Post-challenge

Whilst I imagined myself today face down in the toilet I take great proud in saying that I feel great and it's been such a lovely Saturday morning!

Yesterday was my post challenge & Dutch Queens-day celebration.
It actually felt like it was my birthday as chocolates where waiting on my desk at work -given by colleague- and everyone was congratulating me on completing the challenge and the ability to eat and drink again freely.

And eating and drinking I did.... Chocolates for breakfast with my first cup of coffee in 32 days. A cheesymite scroll for lunch followed by deep fried shenanigans and Heineken all throughout Friday night. To top this of we visited our good friend Jack; also known as Hungry Jacks for a midnight snack.

I woke up early this morning -if I might ad without a hangover- and went for an early morning run. First run again since like...well...I can't even seem to remember. It went really well and I enjoyed this so much that I am considering running the 2010 City2Surf. On my way back home found a cute boulangerie where I bought really dark rye bread. This is very uncommon in Australia to find so this was a joyful moment. Got home, took a shower, did some shopping, had lunch and will be going out for dinner tonight which should be lovely.

Bikram must have made my body strong as I seem resistant to the damage done last night! I'll be back in the hot room tomorrow.


I'll start a new blog soon (must keep writing to practice for my one day to be published bestselling book ;-) which will entail random topics and my opinions, thoughts, reflections, hopes, dreams, feelings. All that and more so stay tuned...!

The heat is off.

Gotta love the finish line!

It’s been 31 days of hard physical labour but now the challenge is completed!
I was so over it by class number 34 but ended my challenge yesterday with an awesome class ‘number 35’ in front row!
I feel I have improved my practice and I feel great.

Today, welcome joy back in my life!
Thanks ya’ll for your support; I enjoyed writing this blog and loved your responses! I'll start a new blog soon....

I have a dream...........

My new dream: I'd love to have my own studio some day....!
Now, to make this happen I just need to win the lottery first, do teacher training in Las Vegas and then I am good to go ;-)
But it's good to dream, right?

It has happened, due to this challenge 'Bikram yoga has become a habit'. And a great habit it is to have.
I hope it sticks with me because I have to admit; I easily get bored of things. The benefits are huge though so it does stand a chance.

Since I have started practicing Bikram yoga I have experienced the following benefits:
* Weight loss;
* Body toning;
* Clearer skin;
* Calmer mind;
* Lesser inflammations in joints;
* Stronger stomach/ bowel;
* Better control in breathing/ bigger intake of oxygen in lungs;
* Improved metabolism;

Only 4 days/ 5 classes left in my journey. Excitement galore!

Friday I'll be celebrating 'Dutch Queens-day'. This includes deep fried Dutch food and Heineken. -I'll probably be drunk of my face after my 2nd Heineken so no Bikram on Saturday.

Hella nr.30!

I have done it; I have completed class number 30 today with still 6 days left in the challenge!!
- Photo: The 30-day/30-classes challenge board. See the smiley face... that's me!

Friday’s class was good. I practically danced gracefully though all postures with a smile on my face. Loved the teacher, loved that it was nice and hot and loved my concentration and commitment.
I rewarded myself with a banquet and yummy spreads for dinner. I have so much love for bread, crazy really. I could eat bread all day long....every day.... In fact, I would.... Ooh –lost my train of thought, where was I..? Oh yes, my practice.

I started yesterday morning with, well let’s say, not my favorite teacher -see previous blog. You can imagine that I wasn’t too excited but I went anyway cause the other option was to get up at 6 am for a different class which honestly really wasn’t an option at all for me ;-) Besides, this was a perfect opportunity for me to see if my anger was really meant for the teacher or if it was just the challenge kicking in. Conclusion; although her dialogue is alright, it was cold again (so much even that people got up and closed the window which she had just opened) and again she expected us yogi’s to speak up in the silent room. Yep... I am sure, I really don’t like her classes. But I pulled through and did well.
I took another class that afternoon which was class number 30; hot room, better teacher, good result and kudos for completing the challenge early!

