Day 3 and 4- Yoga and Meditation Challenge

DAY 3

Classes: 
Alana Kessler's Ashtanga inspired Vinyasa flow at Sangha Yoga Shala
Self Practice at the gym for 45 minutes

Meditation:
15 minutes

Notes:


Alana's Ashtanga inspired Vinyasa was surprisingly delicious.  I shy away from ashtanga because I prefer the unexpected sequences and flow of a vinyasa class rather than the perfect structure of the asthanga series.  Alana's class perfectly balanced the two.  The precise breath count felt like each pose was allowing my mind to take a break and to deeply enter each pose.  At the end of the class, I felt like I had meditated for an hour and 15 minutes.

Speaking of meditation, I can't seem to meditate on my own for as long as i'd like, now more than ever.  Putting pressure on myself  had the opposite effect on what I was trying to accomplish, and now I feel forced to meditate which makes me feel anxious about meditation thus making it much harder to achieve a calm mind.  Add the fact that i checked my bb as soon as I woke up, drank a bit too much wine and do not have earplugs, and there goes my meditation practice.  

I should have known better- Lama Kelly had warned us about the effects of checking our phones before meditation.  Also, she told us to get ear plugs so unexpected noises don't distract us (there is construction next to my apartment).  So I bought some earplugs and the challenge continues.

DAY 4

Yesterday I took a break from the challenge since I taught yoga all day long!  I practiced for about 45 minutes on my own.  

I was not sore yesterday.  My muscles got used to the beating quickly!

Day 2- Yoga and Meditation Challenge

Classes: 
Jivamukti with Cassandra
Conquering Lion Yoga with Lisa Jacobson

Meditation:
NONE. WTF.  (Too sleepy in the AM, high on caffeine in the PM).

Observations:

Cassandra's class was amazing!  It was really, really challenging in a good way. Clear instruction into full standing bow, and some crazy pose that looks something like the one below, but the arms are in knees, chest and chin arms.  Your chin is on the floor!  And now my chin is slightly bruised.  But it was really fun.  I also loved her class included handstand practice, forearm stand practice into scorpion, and half-moon pose with bow variation.




Lisa Jacobson's class at The Three Jewels:  If you've not had a chance to go to Lisa's class, you are really missing out.  Lisa's class started with a Dharma talk that made me all warm and fuzzy, a feeling that lasted throughout the entire class.  The class itself was a challenging, with many twists.  The music was awesome, and her adjustments are like getting a massage every time.  I felt surprisingly energetic through the class even though I had just finished the class at Jiva.  Lastly,  the savasana adjustment I got from Lisa is probably the best one I've had in my life- lavender oil massage on my shoulders and a scalp massage that felt I was at the hair salon.  I left the class high on yoga.

P.S.  My muscles are sore as f&^k!

Day 1- Yoga and Meditation Challenge

Classes:  
Jivamukti at 3:00 pm with Jessica,  I practiced alone at the gym for 45 minutes.

Meditation: 

Only for 15 minutes on my own, 5 minutes in Jessica's class.  Total of 20 minutes.  

Observations: 
I am sore! but in a good way.  My shoulders and hamstrings.  

Jessica kicks ass.  Her instruction is so clear, I never get confused.  She is also very good at keeping her breath count nice and even and she is so lovely.

I have been practicing handstand almost every day for months.  I don't always stay up, but yesterday I stayed up for about 15 seconds!

I need to work on meditation, way more than yoga.  I should quit drinking coffee in the morning for it is almost impossible to meditate with caffeine.  I may try a guided meditation at The Three Jewels and also some online guided meditations tonight.

Today:
Jivamulti at 4:00 pm and  Lisa Jacobson's class at The 3 Jewels, 6:00 pm.  Let's see if I am able to move tomorrow.

Deep down, I'm loving this adjustment.  Alyssa is amazing.