On Tuesday night Sept. 23, I went to hot yoga flow. Instructor Kristina was substituting John's class. She was great. It's interesting to see the difference in teaching methods between instructors. Kristina ended the class with reading one of the Yoga Sutras. This was the first time I heard one read to me at the end of a class.
*After taking last week off from doing yoga, my lower back pain finally went away. Starting again this week and now I feel like my back strength improved.
Then on Wednesday morning I went to Laurie's class. I was in such a good mood on Wednesday and it felt good to get up in the morning and move my body.
In class we had our first Bikram practice this week. It was unfortunate that we didn't experience the complete Bikram environment since our classroom was a great deal colder than a Bikram studio would be. However, I thought this form of practice was really interesting. It was a lot more systematic because it consisted of repeating the same pose 2x's on each side of your body. It was more of a step by step approach then a flowing pose to pose class. The breathing in Bikram is also different then what I am used to. Normally breathing in and out through my nose, in Bikarm you breath out through your mouth. Another different aspect is that when laying in shavasana we kept our eyes open in order to be awake and aware of our environment. I think it's interesting that Bikram is always the same consistent poses and you practice to improve those poses instead of challenging your body to try new things. I would practice Bikram again and even regularly. However, I would do it as a side practice and still participate in other forms pf physical activity because I feel that' doing the same thing over and over may eventually take your body to a plateau and you won't improve.
The physical culture of yoga is one that can be described as a normal healthy practice. People do yoga both to strengthen muscle and as a form of aerobic activity. The instructor of Bikram that came to teach my class, Chris, was very persistent about talking about the health benefit of each pose. He described why we were doing that pose and how it can help certain aspects of our bodies. As we examined in the first few weeks of class, yoga may have started as a religious practice but now in the 21st century many people take yoga purely for the physical aspect and keeping your body healthy and in shape.
Since taking yoga, I have noticed difference in my body. Certain muscles are more defined and I am much more flexible.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
I just couldn't wake up
Who am I kidding? I didn't make it to the 8:30 class on Sunday morning =(
Nonetheless, I did go to the gym and still kept physically active. On Monday I actually attempted to go but when I got there for the supposed "11-12:15 All Levels Flow" there was no class. So back to the gym I went.
Finally on Tuesday September 16, I made it to yoga.
I really enjoy this hot all levels flow class but unfortunately I have discovered that some of the asanas in this class have been the root to my lower back aching. Gladly, I don't feel any pain when I am practicing.
I really love practicing at a studio. I don't believe I would be getting the same experience if I were just attending the classes held at Stockton. The atmosphere, temperature, silence soothing colors and lighting in the room all enhance the sessions. Also when I have attempted to practice yoga at home before I feel like I was not doing the poses correctly or spending enough time on them. I enjoy being in the classroom environment but still feeling a sense of peace and in my own space. I also like the fact that at the studio, the instructor helps you adjust your pose and I don't believe the teacher at Stockton does that.
I will be making a quick weekend getaway from Thursday-Monday so unfortunately I won't be able to practice this next week. I feel like I have already improved from my first class, my body seems to be more flexible and strengthened. So I am a little sad that I will take a few step backwards when I return. I tried to make it to class today but other things got in the way… I will just have to keep on stretching and doing some cardio the next few days and hope I pick up where I left off on Tuesday. Let's hope for the best. Have a good week everyone!
Nonetheless, I did go to the gym and still kept physically active. On Monday I actually attempted to go but when I got there for the supposed "11-12:15 All Levels Flow" there was no class. So back to the gym I went.
Finally on Tuesday September 16, I made it to yoga.
I really enjoy this hot all levels flow class but unfortunately I have discovered that some of the asanas in this class have been the root to my lower back aching. Gladly, I don't feel any pain when I am practicing.
I really love practicing at a studio. I don't believe I would be getting the same experience if I were just attending the classes held at Stockton. The atmosphere, temperature, silence soothing colors and lighting in the room all enhance the sessions. Also when I have attempted to practice yoga at home before I feel like I was not doing the poses correctly or spending enough time on them. I enjoy being in the classroom environment but still feeling a sense of peace and in my own space. I also like the fact that at the studio, the instructor helps you adjust your pose and I don't believe the teacher at Stockton does that.
I will be making a quick weekend getaway from Thursday-Monday so unfortunately I won't be able to practice this next week. I feel like I have already improved from my first class, my body seems to be more flexible and strengthened. So I am a little sad that I will take a few step backwards when I return. I tried to make it to class today but other things got in the way… I will just have to keep on stretching and doing some cardio the next few days and hope I pick up where I left off on Tuesday. Let's hope for the best. Have a good week everyone!
