Sunday, March 10, 2013
Friday night replacement
A friend of mine Sylvana is studying to become a Spanish language teacher. Part of this means that she practices teaching lessons on Friday nights, and consequently needs students. Thus, I have Spanish lessons on Friday nights, and can't go to yoga.
So I did a home prac on Friday before class. It was nice and fast, and I generated a bit of heat. I managed to bind in Mary A, but I need to be adjusted into the Cs a the moment, and so that wasn't possible.
Coco would have had her first class tonight. I'm a bit miffed that I missed it, but I'll see her on Tuesday.
So I did a home prac on Friday before class. It was nice and fast, and I generated a bit of heat. I managed to bind in Mary A, but I need to be adjusted into the Cs a the moment, and so that wasn't possible.
Coco would have had her first class tonight. I'm a bit miffed that I missed it, but I'll see her on Tuesday.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Last lesson with Karla
I was apprehensive about going today. My back was a little sore today, I think because I slept badly on it. I have a really soft bed, and so I think my back is a bit rounded when i sleep. Whatever it is, I never wake up feeling good in my back, always stiff and immobile. Yet whenever I go to sleep I feel great. Perhaps I should go back to sleeping on a hard surface like I used to when I was a kid. Lets see how it goes over the next few days, a decent ocean swim might stretch it out nicely.
Karla's last lesson today, and it was a very small class. I'll miss her as a teacher, she does great adjustments. Also, she is much faster in the Surya Namaskaras, so I don't feel like I'm stuck in Adho Mukha Svanasana for an eternity!!
Today was a Marichyasana breakthrough. In A I bound on both sides (normal) then in B I bound on my easier side (waahoooo!!!!) :) And Karla adjusted me into a bind on both sides in C as well. So of the 8 binds, I got 5 of them, that's more than half! Although D is still a few years off (well at least a year anyway), I think C on both sides could be possible if my left hip opens up a bit and I'm able to get my left foot into a comfortable lotus. I think there's an ankle flexibility issue there too from my years of running training. Certainly a bit more ankle flexibility will make Garbha Pindasana a bit easier.
Karla's last lesson today, and it was a very small class. I'll miss her as a teacher, she does great adjustments. Also, she is much faster in the Surya Namaskaras, so I don't feel like I'm stuck in Adho Mukha Svanasana for an eternity!!
Today was a Marichyasana breakthrough. In A I bound on both sides (normal) then in B I bound on my easier side (waahoooo!!!!) :) And Karla adjusted me into a bind on both sides in C as well. So of the 8 binds, I got 5 of them, that's more than half! Although D is still a few years off (well at least a year anyway), I think C on both sides could be possible if my left hip opens up a bit and I'm able to get my left foot into a comfortable lotus. I think there's an ankle flexibility issue there too from my years of running training. Certainly a bit more ankle flexibility will make Garbha Pindasana a bit easier.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Raja with Patrick
Anne, where are you???? I went to do yoga with Anne, but she wasn't there. There was a new guy named Patrick, and he took us on a nice, slow hatha practise. He called it Raja, but it was just a hamstring focussed hatha practice. It was nice to do it, but I don't think I'll go back. It wasn't quite enough to get me going. I'll head back when Anne comes back from her holidays.
Back when I started hitting yoga hard, I used to do a lot of doubles, by that I mean two-a-days. Since I got going in Ashtanga though, I haven't done any doubles. Today was the first one, and I really liked it. One issue though, was that it's very hard for me to get enough calories if I'm spending that much of the day doing yoga. Especially now as I'm eating raw food, it takes a lot longer to prepare and eat meals.
So I think I'm going to hit up a few more doubles.
Back when I started hitting yoga hard, I used to do a lot of doubles, by that I mean two-a-days. Since I got going in Ashtanga though, I haven't done any doubles. Today was the first one, and I really liked it. One issue though, was that it's very hard for me to get enough calories if I'm spending that much of the day doing yoga. Especially now as I'm eating raw food, it takes a lot longer to prepare and eat meals.
So I think I'm going to hit up a few more doubles.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Fast as possible
Today I did my primary series as fast as I could. I wasn't racing through it, but trying to do it properly as fast as I could. Everything went well, although I forgot to do the the Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana and the Triang Mukhaekapada Paschimottanasana. Not such a big deal, because I can get into Garbha Pindasana, and I cant do Triang Mukhaekapada anyway because my quads are so tight. I got the whole thing done in abou 1h 15min, and I think that's as quick as I can get a primary series done. I've read that it's good to have a faster practise as it enables you to add other positions from 2nd when you get that far, and not end up spending 2h on your mat.
