Discoveries, Flow on My Own

Well I decided to do a vinyasa flow on my own once again. I was actually gearing up to go to my 1st class at the studio around the corner from me (Imagine, A Yoga Studio), but I ended up not getting ready quick enough for the start of class. This flow wasn't too different from the previous one, though it was about 20 minutes shorter, I did a more traditional sun salutation series, and I didn't narrate the flow this time. Also added some deep lunges, bridge pose (always reminds me of kiddie gymnastics!), some jumping jacks, and some deep leg stretches combined with triangle pose variations.

Discoveries:

• I can do side-crow!! On both sides!! Not for a super long time, of course, but I used to be unable to do side-crow at all. I can definitely tell I'm getting stronger and my balance is improving. I think a lot of it is also a matter of your muscles adjusting to new contortions until it becomes "normal". I LOVE the feeling of conquering a pose I previously found impossible! Regular crow is practically cake for me at this point (not bragging, just happy!). Still need to keep working on that upper-body strength!

• Tried to listen to a 'genius' (iTunes mixing program) "Indie Rock" mix to work out to. It was okay. The lyrics were kind of distracting. I think I'm going to create a specific yoga playlist of music. Fitz & the Tantrums was perfect last time, but I don't want to listen the same music every time I practice on my own! Looking for music that is fairly upbeat but not distracting, lyrics you don't necessarily have to pay attention to, and NO 'traditional' yoga music. Suggestions welcome!

• Headstand was much less wobbly today. Still not where I was while in yoga classes in my last semester of Butler. I think the key may be in not applying TOO much pressure in my forearms, it creates a tendency to overcompensate and push my legs off balance. 

Now I just have to get my butt to one of these studios around here!! 

Vinyasa Flow On My Own!

First official yoga-post from CHICAGO! I'm living in the Rogers Park neighborhood, and its very cute, interesting, and diverse.

There is literally a studio down the block from me, how cool is that?? I've also got a LivingSocial deal for a studio downtown for some hot yoga classes, so expect some posts to come from both locations!

For today however, I decided to just flow on my own in my living room facing our beautiful bank of windows while listening to music from "Fitz and the Tantrums".

I want to find a set format for these posts so they're easy to search and find what you're looking for. Not there yet but hopefully something will evolve in the near future!

Overview:
I did a basic vinyasa flow to music, starting from child's pose into downward dog. D-Dog is homebase for my flow. I started slowly, doing some standing stretches and backbends as well as tree pose. I then worked through Warrior 1 & 2, 3-5 breaths for each, and then did a rapid flow 1 breath per move working up a good sweat, moving through the warriors into plank, chaturanga, and into D-dog. Basically a modified sun salutation. I threw in some basic sun salutations as well, as well as chair and thunderbolt poses. One thing I've realized is that I don't know the true name for several poses I do regularly. Such as modifications after I lunge with one arm up one arm down, over the head, stretching backwards, etc. I think side-angle & half-moon pose? I'll have to look it up. I also did some of my favorites such as plow, fish, and shoulder stand. I also worked on my headstand a little bit, which was a bit wobbly today. I finished by doing camel (on your knees, bending backwards and grabbing your ankles, heart center to the ceiling), which is such a wonderful and powerful release, a cycle of different types of crunches in counts of 8, followed by of course, corpse pose and cool down.

All in all, this flow was about 50 minutes long, which is about as long as I like it. 90 minutes sometimes feels like too much, but there is something to be said for pushing yourself beyond what's comfortable.

Sidenote:
I like to include some kind of basic core work in my flow such as intervals of different kinds of crunches or doing the pilates 100. Something all my yoga (and dance) teachers have stressed is a strong core, and I have to agree. While doing the yoga work certainly helps strengthen the core, I find it necessary to supplement in some way.

Right now, I'm feeling those creaky bones and unworked muscles burning after that work out. I think I pushed myself in a good direction. Something really different I tried was pretending I was teaching the class and seeing how it affected me and how confident I felt about it. It went pretty well! I definitely need to learn the correct names of the poses better, but I think I have a good 'teaching voice' and a calming but supportive presence. I wonder how much teachers plan their classes and how much is just a general outline or if they make it up on the spot? Something to find out. I feel good about continuing on the path of certification though!

Music:
I LOVE doing yoga to music! You have to make sure the music you choose isn't distracting, and it doesn't have to be tibetan monk singing or anything. Just something with enough energy to drive but not so much craziness to clash. Create your own mix if you want! The vibe from "Fitz and the Tantrums" was kind of perfect. It's funk and soul, with enough energy to really drive but not to distraction, and it flows together well just like the practice. I think music should always be in the studios too. Most do some kind of typical "yoga" music, tibetan monks or flutes or something, but popular music certainly works too. If you want to take out the "uber-hippie" element that drives some away, I think contemporary or at least not "traditional" music, is the way to go. I'm sure there are some very traditional yogis out there who might object to this....but I've never really been one to stick to tradition. Update tradition!

Trying to get back on the wagon with yoga, hopefully lots more posts to come! Keeping a regular practice really is important, and I'm not very good about it. Practicing regularly really is the only way to master your balance and go deeper into the poses, working towards those really challenging ones.

Hot Yoga (1st Class) @ Cityoga

Major discovery - I need a towel for my yoga mat!!!!

I've gotten away with not having one for a long time, and sure I'd slip a tiny bit but nothing crazy. Hot yoga is a whooooole other story. I was slipping and sliding everywhere. Luckily, I brought a small hand towel anticipating the heat, and did my best with that to help with my footing.

I've never taken hot yoga before, but it's very popular right now and I've been dying to try it (I'm always going on to my friends about how I want to do yoga that works up a sweat.) Well, I think I released my body weight in sweat after this class.

The class: About 7 people total. The room started at about 86 degrees, but by the end got up to about 90 degrees (I was close to the thermostat). We went at a fairly slow pace, doing only 1 or 2 sequences a little faster.  Vinyasa flow was incorporated and the poses were kept fairly basic. Even the most basic poses get a LOT harder when its HOT though! My hamstrings were still somewhat sore from the Core Vinyasa Flow class a couple days ago, so I wasn't 100%, but still. I'm not sure I've ever sweat that much in my life. Absolutely dripping. Downed my big bottle of water in a heartbeat. It was definitely worth all the sweat though! We wound down class in corpse pose, and used eye-bags scented with something (lavender?). I felt like I was literally melting into the floor, and the eyebag along with the scent really helped to open my senses and calm me.

The skinny: I felt absolutely FANTASTIC coming out of that class. I was soaked in sweat head to toe, but was so full of endorphins and zen-y goodness that I didn't care. And the class was challenging, but not impossible, which is a plus for me. I would definitely take this again- consider me a new fan of hot yoga! Also, if you are going to do hot yoga, a mat towel is a MUST.

Side note: A bath towel works just as well as one of those designer towels! It may not look as snazzy, but if you're on a budget like I am and don't care what your towel looks like, a bath or beach towel is just fine!