Saturday 12 October 2013

Day 108 - Finished!

Wow.  Well, it's done!  108 Sun Salutations and 108 days of yoga in a row.

I did them this morning after mobilizing for about 15 minutes.  It was pretty tough but enjoyable - I had to ignore a tricep niggle which set in at around number 50!  I wasn't able to reflect on the 108 days whilst doing the SS's because the speed is pretty quick so not much time for reflective thought.  I won't spoil the ending of the 108 SS on the DVD, but it is moving and this is when I felt teary.  I then stood for a while with my hands in prayer position and thought about my journey.

It really shaped my summer, that's number one.  When I look back on the Summer of 2013, I'll be saying, "that was the summer I did my first 108 journey".  I feel like I've been given a gift; this actually feels more like the start of the journey now I've finished - the 108 days was a preparation, or foundation.  Funny that lots of opportunities seem to have arisen in my last week.  Spooky!

Number two: that Travis is a hell of a wise man!  He moves you through a class and manages to say exactly the right thing at exactly the right moment.  I can only imagine what it's like to take a live class with him - maybe one day I will.  I am thankful that I found him and this programme.

Number three: the production and music were faultless.  They contributed immensely to the experience and I thank all those involved, including the participants in the DVD classes who all came from different places, with different sizes and shapes, strengths and weaknesses and gave it their all, 100%.

And of course, number four.  The fabulous people in the facebook group - it would definitely not have been the same without them.  I thank them all for their encouragement, support, wisdom and most importantly, their humour.  We mustn't forget to laugh and have fun.

I wish everyone on their journey, whichever round it is, all the very best and anyone who's contemplating it - what are you waiting for?!  You will NOT regret it!

Namaste :).

Friday 11 October 2013

Day 107 - The eve of my 108 Sun Salutations and a spot of Yin

Just finished Yin on my second to last day of the programme!  I still can't relax into the poses like so many others seem to be able to do but I did it and that's the main thing.  It's getting a lot colder now so if I continue with Yin after the programme I'll have to put the heating on - I could feel an uncomfortable draught as I lay at the end trying to relax.  Cold!

Worked with a couple of clients today and on my article.  Tomorrow I will do more work but I will be doing my 108 Sun Salutations first thing, with maybe a bit of a warm up first.  It's gonna be tough!  Still not sure how I'll manage to run on Sunday, bearing in mind how sore my hamstrings were the day after the 72 SS's!

Off to read my book and chill.  Namaste!

Thursday 10 October 2013

Day 106 - Almost there!

Spent some time lying in bed this morning weighing up morning Gentle yoga versus evening.  I decided on the morning; even though I'm less flexible, it's my favourite time for yoga and in the evening it means kicking David out of the living room which isn't really fair.

I quite enjoyed it, although I felt really tight.  I just took it very easy and gradually my body loosened up.

I then went for a swim - still get riled about some people (always men!) not having any manners when it comes to swimming in lanes.  Just simple manners, nothing complicated.  But they have none.  Ah well.  Still got my mile in and the water was surprisingly warm on this chilly day.  Brrrr.

Did quite a lot of work after swimming, in the form of emailing and networking.  We have quite a few things on the horizon, all quite exciting :).

Went out to pick up my contact lenses and sat in a coffee shop to work on my article.  Didn't get it all finished but have the structure sorted and am about one third of the way through.  Hope to finish it tomorrow, in amongst training people.

I plan to do Yin in the evening tomorrow because David will be out training his martial arts crew.  Then Saturday is my final day.  Yikes!

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Day 105 - The running has it

Just come back from a delicious run.  The weather was quite autumnal - breezy, a bit of cloud and a bit of sun.  Not too cold.  Perfect.  I often wonder if I like yoga or running better - I have to say, I think running has the edge :).

I did Mountain Pose earlier this morning.  After several good sessions with this one, I can safely say that it is definitely beneficial for me.  I have to do Yin and Gentle this week, which I'm still on the fence with.  Hmm...

Lots of the facebook group began their round two yesterday.  I think for most of them, they've been continuing to practise yoga and do other types of exercise but they've missed the structure and the support that comes with doing it as a group.  I'm still undecided whether or not I'll do another round, but I suspect that after a break, I'll be ready to head into round 2.  Once again, we'll see!

I have only just eaten breakfast (at 3pm!) so I need to get some work done and have a shower before some clients late this evening.  My early client that I usually have on Wednesdays cancelled last night, so today won't be as long as my Wednesdays usually are.  So, it'll be breakfast at 3pm and then dinner at 10.45pm today.  It'll keep me going in my morning swim.

Planning to head out and find somewhere different to work tomorrow.  I hope to have completed my notes for an article I'm writing and then I'll find a nice, quiet coffee shop tomorrow to write it in.  

I'm already planning which DVDs I'm going to do immediately post 108.  I'm going to do a Rodney Yee one first (really hoping to see/feel lots of improvement there), a Shiva Rea one and then my old favourite, Detox!  Not all on the same day though!  Can't wait :).

Day 104 - Not much!

Last Cardio session today - of the 108 anyway!  It went fine, although I was still just a bit bunged up from swimming yesterday so it took a while to get into my breathing. 

I spent most of the day at the pc which was a pain.  I made sure I got up regularly and worked out a nice flow for my client later on.

I'm writing this the day after and I really can't remember much else about it - must have been a pretty uneventful day!

Monday 7 October 2013

Day 103 - Last Balance session!

Balance this morning.  Glad to say it went better than the last two balance sessions, so I was quite pleased with that.  My right leg was almost better than my left which was weird!  This was my last Balance class of the series and I didn't manage the leg up arm balance but I will keep working on it - it's one I want to conquer!

Went swimming straight afterwards.  My goggles have a habit of leaking so after four lengths worth of having my left eye filled with water, I borrowed David's spare ones and realized how uncomfortable I've been in my other ones!  David's spares (I have the same pair here at home) mist up, which is why we got new ones.  I've decided I prefer compromised vision rather than my head being squeezed and having my eyes filled with water!  Did the usual mile, felt pretty good.

Other than that, lots of pc/admin work today.  I have no idea how many emails I send in one day, but there are a LOT!  I've just finished my final hardCORE of the series too!  Feels very strange.

Just Cardio to go tomorrow before the 'juice feast' which, in fact, I won't be doing because I don't have a juicer.  I will go raw as much as possible though.  After Cardio, the last three days are all the gentle DVDs but I will be running and swimming in those days (although I won't push it).  I have no idea how I'll manage 108 Sun Salutations on Saturday!

Off to a client now :).

Day 102 - I think pensive is the word

Went for a little run this morning in the beautiful sunshine and then Strength after that.

I must admit, I wasn't feeling it today.  I had the energy but just felt that the repeated curling under of toes that's involved in all the poses aggravates the little plantar fascia issue I have at the moment.  I wasn't in the zone mentally, but felt pretty strong and my breath was calm throughout.

I can't decide if I'm looking forward to finishing the programme or not.  I'm starting to feel quite restricted by it but also wonder how I'll feel at the end when I suddenly no longer have a schedule!  I'm looking forward to doing some other yoga DVDs but will keep most of these in.

Yep, with more thought, I'm anticipating a sense of emptiness or something at the end.  Life is full of ups and downs but the yoga is a constant, something safe.  I think the change in the weather and the shorter days are a factor too - we've had such a lovely, bright summer and the darkness and cold always get to me.  I guess I could go straight into round two...hmmm...

I did some meditation in the evening.  Still need to work on this but it's ok :).