Regarding the jump-backs, I managed a couple today, before cutting my thumb with my toenail. Jajajaja. Well it is a new move, so I'm just figuring it out. Perhaps a little more technique work is in order.
Overall it was a really good session, and I'm off to Anne's class for a double up!
Regarding the jump-backs, I managed a couple today, before cutting my thumb with my toenail. Jajajaja. Well it is a new move, so I'm just figuring it out. Perhaps a little more technique work is in order.
Overall it was a really good session, and I'm off to Anne's class for a double up!
Wine and Chocolate
A good led class with Karla, and she gave us wine and chocolate at the end. It was fantastic!
Unfortunately I wasn't able to do any jump-forwards today. I'm not sure why. Either it was a strength thing, or a flexibility thing. But either way, I was nowhere near it. I mean really nowhere near it. I'm not sure how to get it back, because jumping through was a lot of fun, and it means less messing around during the practice. I also think it'll help my shoulder and arm strenth.
My friend Mikael's girlfriend Millie has started coming to our yoga classes, and she's a great addition, because she spends half the class giggling. It's awsome to have someone giggling behind you while you're struggling with navasana!
Unfortunately I wasn't able to do any jump-forwards today. I'm not sure why. Either it was a strength thing, or a flexibility thing. But either way, I was nowhere near it. I mean really nowhere near it. I'm not sure how to get it back, because jumping through was a lot of fun, and it means less messing around during the practice. I also think it'll help my shoulder and arm strenth.
My friend Mikael's girlfriend Millie has started coming to our yoga classes, and she's a great addition, because she spends half the class giggling. It's awsome to have someone giggling behind you while you're struggling with navasana!
Chilly
It's sooo cold!!
Back practising at home again, not just Surya Namaskaras, but the full series. It's really cold at the moment, so things like binding in Marichyasana B and jumping through are not on the menu. It was still good though. I tried to work through the series a bit faster, because I have a habit of slowing down and taking two hours for the practice.
I did a good home practice, I was up to the Kormasanas when one of my neighbours came around to borrow some things. Then I was too cold, and so went straight into closing.
it's good to be back practicing at home again, but there's a lot to do to get back to where I was before I went to Canada.
Back practising at home again, not just Surya Namaskaras, but the full series. It's really cold at the moment, so things like binding in Marichyasana B and jumping through are not on the menu. It was still good though. I tried to work through the series a bit faster, because I have a habit of slowing down and taking two hours for the practice.
I did a good home practice, I was up to the Kormasanas when one of my neighbours came around to borrow some things. Then I was too cold, and so went straight into closing.
it's good to be back practicing at home again, but there's a lot to do to get back to where I was before I went to Canada.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Marichyasana C on both sides!!
Back in led class, and I had the best Surya Namaskara As ever. They felt so smooth and clean. I don't know why, I think it's because it was very warm in class, and so I was already sweating like crazy by the time we started. I felt more mobile and warmed up than ever before.
Karla adjusted me into Maricheyasana C on both sides, and I bound twice. It felt soooo good. I don't think I've ever bound on my right before, only on my left. It's a good bit of inspiration to take into my next class. I think the improvement can only be from the change in diet. I feel very strong, and very flexible. Both of these feelings after having a full month off from yoga, and then Monday's class. Coco once told me that changing my diet to raw would have a big impact on my yoga, and it looks like she was right.
She also gave me a good push in the paschimottanasana that comes after urdhva dhanurasana, and I was really able to relax down further than I have ever done before. I really really love the feeling of being pushed forward into that one. It's bliss.
Another advancement was that a couple of times, I managed the jump-through. I'll admit that they weren't pretty, but still, I managed to get my legs in front of me before hitting the deck. The only problem is that my feet catch the towel, and drag it forward, needing me to clean it up behind me. That's annoying. Hopefully with a bit more practice, I'll be able to jump through without my feet dragging along the towel, then I won't have that issue.
Karla adjusted me into Maricheyasana C on both sides, and I bound twice. It felt soooo good. I don't think I've ever bound on my right before, only on my left. It's a good bit of inspiration to take into my next class. I think the improvement can only be from the change in diet. I feel very strong, and very flexible. Both of these feelings after having a full month off from yoga, and then Monday's class. Coco once told me that changing my diet to raw would have a big impact on my yoga, and it looks like she was right.