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Saturday: September 15, 2014
Power Yoga Class with Laurie!
So getting out of bed this morning was a challenge. However, I told myself I'm making the most out of this yoga journey and once I get into the rhythm of going regularly it'll be less of a struggle. My left side lower back was still a little sore from Tuesday but I kept telling myself the more yoga I do, the better it will get…
This class was great, and a super tough workout! You are completely drenched in sweat because not only is it none stop moving but for most of the time the heat is also turned on. It was a small class and overall a little more advanced for my level, but I liked the challenge and it forced me to work even harder. I have to say this morning I wasn't 100% focused on the present and that is one aspect of yoga that I struggle with conquering. A lot of times my mind wanders, I definitely was thinking about how much I was struggling with each pose instead of focusing on improving the pose and concentrating on my breath and what I was doing... I was also thinking about what i was going to eat for breakfast hehehe Anyway, after this class I realized how much I want to work on to get to a full head stand, holding my bridge and crow pose and improve my plow goals. I believe that if I commit to practice by the end of the semester I can achieve all my goals.
By the end of the class, and the next day, my back was hurting even more… I think I need some major acupuncture. But in the meantime back to Yoga tomorrow. Who knows maybe my theory will come true and I will get rid of the pain? Or maybe my back will be shot out for good? We shall see!
So getting out of bed this morning was a challenge. However, I told myself I'm making the most out of this yoga journey and once I get into the rhythm of going regularly it'll be less of a struggle. My left side lower back was still a little sore from Tuesday but I kept telling myself the more yoga I do, the better it will get…
This class was great, and a super tough workout! You are completely drenched in sweat because not only is it none stop moving but for most of the time the heat is also turned on. It was a small class and overall a little more advanced for my level, but I liked the challenge and it forced me to work even harder. I have to say this morning I wasn't 100% focused on the present and that is one aspect of yoga that I struggle with conquering. A lot of times my mind wanders, I definitely was thinking about how much I was struggling with each pose instead of focusing on improving the pose and concentrating on my breath and what I was doing... I was also thinking about what i was going to eat for breakfast hehehe Anyway, after this class I realized how much I want to work on to get to a full head stand, holding my bridge and crow pose and improve my plow goals. I believe that if I commit to practice by the end of the semester I can achieve all my goals.
By the end of the class, and the next day, my back was hurting even more… I think I need some major acupuncture. But in the meantime back to Yoga tomorrow. Who knows maybe my theory will come true and I will get rid of the pain? Or maybe my back will be shot out for good? We shall see!
Gentle Yoga
I took a Gentle Yoga class on Thursday September 11, 2014 and it was a completely new experience. It was very gentle and more of a stretching and deep breathing class than I had expected it to be. Robin, our instructor, was great. She really explained details and modifications of each pose as well as how to breath properly. We practiced massaging our feet and using our toe muscles to grab a piece of paper on the floor. I really liked this exercise because I didn't realize how I never work out my toe muscles. Also after we massaged our feet, we laid down and I felt how much more blood was rushing through my feet and how open and relaxed they felt. Overall, although I didn't get a sense of a physical workout in this class, I still got a relaxed and total body stretching which is another side (one of many) of yoga not many people realize exist.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
My First Yoga Classes
On Tuesday, September 9, I began my first day of Yoga. After a long weekend of laziness, I went to the gym the night before and my muscles were aching a bit. Nonetheless, I figured yoga was a great way to get some stretching in.
What I believed would be a 6pm Power Yoga class ended up being a mild version of Hot Yoga. There were only four people in the class, leaving enough air to breath and not feel overcrowded. The air was dry and I have to say it did get me sweating and giving me a greater sense of a workout. We started off with some breathing exercises and stretching and flowed smoothly through the class. John was a great instructor, he was very descriptive with the moves and came around and helped us.
I thought that the most challenging poses were:
1. Semi triangle/pyramid - I found this to be a bit of a strain on the back of my knee
2. Bridge (Arms and shoulder blades touching each other on the ground) - I never knew my arms could go that far back
3. Plow pose - the hardest part was getting my legs and back raised not necessarily holding it there
Although my lower back was killing me when I got home, I told myself I was still going to Yoga in the morning!