Now, having done 30, I might just want to aim for 40 classes in the 30 days..? Could I, would I, should I...? We will see my friends!

Final week!

1 more week...... 1 more week!

I did a double class yesterday, 3.5 hours in the hot room.
1st Class was good. My favourite teacher, good balance and strong class. My new yoga outfit is treating me well.
2nd Class was horrific. New teacher, cold class and I just got really angry -almost aggressive.

During many classes teachers have told me that different emotions can come up, especially when doing a challenge like the one I am doing this month.
I thought I always understood what they meant with that but yesterday gave me a whole new understanding. I felt calm, peaceful and happy all day yesterday until my 2nd class. The teacher wasn't too nice to my friend -I tell you, don't mess with my friends- so that set my mood for the rest of class. She wanted everyone to respond to her 'good evening' and later on repeat a stupid joke she made. It's a silent room, -please shut up is what I was thinking (with a few extra words/ expressions). She kept opening both doors and it was actually really cold. Cold... I tell you... in the hot room!
She must have seen that I got a little angry because she said "you know, it takes 43 muscles to frown, and only 3 muscles to smile". -I wondered how many muscles it would take me to punch her in the face and leave the room.
Unsure if this was just the emotional state of the challenge erupting or if I really was not a fan of the new (temporary!) teacher.
When walking home with my friend after our double, the experience somehow seemed all too funny all of a sudden and I could not stop laughing. Such a random mood swing. Felt like a crazy person.

Anyways, 1 more week to go! Hurrah!

“Success is the sweet reward for turning believing into achieving. Unique to each individuals dream, accomplishment is universal in the thrill of a job well done.
Set your goals high and pursue them with passion. Success is not measured in the size of the outcome, but the depth of the effort”.

2250 minutes of Bikram Yoga

Got my 25th class coming up tonight (AKA 2250 minutes of Bikram yoga completed) with tomorrow only 1 week away from the finish line!

State of play:
Feeling tired, hungry, bored, healthy, proud, and strong.
-I still totally love practise.

Spotted:
Unsure if this is even possible, but I swear I have grown a whole new set of abdominal muscles.
It feels like my lower rib and my waistline have grown some new muscles which now are getting acquainted and trying to find their position. They clearly haven’t found a comfortable place just yet as it still feels like something has been inserted surgically. ‘Please dissolve and make room I ask you fatty bits, you are no longer needed!’

Practise:
Sunday morning practise was awful. Bad energy in class, and ¼ of people in class sat down already during warm-up postures. It was extremely hot and humid. It felt like pure torture. My muscles refused to bend or stretch.
Sunday evening went well. Muscles gave in to what I asked of them and I regained energy and strength.
Monday went okay. Didn’t give a 100%.....
Tuesday went well. I pushed myself back in front row with the pressure to perform.
After class I gave myself a motivational pressie: new yoga outfit. Strange things can motivate me these days and I have so deserved that!
Practise has become a habit by now and I no longer have the internal dialogue going on before classes.
[Example:] “I don’t want to”; “but it would be good to go, -you’ll feel better after”; “but I really don’t feel like going”; “get dressed and go!”; “I don’t think I drank enough water”; ”drink your water now and go” ---etc etc…!
The studio feels like my 2nd home now and teachers are my social highlight each day.

On a final note:
Watching Masterchef while sipping my cup of tea is absolutely killing me….

Thinking back.

It requires a 20 minute walk to get to my Bikram yoga studio.
I always listen to my iPod during this walk. I got to think how some songs bring memories.

I have a song which reminds me of an awesome holiday to Ibiza. This song was played at every club and even when I woke up in the morning and approached my balcony I heard this repeatedly at the pool. I have a song which reminds me of England and I have a whole bunch of songs which remind me of an exhausting 10-12.5 km run on the treadmill in the gym multiple times a week (dislike these songs now and the gym).
Music can definitely set/ change my mood.