She also gave me a good push in the paschimottanasana that comes after urdhva dhanurasana, and I was really able to relax down further than I have ever done before. I really really love the feeling of being pushed forward into that one. It's bliss.
Another advancement was that a couple of times, I managed the jump-through. I'll admit that they weren't pretty, but still, I managed to get my legs in front of me before hitting the deck. The only problem is that my feet catch the towel, and drag it forward, needing me to clean it up behind me. That's annoying. Hopefully with a bit more practice, I'll be able to jump through without my feet dragging along the towel, then I won't have that issue.
Reblogging photos
This blog is almost totally bereft of photos. From looking around the web, most yoga blogs have pretty pictures of pretty people doing pretty asanas in pretty places. The occasional pic would really liven up this blog, so I'm going to do some reblogging. Most of the pics I'll get from fuckyeahyoga.tumblr.com (I love that blog) but also some from other places. I'll tag each of the posts <photo reblog> and hopefully I'll remember to credit them correctly.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Raw
Since coming back to Mexico, I've been on a mostly raw food diet. My diet in Canada wasn't so good, so I thought I'd make some slow improvements. The ultimate aim is to be 60% raw, with another 20% paleo, and then the final 20% anything.
My plan was to introduce one raw meal at a time, keep it up for a couple of weeks, then depending on how I'm going, introduce another raw meal. I have four meals a day usually, so this makes six weeks if I'm going to make three out of the four raw. Then I have one meal for if I'm heading out to eat, or if I want to eat meat, or if I want to eat chocolate, or lollies, or a big mac...
I started with a raw breakfast, but since then, I've been virtually all raw straight away. I'd say that since I arrived back in Mexico, I've been 70% raw, 20% paleo (mostly lean meat and cooked veges) with about 10% other. I've virtually stayed off processed foods completely. For example, I haven't had dairy once, I haven't had any wheat, rice, pasta or corn, and I haven't had a single can of soft-drink.
At the moment, I'm not sure whether this will continue, because I'm not tough on myself or anything like that. I just happen to be buying raw fruit and veg at the moment, and so that's what's in the house. I don't go out that much, so I eat what's in the house.
I think I'll keep it up for about 8 weeks, but every week, I'll assess how I'm feeling. If it's not working, then I'll ditch it, but for the moment, things are going well.
My plan was to introduce one raw meal at a time, keep it up for a couple of weeks, then depending on how I'm going, introduce another raw meal. I have four meals a day usually, so this makes six weeks if I'm going to make three out of the four raw. Then I have one meal for if I'm heading out to eat, or if I want to eat meat, or if I want to eat chocolate, or lollies, or a big mac...
I started with a raw breakfast, but since then, I've been virtually all raw straight away. I'd say that since I arrived back in Mexico, I've been 70% raw, 20% paleo (mostly lean meat and cooked veges) with about 10% other. I've virtually stayed off processed foods completely. For example, I haven't had dairy once, I haven't had any wheat, rice, pasta or corn, and I haven't had a single can of soft-drink.
At the moment, I'm not sure whether this will continue, because I'm not tough on myself or anything like that. I just happen to be buying raw fruit and veg at the moment, and so that's what's in the house. I don't go out that much, so I eat what's in the house.
I think I'll keep it up for about 8 weeks, but every week, I'll assess how I'm feeling. If it's not working, then I'll ditch it, but for the moment, things are going well.
Surfing!
Today I went surfing :)
It was with my friend Greg, and his girlfriend let us borrow her car, so we drove up the coast to pick up some really fun choppy three foot waves. There were a mix of A-frames and sandy closeouts, and a whole lot of duckdiving to be done on the short period swell, but really, it was paradise.
I was going to do a class with Anne tonight, but after the surf, I'm knackered. My shoulders and arms are completely destroyed, and I need to recover. hopefully we get another swell before I leave town, so we can have another go.
It was with my friend Greg, and his girlfriend let us borrow her car, so we drove up the coast to pick up some really fun choppy three foot waves. There were a mix of A-frames and sandy closeouts, and a whole lot of duckdiving to be done on the short period swell, but really, it was paradise.
I was going to do a class with Anne tonight, but after the surf, I'm knackered. My shoulders and arms are completely destroyed, and I need to recover. hopefully we get another swell before I leave town, so we can have another go.
