Day 18!

Well...

I've had a lack of computer access recently at home which has prevented me from updating my blog here. I won't recap every day for the last 10 days but I do have to say that I have really been learning so much as I travel through this challenge. I am not bored or sick of it yet as every class I enter has something to offer and every day I get a mini vacation from my life which I didn't realize how important that was till now. I am learning to live my practice off the mat and have found myself approaching life with a clearer head and being able to keep calm in stressful situations. My appreciation for everything and everyone in my life conintues to grow. I still have days of swearing when I stub my toe or complaining about the annoying driver is front of me who is going 40km in a 60km zone but, I will say that I am more aware of those times and realizing that it is okay to feel than let it go. Move on. I have found things that I like and don't like about studios, teachers and styles of practice. One of my close friends read this blog the other day and commented on how good she thought this was for me and how I seem more grounded and focused recently. Coming from a non-yogi or I'd almost say an anti-yogi.. ha.. this was quite the compliment!

Again I won't bore anyone with the minute details of my practice.. That is what my written journal is for. I will share abit about the last few days though.

On Saturday I went for a skate instead of yoga.. I showed up for the noon moksha class not really feeling up to it but forced myself. I arrived and the donald studio was a bit overwhelming. It was busy and the class was full. Than I started to venture over to the waverly studio but halfway there thought.. I really am not feeling up for this, maybe the full class was a sign... I also told myself that I wouldn't feel guilty missing a day. I would like to try my best to complete the 100 DAY yoga challenge and not 100 CLASS challenge but a break is always nice. The skate was great and with the weather so nice I felt like I made a good choice. There were alot of people out at the Forks but, skating on the river was very peaceful.

Sunday was the Ted Grand Posture workshop at Moksha. It was really good to get feedback on postures. The classes are often so large that as a student I don't get adjustments as much as I'd like so it was a good way to learn how the postures are broken down. Ted started by giving the three main elements to the Moksha practice: Breathe, Containment and Expression. Thinking of these things will help me work through my postures. He also spent alot of time focusing on the importance of broadening your shoulders and not pulling them back (which I'm sure I do). One of my favorite poses is eagle pose and I'm so glad we went through this one as well. I realized that I was often tucking my tailbone under instead of just extending my spine down. Ted also mentioned how important it is to come back to a beginner's mind which I remember Ryann stating in one of her classes and this idea has stuck with me. I think this is extremely important in all facets of life and not just yoga. If I did not start from the beginning when I make a mistake, start a new task, or just look at something old with fresh eyes how would I complete or change anything?

This morning I went to Blue Moon. Amanda's focus for her class was on prana (energy). We did our sun salutations and was very aware of where our energy was flowing and where it was not throughout the practice. I definitely find my lower back to need alot more energy than other parts of my body. It will get sore and my curvature does not help. I have to continue to work on building up the core to help alleviate some of the stress on it. At the end of the class we went through the chakras and bringing our energy from the practice through all of them. I spoke with Amanda at the end of the class and borrowed a book from her on Kudilini and Chakras which I am thrilled to start reading. Energy is so important and I want to learn more about how I can work with mine effectively. I felt really satisfied when I got home. I started to read some of the book that was lent to me. With this challenge everyday I learn something new and discover how much yoga can be utilized as an outlet to ones well being overall.