicated in language and movement? She’ll break it down. Think you can’t laugh in her class. Guess again. That doesn’t mean that her classes are diluted in spirit, challenge or education. She just has a way of making it interesting, fun and rewarding. Trust me, my thighs will vouch for me, myself and moi. We worked on warrior I poses. I can’t remember the last time I balanced with one leg behind me, the other bent before me, arms overhead. Do I look warrior-like? My muscles trembled as if laughing at me. Probably not.

Directly after yoga I picked up the hubby and went to run. Thigh killer #2. I don’t know what happened but all of a sudden I wanted to turn on the burners. I needed another challenge so I set up a plan: start with walking 3.5/hr mile and every 30 seconds increase the speed by .5 (incline .5 all the while). I kept this up until I got to a 7mph pace. Cranking. I haven’t been at this pace since highschool. To keep up the challenge I stayed at 7 for another two minutes, listening to everyone involved: toes, ankles, knees, hips, heart…and the newcomer to pain: thighs. So far so good. After two minutes I worked my way back down the same way I got there: .5/mph every 30 seconds until I got to my normal pace – 5.6 mph. To tell the truth, I don’t know how long I stayed at 5.6 before I got to the cooldown. Once in cooldown mode I cranked up the incline. While jogging an easy 4.5 I set the incline to 4. Walking a 3.5 I increased to 5.5. Finally when I was crawling along at 2/mph I was at in incline of 6.5. My calves and ankles thanked me. I could feel the stretch as I walked and it felt like heaven. So, even though my distance wasn’t any different from any other run as of late, I worked in some speed and some hills….and YOGA! Yay.
Bottom line: 3.39 mi / 39min with warm up and cool down.