Day 30!

Last night was day 30. I did it! Insights to come.

Days 28 & 29

Last night I went to the 8pm with my favorite male instructor and this morning I went to the 6:15am with Lithuanian Light. Both classes were completely different. The male instructor is gruff and tough and cranks the heat way up. Yogis were dropping like flies. At one point there were about 8 people laying down. Two people left class after the standing series. The instructor literally stood in front of one of the people who was trying to leave and told her to lay back down. A few minutes later she just walked around him to leave. It was intense. It felt like bikram yoga bootcamp. I was so proud to have made it through but by the time I got home I was too tired to even eat dinner. I ate some cheese, had some coconut water and was knocked the hell out.

I went to the 6:15am class this morning because Lauren gets back tonight from Norfolk from taking the bar! I am so excited that she will be done. I am amazed at how hard she has worked; I feel like I haven't seen her for three months. I did this yoga challenge at a perfect time because she has been so busy, it has been like she hasn't noticed that I have been gone more. So anyway, she gets back tonight and I am excited. I am going to cook and I have to clean up all the cat hair I have let accumulate this evening. So I was basically forced to go to the 6:15am. I felt really good going into class and had a wonderful class. It wasn't nearly as hot as last night but I just love LL. Her energy is so calming and positive. There was a pretty large woman in class today and I just really liked the way she gave her more individualized attention. And the way she gives people individualized attention is not distracting the way other instructors do it. She is just really sweet.

For some reason it smelled horrible in the studio today. And there was a new student next to me. She apparently did not know the difference between "right ear on the floor" and "left ear on the floor" because when we were resting on our stomachs, I kept having to look at her. The instructor would say "left ... left ear ... left" but she clearly wasn't listening. It was super annoying. Finally I mentioned to her to turn her head so I didn't have to look at her. Then she caught on.

It is tough getting up so early but boy does it feel wonderful to start the day with Bikram. I feel energized, calm, strong and just accomplished and it is only 9:30! It's a pretty awesome feeling.

Day 27 - Earning my stickers

Today was the epitome of a major lapse of judgment. I went to the 6pm after running around like a crazy person to make it. I had not expected I could make it so it was nice not to have to go to the 8pm class. However, around 4pm, after I had already eaten a full lunch, I thought it would be a great idea to eat a second lunch. Maybe it would give me lots of energy for my class. I still had a couple hours. Yes, I know this may be a shocker – but I totally overate. As soon as I had the huge bowl of spaghetti I thought, “uh oh. That was probably too much.” I waddled around the office feeling like I had a “food baby” and then forgot about it in my haste to leave. Well as soon as I entered the studio, I felt different. During the very first pose I felt like I could hardly breathe. I struggled throughout the entire class. At one point while in savasana (dead man pose), I literally was wondering whose name I put on the emergency contact sheet, just in case I died. Yes, died. It crossed my mind about 10 times to just run upstairs and throw up just to make myself feel better. But I stuck it out. I sat out the first set of camel pose but other than that, made it through the class. But boy did I feel pitiful.


I put my sticker on the wall after class and I almost wanted to call someone over to look because I felt like I really earned that sticker today. All in all, today I maintained, which is fine. I am almost a little sad thinking about the end of my challenge on Thursday. I am thinking about extending it to 60 days. I will be out of town for a couple days so I will have to do some doubles but I think I can handle it.

Day 26 - The Rog in the house

Today my dad went with me to Bikram. I was so impressed. The instructor was not one of my favorites but she really looked out for him and helped with the poses. He tried every pose even though he couldn't physically do all of them. I was almost shocked at how eager he was. He didn't seem to have a grasp on the limits of his body. He wanted to do everything even though it was his first class. There was this young college girl next to him and it was also her first class and I have to say, even though yoga isn't supposed to be competitive, he wiped the floor with that chick. I was proud and I think he liked it.

After class about 4 people in the changing room told me how "cute" my dad is and how their dads "would never, ever go to Bikram." I felt so proud that I have such cool parents. At one point the instructor pointed out that we were father-daughter and it just felt good to know I could share that with him.

The class itself was fine. The temperature was way off and it was much cooler than usual. It was distracting having my dad there because I guess you never lose the desire to make your parents proud. I am glad he got to see exactly what I have been doing every day. I think it has been somewhat abstract and I hope he can better understand when I say Bikram yoga is no joke!

Day 25 - Prego

Today I went to the 11am (and today was flanked by new people). I love this pregnant instructor. She kicks everyone's ass and its like you don't even realize it because she is so freaking cute. I also could see the temperature and clock today so I was very aware of how flipping hot it was. It was a struggle but I did it so I'm proud of that.

Lately the sweat has just been pouring out of me. It feels good. I can also tell that I have been eating less salt. One day Altin said that if your sweat is burning your eyes, you are eating too much salt. So I have been aware of the amount of salt I am eating. It is something I have never really thought of that much. I tried one of the coconut water sports drinks the other day. I really liked it. I had another after class today. I feel so cliche with all this "search for inner peace" stuff when in reality, my life is pretty freaking sweet but I liked walking down the street with my coconut water. I felt very urban.