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I Almost Forgot

Today's my blogiversary. Four years ago I started a little blog on AOL (shut up). Here's the first entry.

Two things: I moved most of those entries over to Typepad. And I have no idea why that blog is still available. I stopped using AOL as an ISP (and for everything) a few months after my first post there.

The Bikram Yoga Challenge Recap

Well. It's over. Here's the rundown:

• I went 15 days in a row, then I took my "free" day.
• I wrote about being in between classes 18 and 19, then I took 5 days off.
• Yes, I said FIVE.
• I was VERY SORE and tired.
• I started back up, and thought about doubling up on classes in order to complete the challenge.
• That thought lasted about two hours.
• I took last Thursday and Friday off, but went on Saturday, the last day of the challenge.
• Here's a summary of what bikram yoga is, in case you've forgotten.

How do I feel? Sore and tired. Proud of myself for attending 22 classes in 30 days, but a little disappointed that I didn't complete the challenge. But I couldn't bear the thought of really hurting myself by pulling a muscle or injuring a joint, so I took the time off.

Have I lost any weight? A little, but I also gave myself license to be "bad" by using the yoga as my juicy rationalization of the day/week/month.

Will I go back? Most definitely. I plan to sign up for a 3-month unlimited pass, then go from there. During my last session, I made breakthroughs on some of the asana. I can't even explain how good that felt, both mentally and physically.

I have to take some photos today, so I can see the Before and After. First I have to dig up the same clothes I was wearing in the Before photos. I'm willing to share these with you, but only if you're a woman whom I trust. Sorry, guys! Sorry, random readers! Let me know if you'd like to see what 22 sessions of bikram yoga will do to a body.
 

Ow!

The yoga. It has kilt me.

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.

Holy Crap

Day 12 and I feel GREAT. As in, Tony the Tiger great (but I had crustless quiche for breakfast, not Frosted Flakes™®).

This morning we did something a little different; we listened to a recording of Bikram himself teaching the class, and our teacher did the poses with us.

Bikram has a calming voice, and he emits a few little gems during class, like "Ninety minutes of suffering, or ninety years of suffering?" and "Yoga helps you find yourself."

Perhaps it's true. I kind of feel like I've reached the summit and it'll be all down hill from here. I might be wrong about that. But damn, I feel good.

Firteen

I'm too tired to put my tongue between my teeth for the proper θ sound.

/linguistics geek

I've done firteen 90-minute bikram yoga classes in firteen days. What does that make me?
Brave? Crazy? Willful? Motivated? All of these?

While I haven't taken any photos, and I know I haven't lost but two pounds, I'm looking a bit more buff these days. That? Is cool. Of course, "buff" is completely relative here.

Of course, I have noticed a definite sort of mental confusion. I'm slightly airheaded and forgetful. I can't even count anymore.

See, I wrote this entire blog entry thinking I'd done 13 straight days of bikram yoga.

Actually, I've done eleven. ELEVEN. Onze. Once. Elf. Undici. ɪilɛvɛn.

*smacks forehead*

I Told You!

In my last post I promised that this wouldn't turn into a yoga blog. And it hasn't. Here's something cool I want to share with you.

One of my photos was used on National Geographic Traveler's Intelligent Travel blog today!

This week the blog is featuring Paris, and here's a link to the entry that uses my photo.

*blows on fingernails*
*shines nails on shirt*

I Promise

...that this blog won't turn into All Bikram Yoga, All The Time, but I just had to relate what happened during class today (all asana done! No lying down in savasana!):

Instructor: And today is Alison's eighth day!

Alison: Feels like 1600.

(chuckles from around the room)

Instructor: You should get a blog and write about this.

Alison: I have a blog, and I have been writing about this.

Instructor: (laughing) Uh-oh! I'm not sure I want to read it!

Before I left the studio, I asked Teach to pick out a Moo card, and told her my blog URL was on the back. She said "Oh, great! I'd like to read it." (Hiya, S!)

I will admit to not wanting to leave home this morning. The weather is morose (can I  personify it like that?) and did you know that it's February still? It's get-under-the-duvet weather. This shortest month is feeling especially long. I can't remember the last time the sun shone.

It's a good thing I forced myself to go to yoga, though. I'm feeling better. And I've got a hot shower to look forward to.

And On The Seventh Day...

...she thought it was the eighth.

Seriously, I've been thinking it's Friday ALL. DAY.

This morning's class was really difficult, because I'm simply exhausted. I've got the double whammy of physical and emotional fatigue. There are probably some hormones in there too, just for kicks. My trikonasana was a bust today (I had to lie down), but I managed to do all the other poses, despite everything. And I do really enjoy pushing my body. It's just that today's been hellacious.

So it's 4:30 in the afternoon, and I feel like I could sleep until the morning.

Day Five

So today in yoga I was able to go further than ever in some of the asana. Logical, right? But I was really proud of myself. Progress in just five days!