It’s not just music that brings back memories. Locations work really well that way. I often walk past a location/ venue and it brings up memories. It that just me..?

I can still crack myself up in a lift (thanks Francien; that moment in the Monster elevator was so funny, I can’t seem to let this go). Cargo Lounge reminds me of some awesome sunnies (thanks Simon). The Slip-inn reminds me of work (thanks Key media, -awesome times end of ‘09). Bungalow 8 reminds me of an unexpected and hilarious night out (thanks Ilona, or should I say Tulula). Tonic reminds me of Shani (Shani, seriously; don’t bring me there ever again, and stop serving shots). Cohi bar reminds me of hangovers (thanks Sjoukje & Rolf). The Dutch shop reminds me of shared love for (Dutch) food and good times (thanks Marieke & Emiel).
Burwood –Hays- reminds me of a dreadful 4 months but also the start of an awesome friendship (thanks Stuart). Good conversations (email and AOL included) remind me of an understanding and good friend (thanks Leonie). Bikram reminds me of a shared passion (thanks Jacqui). Backpacking reminds me of falling in love with Australia (thanks Suzanne). Vienna and Paris will always remind me of my previous employer (thanks Monsters, -miss you guys). New York will always remind me of my engagement (thanks babe for making it really special). Almere reminds me of great nights out (thanks Paulien, I love to dance for you), Alkmaar reminds me of my independence (thanks little cute room I rented to pick up my life) and Heiloo reminds me of feeling so at home during our last trip to Holland (thanks Donia & Mark, -love you).
Many more memories, too many to recall and not all suited for publication ;-)
But last but not least; Sydney reminds me every day on how grateful I am to be here (thanks Sydney, you are gorgeous).

Not sure I how I got to this topic again… But I like thinking back. ‘Regain memories and evaluating life choices’.
-Hope many more good memories are on its way!

'Yoga Truck'

Could it be... that I've been hit by the yoga truck...?
I am exhausted.

Woke up extremely tired yesterday with a headache and sore throat.
This was also the morning that my 'yoga loving' friend from Poland (someone who loves Bikram just as much as I do; true story) would come along to do a class together at my studio.
Surprisingly this went okay. Mind over matter! My balance was a bit off though.. almost fell on her mat a couple of times.
She has gotten the idea somehow that I would be really good. Pressure..! Well my friends, I wish. Let me set things straight; I am still pretty average.
I wanted to do another class this Saturday afternoon but instead I ate a whole pack of oatmeal cookies (fail...) and spend the rest of the day on the couch and in bed.

Today: Still exhausted.
That yoga truck hit me hard.
But I am getting ready as we speak for my 10 am class and I will do another class at 5.30 pm.
Note to myself; 'do not buy any cookies anymore'!

Tonight I will have completed 22 classes. So close... and yet so far away.
Still love it though!

“Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans”

WOO-HOO!

Yesterday was an awesome day!

I walked in to my studio for a 5.30 pm class and immediately my teacher –and also owner of the school- commented on how great my postures look. I had improved so much lately and he was really impressed!
I responded a bit bedazzled with a ‘Uh, Gosh….thank you *blush*’ and later followed this up like a normal human being with a proper conversation.
I mentioned that all tips are very welcome because I really want to step up and get really, really good (front row good as you, my friends, might recall from my blog)
And, you know what his response was….. do ya….do ya……….? Let me tell you (with great excitement)! He said that I am already front row good!

Funny how this random stuff makes me happy.
Might just be that I am quite the perfectionist or might be that I am a sucker for compliments -I’ll put my money on the combo of these 2.
I like to do things really well; otherwise I don’t want to do it at all (what’s the use..?) So, also with Bikram, I have seen myself improving, I know it’s definitely possible to improve more, so why not make sure I’ll get awesome at it.

