Between 18 And 19

I know you're all dying for a yoga update.

As I write this, I'm about halfway between classes 18 and 19. You'll remember that I skipped Saturday, day 17. Sunday morning I realized that skipping a class had the dreaded effect on me: I was going to dread all future classes.

Add to this a certain soreness I didn't have before, and each morning I contemplate waiting until the afternoon class. But I did that Sunday; I waited until afternoon to do bikram yoga, and every single second was a bitch.

Before this morning's class (Tuesday, March 4, class 18, since I don't know when I will post this entry), I thought I'd just lie down in savasana if I needed to. I had to do so on Sunday afternoon for the first time in more than a week. But then during Awkward Pose (utkatasana), I was able to keep my arms raised for all three phases of the pose, for the first time EVER. I was pretty excited about that. (I dare you to raise your arms to shoulder level in front of you, tighten your biceps and triceps, and hold it for ± three minutes. Go on. I'll wait. You don't have to do the rest of the pose.)

With that little victory, I plodded on. I had a few twinges here and there, which I asked about after class. "Your muscles there are weak, and you're strengthening them" was the answer.

Okay, then. I do believe it. I've seen my arms and thighs get stronger in the past couple of weeks. But oh, the soreness. Arnica montana CH 6 is my friend.

It's true that the heat helps your body go beyond what it could do in a normal room, but I'm wondering if I should take it easy during class 19. Less trikonasana, more savasana. On the other hand, every little counts, to quote New Order*. I am challenging my body, but I do realize there are some things I can't yet do. I don't push it.

On verra, as the French say. I'll see how I feel during class.

PS: I'm in skinnier jeans.

*I love New Order. When it was released, this video struck all my senses.

Comments

[sizzle]

Yay for skinnier jeans!

[Kelliqua]

You're inspiring me. That's scary. Keep up the good work. But rest more on 19.

[Catheroo]

You are so inspirational! You must be getting rock hard muscles by now. I seriously want to do Bikram and I will be the fat girl, but I'll be the less fat girl after a few weeks.

My former bootcamp instructor used to say "Pain is weakness leaving your body." Embrace the pain and then kick its ass.

[Denise]

You've absolutely made my day with the New Order. David and I have a running joke about NO/Joy Division, so I'm sure he'll love today's blog entry.

Remember front row at New Order/Echo and the Bunnymen/Gene Loves Jezebel? Good times. ;-)

[David]

OK, what is the deal again with New Order & Joy Division again? Did you know that Joy Division became this other band ... I think they are called Interpol;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkBAUqp6NKg

[rebecca]

yay for you!!!

[Musing]

Congrats on skinnier jeans!

I miss yoga. I always felt so good afterwards. Endorphins, I guess.

Must find a class near my new place.

[Margaret]

I love feeling thinner, BUT it's hard to make the sacrifices and feel the pain. A couple of my slacks are a bit too tight. Pretty depressing.