This afternoon I had so much energy it was amazing. I'm easing out of that now, since it's evening and I've been up since 6:30. I'm also kind of distracted by American Idol.

Yes. I am watching it. Don't you judge me!

Anyway, Wikipedia has some info on bikram yoga. The guy who "invented" it is not without controversy. Within the article, though, is a list of the 26 asana we do, and some of them have links so you can see how they're done. The killer ones for me are #6, 18, 19, 22, and 23, if you want to know.

And now, since I obviously can't blog coherently while watching AI, I'll end with this:

I am really enjoying this yoga challenge.

So Far, So Good

I'm not dead yet. I am pretty sore, though. Today's the threshold: third class is the hurdle to get over.

In other news, I have wonderful friends!

My New Job

In my last post, I wrote about having interviewed for a job I didn't get. Yeah, that was a drag, because it seemed like a perfect fit for me. But what I didn't mention is that I have been hired elsewhere.

The old adage "It's not what you know, it's who you know" does ring true. My friends Dan and Christine have asked me to help them market a new vodka they are distributing. I'm honored and proud to get behind such an outstanding product; this is simply the best vodka I have ever tasted. (No, I didn't use it in my pie crust.) I sipped it well-chilled and straight out of a shot glass.

Qino One is the first vodka made from organic, free trade quinoa, a South American grain. You can find out more by visiting the website. So far it is available in California (north and south), Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania (I know!) at restaurants and retailers by request.

My job — besides trying to get the stuff sold here in Kentucky — will be to use social networking sites to spread the word about Qino One. As of now, Qino One has its own Facebook account, and as time goes on, I'll be using more sites and blog ads to promote the product.

I know this is quite a departure from my usual blog posts, but I'm excited about Qino One. Also, my boss approved the subject matter, which is rare in the blogosphere. Stay tuned.

It. Kicked. My. Ass.

Whazzat?

Bikram yoga.

Allan and I just got back from our first class. I can't speak for him, but I am ready for bed. It was really hard, and we sat out for a number of the asanas. I did fairly well at the ones I knew from my yoga class four years ago, but the rest? Heh. And ouch. And yow. And jeebus.

But sometimes an ass-kicking is a good thing. I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

I Almost Forgot!

Today is my third blogiversary. Hippity hoppity, yeah yeah yeah.

My blog mojo hasn't been around much this past year, it seems. And right now I'm working on my other blog, so my mental energy is there instead of here. I will share a link to the Alison Timeline Blog when I am ready, by the way.

If you want some really exciting news, how about this: I just paid off my student loan!

Yay!

I stopped by the salon today to make an appointment. My luck was such that I got one for two hours later. And I thought I would have to wait until next week for a haircut and highlights! It had been almost six months; it was time.

Anyway, I'm really pleased. My stylist did a GREAT job.

Yesterday, Today

Yesterday I did a little happy dance for Picture Fool Sally, as I like to call her. You see, Sally just...well...go read it yourself.

Today we went to Old Navy to exchange a pair of yoga pants I'd bought last week. I'd tried on an XL, and they seemed to fit, so I bought two pairs. Oops. They're too big, but I didn't realize it until I wore one of the pairs. I mean, during my workout I had to HOLD THE PANTS UP. (Then I washed and dried them, thinking that might help. It didn't. I still have to hold them up).

So we went to exchange the other pair. It's usually fatal when we go to Old Navy, and we didn't leave with just a smaller size of yoga pant, oh no.

Because I Am Obviously Obsessed With Poking Holes In My Body...

   

     Bigger is better. Click to enlarge.

...I got my tragus pierced today. Allan and Mike's sister Jo Ann did, too. She drove. She went first (so I saw her grimace), and I still worked up the nerve to do it. I was afraid it would hurt as bad as the nose piercing did. (It didn't.)

Lurve

   

    Clicketh to better vieweth.

These are my feet in their new homes. (Those are my legs in my Old Navy jammie bottoms).

My feet are happy. They lurve the Crocs. Lurve, lurve, lurve.

But, my feet are asking me one question: why so long, Alison? Why so long for these small havens, these slices of paradise for us?

The only answer I have is Birkenstock, feet. Be ye not so ungrateful.

Star On The Wall

The other day I mentioned that my "measuring day" was coming up at Curves. Well, this morning I got weighed and measured. The 24th of each month is my day.

I gained two pounds. And a quarter-inch on my waist. What??!! I said I must be bloated, and my measurer said, "It's a possibility. Also, your body doesn't quite know what's happening to it." The only place that got smaller was my bicep. Go, biceps!

Then we did the body fat percentage. I dropped almost four percentage points, people. During my workout, the woman came up to me and said, "This ought to make you happy. You've lost five pounds of body fat. Do you want a star on the wall?" 

So I got a gold star today.