He gave me a couple of tips in response to postures I said I struggle with and after class he wants to help me get better by doing a new exercise which should help me improve in many postures by increasing my total back flexibility. This exercise looks freakin’ scary though as he showed me so I escaped the building immediately after an exhausting class yesterday.
I will take him up on his offer, as soon as I find the courage…!

Anyhow, I am back in front row. Well…. at least yesterday I was.

Quick run down on my practise over the last few days:
Tuesday 5.30 class: Good class but my balance was a bit off…
Wednesday 5.30 class: Class went really well. I go deeper in half moon posture and am able to maintain my standing and floor bow poses high up for the entire time. Wanted to maybe do a double but wasn’t up for that. Hot-hot class so went home for a longgg hot shower!
Thursday 5.30 class: Halfway in the 30 days! Did my 18th class in 15 days! Got great compliment and went back in front row. WOO-HOO!
Got home yesterday with 12 bottles of lovely wine sitting at my front porch…. Why again did we order these already..? They look so nice and whisper my name at night…. But I’ll leave them unopened till May 1! YES I CAN!

Doing a 5.30 class again this evening and probably/hopefully doubles Saturday and Sunday!

Totattooornottotattoo

Since I have started Bikram I have been thinking about maybe... just maybe... getting a tattoo.
I have never been too keen for tattoo's and certainly have never wanted to get one myself.

My Bikram teacher sure does have 2 gorgeous tattoo's and I have started noticing other pretty ones as well. I am very aware that I can't copy her tattoo, -I don't think she would love that idea so either I have to quit Bikram (at my studio at least) or wear more clothing to cover it up...!
Not sure still if I should go for it though. Reason being is that I know that I am very impulsive and I change my mind so often. I can totally love something today and hate it next week.

So the question is 'to tattoo or not to tattoo'?
I know kind of what I want and where I want it (middle/ lower back or the left/ right side of my waistline) and have been thinking about this for the last 3 - 6 months or so. And don't worry my friends, I won't get like a dolphin or heart tattoo inked for life on my upper arm (or anything remotely like that).

Peace of mind

Over the last 5 months I just wanted some peace of mind.
Unsure on how I got where I was but it made me rethink my life and everything in it. It wasn’t like all the times before where I searched for purpose in my life and went looking for that -I am very impulsive so I do this a lot... More then I’d like to admit even and many times it’s focused on my career. What career...? Yup, exactly!

This time I had so many things going on in my mind, but all thoughts seemed like little pieces of a very complicated puzzle and I could not get things back in place. Now....I finally have found peace of mind. I feel calm and happy, GEE... most days I even walk the streets of beautiful Sydney town with a smile on my face.

Bikram forces me to concentrate and calm my mind. The first year practicing Bikram yoga my thoughts were everywhere during the 90 minutes class; ‘what will I eat after, what movie do I want to watch, what present can I give my little niece who will turn 1 year old soon, when do I go again, should I do groceries’, all kinds of random day2day stuff. It’s only recently that I learned to focus on keeping balance, maintaining strength in postures and besides that keep a clear mind. Clearly it helped me on a personal level which I am grateful for.

Yes, I love bikram. No doubt about it. It has had so many benefits for me. If bikram yoga was a person (no not referring to the founder of bikram, but the activity) I would give it little hugs and kisses, now that's how much I love it. I would love to take it on a holiday, and yes that’s a real possibility. There are these Bikram retreats in Hawaii where you do 2 classes a day, eat healthy, relax and enjoy. Expensive but definitely on my wish list.
Another thing I’d love to do is Teacher Training in Las vegas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_pXsGUUYtM). 9 weeks of extensive torture to become a teacher. Not sure if I’d even want to teach bikram yoga, but it would sure be the extreme challenge. Let’s make sure i get my Permanent Residency first (go Straya!) and then maybe pursue that possibility....

Halfway (in classes)

I have completed my 15th class this evening!
Officially I am halfway in amount of classes to do, but I still aim to top of the challenge with a few extra classes.
Thursday I am officially halfway within the 30-days of the challenge!

