11 Days of Yoga

(All photos courtesy of studio website)

I’ve officially been to 11 classes at the new studio that opened around the corner from my house & I am addicted!  They are still ironing out their schedule & I’m still trying to find a way to get in some weights at the gym, but I have been enjoying the 5:30 AM class on Monday’s and Wednesday’s after my 3.5 mile runs.  I’ve tried a Tuesday & Thursday morning class, as well as one on Friday afternoons that might all end up in the final mix.  The majority of my classes have been the Hot Suntouch, but I did give the Ashtanga vinysa a whirl on Tuesday evening.  So far, I enjoy the slow and deliberate nature of the suntouch classes that allow me to focus mentally and fine-tune my form in the poses.

My first experience with yoga was using the Wii Fit several years ago & I started enjoying the challenge of the poses.  About 6 months ago, I started taking a Sunday class at my gym a few times a month but it was just a huge class devoted to a wide-ranging ability group.  I was so excited to see a studio, with a hot room, opening in my neighborhood & offering a variety of classes throughout the day.  The yoga room is small and intimate with advanced infrared technology to get the heat going without being over-bearing.  I usually have a pretty good sweat going, but it’s not ridiculously hot or humid (and I say this as somebody who HATES the summer heat in Houston).

To me, yoga has been the perfect complement to my running and to my life.  I *know* I am in shape enough to run a marathon, but I want my body to have the flexibility to guard against injuries. Sure, I can run for 26.2 miles, but can I balance on one leg for 30 seconds?  Running requires incredible endurance from my legs, but I want my core, especially my back and abs, to be just as strong and powerful as my legs that thrust me forward for 5 hours.  I really needed a new challenge- something that was different and new, the slight variations in each class with the same familiar poses that I try to do just a little better or hold just a little longer than the last time.

My main goals with yoga right night are strength (core and back), balance and flexibility.  I have horrible posture and I’d really like to use yoga as a time to focus on correcting it and improving the strength in my back. I particularly enjoy the challenge of the balance poses- which are strengthening legs and ankles and core muscles while requiring concentration and focus to control my body.  I don’t have a regular stretch routine, except when I hit the gym and do weights.  Running so many miles & hoping to complete several marathons this year, I really need to keep my quads lengthened and muscles stretched out to avoid injury.  Finally, I’ve enjoyed the time to focus and breath.  Breathing is something we’ve been doing all of our life, but we are usually not doing it in the most optimal way.  During class, I use the opportunity to breath deeply and draw in oxygen fully into my lugs with Ujjayi breath.  I use the 90 minutes of class to practice being present in the moment and listening to my body- fighting the temptation to let my mind wander to my lists of things to do or worrying about my day.  I’m so glad I discovered all the benefits of yoga & a wonderful studio that has great instructors that provide such wonderful insight and help with proper techniques.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Today is a day of rest! No running, no yoga, no teaching tonight, no hubby or plans for tonight.