Wednesday, September 10, I made it to Laurie's 9am All Level Yoga class and found myself in for a challenge. This class had some similarities to the previous day's class but to me it seemed that the movements flowed a lot quicker (or maybe it was because my entire body ached). Laurie also came over and deepened my poses (all the while I thought I would break my back) but it did make for better stretches! I realized how tight my body is when I realized all the people older than me easily flowing through these poses…
I also realized that the most challenging aspects of Yoga for me are:
1. Remembering to keep breathing. As if thinking about all the deep stretching I was doing isn't difficult enough, I have to also remember to keep breathing and in an even 4 count rhythm. jeez
2. Over thinking all the poses and then:
a. when I finally get it, its time to move onto a new pose
b. holding it there and deepening into the pose further and further
3. Mentally focusing on the present and what I am doing. Clearing my head of all other thoughts.
One question I had always wondered was: Why do we finish Yoga by chanting OM? After watching "Naked in Ashes" I discovered that it is the most sacred syllable and regularly used in practice and in prayer.
When class was just about over and we were laying down in Savasana I felt every inch of my body throb in soreness but mentally I couldn't help but feel so relaxed and at peace.
What I believed would be a 6pm Power Yoga class ended up being a mild version of Hot Yoga. There were only four people in the class, leaving enough air to breath and not feel overcrowded. The air was dry and I have to say it did get me sweating and giving me a greater sense of a workout. We started off with some breathing exercises and stretching and flowed smoothly through the class. John was a great instructor, he was very descriptive with the moves and came around and helped us.
I thought that the most challenging poses were:
1. Semi triangle/pyramid - I found this to be a bit of a strain on the back of my knee
2. Bridge (Arms and shoulder blades touching each other on the ground) - I never knew my arms could go that far back
3. Plow pose - the hardest part was getting my legs and back raised not necessarily holding it there
Although my lower back was killing me when I got home, I told myself I was still going to Yoga in the morning!
Wednesday, September 10, I made it to Laurie's 9am All Level Yoga class and found myself in for a challenge. This class had some similarities to the previous day's class but to me it seemed that the movements flowed a lot quicker (or maybe it was because my entire body ached). Laurie also came over and deepened my poses (all the while I thought I would break my back) but it did make for better stretches! I realized how tight my body is when I realized all the people older than me easily flowing through these poses…
I also realized that the most challenging aspects of Yoga for me are:
1. Remembering to keep breathing. As if thinking about all the deep stretching I was doing isn't difficult enough, I have to also remember to keep breathing and in an even 4 count rhythm. jeez
2. Over thinking all the poses and then:
a. when I finally get it, its time to move onto a new pose
b. holding it there and deepening into the pose further and further
3. Mentally focusing on the present and what I am doing. Clearing my head of all other thoughts.
One question I had always wondered was: Why do we finish Yoga by chanting OM? After watching "Naked in Ashes" I discovered that it is the most sacred syllable and regularly used in practice and in prayer.
When class was just about over and we were laying down in Savasana I felt every inch of my body throb in soreness but mentally I couldn't help but feel so relaxed and at peace.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Starting My Practice
Today I am beginning my first day of Yoga at Yoga NINE studio. I am very excited to practice during these next 3 months. I have previously attended Yoga classes but I never practiced strictly. This past semester, I studied abroad in Italy and I participated in Power Yoga for 1 week. I absolutely loved it. At first I was stressed because I couldn't fully complete all the moves and the class went quickly, making it a bit difficult to keep up. However, after the class was over I felt such a sense of accomplishment. We laid on the mat for a few minutes with our eyes closed and the instructor massaged our shoulders with some lavender oil. I was so relaxed and fully engaged with every part of my body. I better understood what people meant about yoga being something greater than just a physical activity.
After watching the documentary" Enlighten Up!" I was surprised to find that Yoga in fact originated as more of a religious practice. In parts of India, many people don't partake in the physical fitness but revolve their entire practice around God. Lately, I have been struggling with some emotional struggles with finding myself and what truly makes me happy. I hope that if I put enough of my mental strength and energy into this practice I can find some sort of inner peace and become more content with myself.
Best of luck on everyones journey!
After watching the documentary" Enlighten Up!" I was surprised to find that Yoga in fact originated as more of a religious practice. In parts of India, many people don't partake in the physical fitness but revolve their entire practice around God. Lately, I have been struggling with some emotional struggles with finding myself and what truly makes me happy. I hope that if I put enough of my mental strength and energy into this practice I can find some sort of inner peace and become more content with myself.
Best of luck on everyones journey!
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