Being halfway I can proudly say that -as promised to myself- I have had no alcohol, nicotine, fatty foods, meat and caffeine for the last 14 days.
Withholding on yummy food is tough... take for example the chocolate Easter eggs in my fridge, I swear they call out my name at night... Sigh...
But not having alcohol, meat, nicotine and caffeine is surprisingly easy. It sure does make me feel mighty great!

As for my practice over the last few days:
I have not been back in the front row. I get annoyed when people who are really not too good position themselves in the front row and I have to admit that I am really not 'front row good enough'(yet...!).
2nd row it is for me. I still have 2.5 weeks to become a yogi superstar (EEK...)

The weekend classes where awesome. Each class I was able to go to a new level within a couple of different poses. Such good improvement and I felt both strong and proud.

Today was a whole different story..... Worst class this month. My body decided to surprise me with exhaustion and a major lock-down. My body and muscles where tired and not at all stretching and bending into the postures.
Weird really, because leading up to the class I felt energized and ready to rock my 'halfway -15th-' class.
Oh well, tomorrow another day - another class...!

Japanese Ham sandwich

21 days to go....

I have been going strong, stacking up extra Bikram classes to not just to the expected 30 classes but aim for 40 classes before May 1.
I've done 11 so far.

Did a double -back2back- class yesterday which was tough.
3.5 hours in the hot room... Normally my face is red like a tomato but at the end I looked like Casper. Proud to have done it though and slept like a baby last night!

This week I have, for the first time, been able to fold myself into the Japanese Ham sandwich pose with locked knees! I keep improving which is great especially since I also notice my body getting tighter the longer I am in this challenge. My teachers say it's normal to experience tightness, it's your body's way to protect itself. I do believe that the electrolytes that I have are helping me regain strenght quickly. I still have a long way to go to improve each and every posture and am still often amazed about some yogi's in the room and their execution of the postures. Wonder if I will ever get there..?

I do feel hungry a lot. Maybe it's just the fact that I can't have certain things is making me want it more (we always want what we can't have, right..) or maybe it's my body craving for energy to rebuild (but I am sure a cheesymite scroll won't offer much good). I'll stick to the diet I have given myself for this challenge although life is much more fun with nice wines and foods.

Doubles scheduled on Saturday and Sunday so I'll write again in the weekend.

Video..?

I have completed the 1st week!

3 things stood out for me today.

I weigh myself daily, just to measure and keep close track of the path to my goal weight and to see how my body responds to different foods I eat throughout each day.
I lost 3.5 kg's in 4 days (woo-hoo!) but this morning I woke up and I gained 0.7 (boo-hoo...)
It made me wonder, could I actually gain weight by thinking about food. I sure have thought a lot about chocolate and self pitied myself all throughout Monday and I am pretty sure that I don't sleepwalk to my fridge at night. How did this happen..? *Sigh*. I secretly hope the scale was mistaken and it will surprise me tomorrow morning.

I was feeling hungry again today right up until my colleague -and also a profound bikram lover- told me about this video made 2 years ago where I apparently looked very different.
Video.... I wondered with enormous fear and ran over to have a look. And then I saw the video. It was quick but hard to miss. How could I have forgotten about this...! It was horrific really. It looked like 25 kilo's where stuffed in my face alone. Oi...! Made me think about this 1 picture I have with me and my husband out for dinner when we just arrived in Sydney. Our belly's are actually hanging on our thigh's and our faces where 3 times larger then nowadays. That was my fattest moment ever. I look at that every now and again when I feel like pizza and I can tell you that I don't feel like pizza after seeing that photo!
I wish though that I could be one of those people who can just eat, eat and eat and still stay a perfect size 8. I acknowledge to be over-compulsive when it comes to food which doesn't make it easier but I have to be quite careful with what I eat and gain weight pretty quickly... Not fair really but a reality which I have to face.