Monday, February 25, 2013
On the mat in Mexico
Finally I made it to my first class since arriving back in Mexico. It was a shock. I had no idea quite how much my body had regressed. I can nolonger touch the floor with my hands in a forward fold, nor straighten my legs in adho mukha svanasana.
It's probably good. I'm sure my body needed a break, and it'll be nice to see the progression back to where I was. I'm sure it'll only take a month, and I'll be back to where I was.
Classes were with Karla. She's seems to have taken Coco's spot while Coco's away in Bolivia. Her classes are a lot faster, and there's a lot less Sanskrit, but they're still cool. She pushed me forward in one of the paschimottanasanas, and I really enjoyed that adjustment.
It's probably good. I'm sure my body needed a break, and it'll be nice to see the progression back to where I was. I'm sure it'll only take a month, and I'll be back to where I was.
Classes were with Karla. She's seems to have taken Coco's spot while Coco's away in Bolivia. Her classes are a lot faster, and there's a lot less Sanskrit, but they're still cool. She pushed me forward in one of the paschimottanasanas, and I really enjoyed that adjustment.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Oh Canada!
Well somebody hasn't posted in a month. That somebody is me.
I have just spent a month in Canada, and did no yoga for the whole period. It was just too cold. At times I tried to do a few stretches, but that was as far as i got. It was as cold as minus 31 degrees at times, and I wasn't in the right environment either.
Canada is a beautiful place. While there I got to see Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City. I snowboarded, cross-country skiied, and dog-sledded. I saw a huge amount of history, and beautiful places. I met interesting people, and saw a close friend who I hadn't seen in six or seven years! It's a beautiful place, and I'm sure I'll be back one day.
Back in Mexico, and I'm just taking some time to adjust to the heat before starting up on the yoga train again. At the moment I'm still standing up to quickly and getting dizzy, a typical sign that I'm not used to the heat yet.
I have just spent a month in Canada, and did no yoga for the whole period. It was just too cold. At times I tried to do a few stretches, but that was as far as i got. It was as cold as minus 31 degrees at times, and I wasn't in the right environment either.
Canada is a beautiful place. While there I got to see Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City. I snowboarded, cross-country skiied, and dog-sledded. I saw a huge amount of history, and beautiful places. I met interesting people, and saw a close friend who I hadn't seen in six or seven years! It's a beautiful place, and I'm sure I'll be back one day.
Back in Mexico, and I'm just taking some time to adjust to the heat before starting up on the yoga train again. At the moment I'm still standing up to quickly and getting dizzy, a typical sign that I'm not used to the heat yet.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Anne's Class
Before starting Ashtanga, I did some classes with Anne Nguen. She teaches Tuesday nights at Alhambra. I was completely hopeless with the basic postures, but Anne was calm and encouraging. She gave me a few stretches to help to unlock my shoulders, and I really enjoyed her classes.
Now, six months later, and I went back to her classes a totally different person. I'm a lot skinnier, somewhere in the vicinity of 5kg (11lbs). Not only that, but I'm a lot more flexible, and am now used to a bunch of the basic poses we do in class.
For Anne, it was like she had a different person. She was genuinely excited for me! I love that about her, so warm and generous with her time. What a lovely person!
Now, six months later, and I went back to her classes a totally different person. I'm a lot skinnier, somewhere in the vicinity of 5kg (11lbs). Not only that, but I'm a lot more flexible, and am now used to a bunch of the basic poses we do in class.
For Anne, it was like she had a different person. She was genuinely excited for me! I love that about her, so warm and generous with her time. What a lovely person!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Moon-day Practice
Because I missed some days while I was travelling in San Cristobal, I decided to practice on the Moon Day. My back was still stiff from the two bus journeys, but I managed a good practice.
One surprise was being able to straighten my legs in Paschimottanasana C. I didn't quite have enough room to push hard enough on my feet to get some internal rotation of the femur, but that will come with time. I'm practiced enough to know that just because I got it today, doesn't mean that I will manage to get it next time, but these things come and go until there's more coming than going, and finally they're a steadfast part of my practice.
One surprise was being able to straighten my legs in Paschimottanasana C. I didn't quite have enough room to push hard enough on my feet to get some internal rotation of the femur, but that will come with time. I'm practiced enough to know that just because I got it today, doesn't mean that I will manage to get it next time, but these things come and go until there's more coming than going, and finally they're a steadfast part of my practice.