Maybe these 1st 2 things happening today made me ready for a strong bikram class because I placed myself in the front row today! First time ever...!
I was kind of scared that the teacher might come up to me and say out loud "Fiona, what are you doing there, don't kid yourself and please step back" but thankfully he didn't! I pushed myself hard throughout class because when you are front row you need to lead the class, can't take breaks and have to do all postures and so I did. It's been a great way to finish my not too awesome day!

Monday....Monday.....

Today started just fine and I took a morning class.
Class was packed with a record number of people (more then 80...) literally everyone was mat to mat. YUK....

It went quite well although I noticed that my muscles are starting to get exhausted. But 1/3 through class I picked up, finished strong and even talked myself into taking a 2nd class this afternoon. I didn't take the 2nd class though... I got cold, tired and hungry. Fail!

I had a tough afternoon with my mind set on food so I nibbled on a couple of roasted almonds and 1 small pack of sultana's after lunch to indulge myself. Had an urge for white chocolate, which worst of all I actually have sitting in my fridge thanks to Key Media but I managed to restrain myself. Must save for next month! Probably will eat the entire pack May 1st.... Just had some organic soup with heaps of vegies for dinner and this finally filled me up!
To bad I wasn't up anymore for that 2nd class... Lazy rest of the day, doing absolutely nothing besides watching movies and writing this (short) blog. Yawnnn, I might have a minor lack of energy today..?

Energy!

I have never in my life felt this energized!
I wake up, without an alarm, at 7.15am each morning which is really unnecessary but it just keeps happening. This morning was worse due to daylight savings so therefore I woke up at 6.15am....!
After morning classes I try to take a nanna nap -oh, how I love(d)that- but my body feels no need to fall asleep anymore in afternoons or sleep-in every morning.
Thankfully I sleep well at night for at least a solid 8 hours...!
I guess it's a great thing but it takes some getting used to because for many years sleeping has been my greatest talent. I rocked that talent.

Did you know it's takes the human body 28 days to create a habit and only 3-days to break that habit.
After 28 days I'll be even more hooked to bikram yoga and made going each day a habit. Just have to make sure that keep going after the challenge. Obviously I won't go every day anymore or do double classes after the challenge, but at least 3 or 4 x a week should be manageable.

l am still keen to do double classes each weekend to 'up' my challenge. Did a double again today which went really well. Only 4 days in the challenge and already 6 classes done *YAY*. No more lower back pain which I solved by strengthening my core and being mindful at the sit-ups.
I am starting to get a bit more hungry throughout the days after doing double classes which is caused my my muscles rebuilding and obviously the approx 1100-calories I burn per class. Diet is going great though. Still in no need for meat, wine or junk food. Although yesterday I thought about a nice glass of red wine for like a second.

Muscles tired now.... mind still energized.
Up for 1 class tomorrow, last one in the Easter long weekend, and a good friend who is doing the challenge as well and the hubby are coming with me. Must do well...!
Happy Easter, nightynight!

Double trouble.

I felt extremely energised yesterday! After my 10am class I got home, took a nice long shower and enjoyed a healthy lunch. I even cleaned the house and did groceries. I felt a bit restless so I made the decision to put this energy overload into good use and took another class at 5.30pm. My 2 toughest teachers where on and it was busy, hot and humid in both classes but I survived both classes with full commitment. Now I have the pleasure to feel how much I worked my muscles (ouch...) This morning I practiced again (it went well) and was hoping for another energy burst to do a double again but my lower back is sore. Probably I needed to engage my core more to protect my lower back. Hope I do this better tomorrow where yet again my intention is to do a double class!

So, conclusion so far is that it’s going great.
I take great pleasure in taking such good take of myself by eating extremely healthy and I can actually feel and see the difference already, only 4 days in the challenge!
It’s fun to see how many friends feel sorry for me when I decline alcohol or chocolate. It’s really not that bad folks (well...not yet at least)!