Class with Kat
On Thursday I did a yoga class with 'Kat'. I'd heard about her classes from a friend Ticia. Now Ticia said "she's off the planet, first I wanted to kill her, then I wanted to hug her".
Well that pretty much sums it up. She is so nuts that at first I thought she was tripping on LSD. Later though, I just got used to her style, and it was quite nice.
The yoga that she did was incredibly slow. She did mostly Ashtanga style sequences, but incredibly slowly. Then she switched to hip openers, and we did things like sit in half king pigeon for about ten minutes on each side. I've never done anything like that, so it was really painful for me, but good to do something different.
I think I'm going to try to do as many different classes of yoga I can over the next few months. It's good to learn the different styles of teaching, and I'm sure it'll help my Ashtanga practice.
Well that pretty much sums it up. She is so nuts that at first I thought she was tripping on LSD. Later though, I just got used to her style, and it was quite nice.
The yoga that she did was incredibly slow. She did mostly Ashtanga style sequences, but incredibly slowly. Then she switched to hip openers, and we did things like sit in half king pigeon for about ten minutes on each side. I've never done anything like that, so it was really painful for me, but good to do something different.
I think I'm going to try to do as many different classes of yoga I can over the next few months. It's good to learn the different styles of teaching, and I'm sure it'll help my Ashtanga practice.
Travelling
I went on a holiday to San Cristobal de las Casas. This involved two 18 hour bus journeys, which really tightened up my back and hips. Added to this, I wasn't able to practice while there, because I was just too busy. I brought my mat all that way, but just didn't manage to get it out.
It could also have been the cold. San Cristobal was FREEZING!!!
Using this trip as an example, it's made me realise how much of a busy life I lead. As well as work and study, I also try to do a lot of reading, and then there is my yoga and push-ups. That really fills up the day, and on many days, something gives. Unfortunately, it's often the yoga.
It could also have been the cold. San Cristobal was FREEZING!!!
Using this trip as an example, it's made me realise how much of a busy life I lead. As well as work and study, I also try to do a lot of reading, and then there is my yoga and push-ups. That really fills up the day, and on many days, something gives. Unfortunately, it's often the yoga.
Class after push-ups
Well it wasn't so bad. Sure it was a bit tough on the arms, but no harder than when I first started doing Ashtanga yoga. My twists weren't so good because my shoulders are a little tighter than before, but that's to be expected.
A primary series includes 57 push-ups, so in the warm-up I did three extras to make 60. These got added to my push-up total.
Downward facing dog is still a very painful posture. I don't know why it's so hard for me... I have an idea, and it's just the fact that my hips and shoulders are so tight, but still, it just doesn't seem like anyone else in class is having as much difficulty with that pose.
Regarding the Michael Gannon damage, I managed to hold lotus for a few seconds, but that was it. It was also very painful, so I didn't push it.
A primary series includes 57 push-ups, so in the warm-up I did three extras to make 60. These got added to my push-up total.
Downward facing dog is still a very painful posture. I don't know why it's so hard for me... I have an idea, and it's just the fact that my hips and shoulders are so tight, but still, it just doesn't seem like anyone else in class is having as much difficulty with that pose.
Regarding the Michael Gannon damage, I managed to hold lotus for a few seconds, but that was it. It was also very painful, so I didn't push it.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Push-ups
I have another blog. It's http://275aday.blogspot.com. It's a challenge to do 100,000 push-ups in one year. That works out to 275 each day.
I'm interested in what it'll do to my body over the year, and also in how it'll influence my yoga practice. I've so far done 120 of my daily allocated 275 push-ups, and my man-boobs and biceps are killing me. Then there's the led class tonight, the first of the year. With all these push-ups in my arms, I'm a bit concerned for my chaturanga dandasanas! I guess we'll see tonight!
I'm interested in what it'll do to my body over the year, and also in how it'll influence my yoga practice. I've so far done 120 of my daily allocated 275 push-ups, and my man-boobs and biceps are killing me. Then there's the led class tonight, the first of the year. With all these push-ups in my arms, I'm a bit concerned for my chaturanga dandasanas! I guess we'll see tonight!
Book review - 21 things to Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga Practice
I just bought and read this book, and I loved it. It really is a book to read before you start practising, or rather, near the start of your practice. It is full of helpful advice, some new, some old. It's not really a book, more a collection of her blog-posts bundled together for a kindle, but the format works well. At $1.99, it's worth the purchase.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)