I learn so much during my yoga classes, I thought I’d share some interesting facts with ya’ll:
• The human body carries around approximately 2 till 7 kg’s of waste foods/toxins.
• Yoga –discovered thousands and thousands of years ago- was given as a medicine back in the day for all kinds of illnesses, pains and dysfunctions.
• It’s funny how people never give their full 100% immediately. The mind seems to always hold back on actions. If I would ask you to make a fist and squeeze very tight and then seconds later ask you to squeeze tighter you can always find power to actually give more.
• Yoga cleans/ detoxifies the inside of your body. You clean your teeth; why not clean your inside? Also, during class you will experience a big increase in hard rate at times. My teachers always say; give yourself a mini heart attack now so you won’t get one later.
• Bikram yoga is claimed to systematically stimulate and restore health to every muscle, joint, and organ of the body.
• According to Bikram Choudhury (founder), many people only use up to 50 percent of their lung capacity, and just like any muscle, the lungs must be stretched in order to (through practice) withstand holding more oxygen. When one is practicing pranayama s/he will eventually be able to enhance oxygen conversion and absorption, as well as improve blood circulation. This is true of any cardiovascular activity.
• People always ask me why the room is heated. This is for all the reasons below:
* Your body burns fat more effectively, fat may be redistributed and burned as energy during the class. It is common to lose centimeters of shape in a very short time
* The heat produces a fluid-like stretch allowing for greater range of movement in joints, muscles, ligaments and other supporting structures of the body
* Capillaries dilate in the heat; more effectively oxygenating the tissues, muscles, glands and organs and helping in the removal of waste products
* Your peripheral circulation improves due to enhanced perfusion of your extremities
* Your metabolism speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids
* You benefit from a strengthening of willpower, self control, concentration and determination in this challenging environment
* Your cardiovascular system gets a thorough workout
* Your muscles and connective tissue become more elastic and allow for greater flexibility with less chance of injury and improved resolution of injury
* Sweating promotes detoxification and elimination through the skin - which is the body's largest eliminating organ
* Just as when your body raises its temperature to fight infection, the raised temperature in the room will assist in improving T-cell function and the proper functioning of your immune system
* Your nervous system function is greatly improved and messages are carried more efficiently to and from your brain
* Metabolism improves in your digestive system and in the body's cells (that is food in the gut and nutrients in the cells)

I feel happy right now to be in a horizontal pose on my couch with my laptop reflecting on my last couple of days and imagining to extend my challenge throughout this month by doing double classes each weekend (Saturdays & Sundays), total of 38 classes! So far, 4 down! I’ll let you know how I go.

Go.....!

GO.........!

Yes, I have started the Bikram challenge today and I had an awesome day leading up to it!

I was a bit nervous for my first class within this challenge because it could set my mood for the rest of the challenge and also during my last few classes my main focus was to not pass out and not vomit.

I entered the hot room with excitement for the challenge and was well prepared (AKA hydrated). One of my favourite teachers was scheduled who is not too tough, shares little jokes throughout class, always has some interesting facts to share and is also the owner of my school. This was going to be the start of a new bikram beginning and I was ready! No more holding back and immediately letting go of lazy routines.

How did it go? I am glad you asked! It went great! I didn’t get dizzy or nauseous (thanks to the cleanse I did the last 2 days!)
Best of all; tonight I have done a pose which I have never done before ’toe stand’ which is the pose at the very end of the standing series. Yes, confession time....after about 18 months of bikram yoga I have never, –uhhuh never-, done that pose. A teacher said, during my very first class, that by doing this pose your knee might pop out and this has made me too much of a woos to even ever give it a try. Knees are a sensitive enough topic as it is (as would the people who know me be aware of). But I did it and it and it went pretty well. So from experience I’d like to say “no reason to fear that one my fellow yogi’s who share this fear, just give it a try!” So, after tonight I am on my way already to become a ‘front row good yogi superstar’!
I also got a great compliment and I quote "Good Fiona, look at how far you've come"! Yes, I am a sucker for compliments *blush*!
I am so excited I might even do a double class tomorrow....