Yesterday was a day of rest, but I got back on the bandwagon this morning with an 8am power class. I normally wake up at 5:30am, but it is a Sunday, so I stumbled into class with watery puffy eyes and hair styled a-la-pillowcase.

I held it together through the first 45 minutes of class – controlled breath and movements. But in triangle pose, I reached my arm and gaze up to the sky and then felt my neck tweak out. 40 Day Challenge Goal #1 has been shattered.

The last time I strained my neck was in triangle pose too. It’s an old waterskiing whiplash injury that resurfaces without warning. And that’s what is frustrating me… I’ve heard that you should only go to your edge, not beyond it, and to maintain this balance by observing the depth/quality of your breath. But in a twist, when my breath is shallow to begin with, I can’t measure where I am with respect to my limits.

Apart from that tissue snag, the class was purifying. Lots of sweat and energy. Now to haul out the ice pack and take note of the pattern – I need to be careful in triangle pose.

I ran over to class today, still engaged in a long-haul conference call with work. I had managed to change into yoga gear and “confer” at the same time… but sadly I didn’t get a brush through my hair or teeth. My typical chaos.

After the call ended, I was buzzing with adrenalin – that kind that comes from the game of formulating your opinion into a logical argument for an extended period of time. Getting closer to the studio I noticed the no-nonsense sunshine and warm breeze, and my energy turned to giddiness.

I was worried I might have an eruptive laughing episode during pranayama… it will happen one of these days. But I gradually gained control of the energy the was bubbling over, and turned it inward.

By the end of class my energy melted my physical form into a warm wax blob. I find that when I get into this state, I lose my natural breathing rhythm in savasana. I’ll suddenly be snapped back to consciousness when my body gasps for much a needed breath. I’m not sure about that situation… if I should be happy that I’ve reached a state of deep relaxation? I just didn’t figure my body’s responses would check out along with my thoughts.

Anyhow… brilliant day. It can’t feel much better than this.

40 Day Yoga Challenge

At Ian’s suggestion, I’ve decided to write down my state before and after class experience, to note mini-transformations that can directly be related to yoga class.

Before Class

I’m purple with cold and obsessing about how tired I look. I’ve been sitting too long today (as usual) so my heart is beating low and steady. It’s sunny and beautiful and the day’s still go a lot to give!

After Class

I was doing amazingly well until I came home, tripped over the dishwasher and smashed by knee on the stoneware plates. The collateral damage: one chipped plate. My knee is still swelling.

That event aside, yoga practice was settling. I warmed up, exchanged a lot of air, unglued some tightly bound muscle fibers. My central focus today was on breathing. It was a good opportunity because it was a hatha class, where I couldn’t push myself physically beyond my limits. In savasana I didn’t get tracked away by any thoughts for too long… just one in particular about outlasting my genetic potential.

Time for dins.

I began the 40 day challenge with a power yoga practice. I’ve been exhausted lately from a battle of attrition with insomnia, which has left me hyper or lethargic, with causes unbeknownst to me. Yesterday was lethargy. I confirmed with my husband Ian after class that it was in fact an extraordinarily challenging class, so I feel good about simply getting through it. I think I’ll be mixing more hatha and less power into the next 40 days.

Yesterday my studio Newport Yoga initiated a 40 Day Yoga Challenge. The goal is to participate in 25 yoga classes in 40 days.

The theme of the challenge is “personal revolution” which I’m currently chin-deep in (it’s been quite the spring). The timing also coincides perfectly with three events: in 40 days I turn 32 years old, so this is a perfect ramp-up to that milestone. The day after my birthday I leave for yoga teacher training, so I can use the practice. Also, my husband Ian is away the whole month of June, so I’ll have lots of time to turn the focus inwards.

Apart from the discipline of sticking to a concentrated yoga schedule, a kind of Mid-Years Resolution, I’ve been contemplating my larger goals. What do I want to get out of this? I’ve practiced yoga regularly since last November, but haven’t consciously tracked my progress from one point in time to another. Instead I tend to retrospectively reflect on the months past and smile when I realize the positive changes are probably attributable, at least in part, to my practice.

So with a pro-active mind, here are the units on my measuring stick:

To mitigate injury for 40 days. I know this is yoga we’re talking about, but I have the tendency to push myself a bit beyond my natural limits. I can’t help it – I come from a classical ballet background where pain is a tool for progress. So if I can get through 40 days without aggravating an old injury, I will be satisfied. This will require listening to my breathe and body’s feedback instead of pushing through it to achieve perfect form.

To attend 1 class a week that I do not normally attend. I have the tendency to stick to what I know and enjoy, and hatha and power yoga are my favorites. My studio offers vinyasa, yin and meditation classes too – so I resolve to attend one of these each week!

To try to be aware during savasana. Okay I admit it, I let me mind run free during savasana… yep. I don’t just observe the thoughts come and go, I hop on for the ride, and let my conscious mind take me wherever the hell it wants to go. So my goal is to actively try to focus my awareness and resist the urge to let my unbridled thoughts carry me away.

To meditate twice a week. No explanations here, it’s just something I’m going to do. No set time limits. Just get down on my butt and whip out the mental squeegee.

To blog my progress. I won’t be writing every day, but I’m going to try to write about the notable thoughts and feelings that arise from the challenge.

No coffee. No sleeping pills. Ouch… that sounds sketchy but my rationale may be blogged at a later time.

I wonder if just getting through 40 days would have been enough? I guess I can’t fault myself for being ambitious. We’ll see how this goes.

40 Day Challenge Series

40 Day Yoga Challenge: Day 1
40 Day Yoga Challenge: Day 2
40 Day Yoga Challenge: Day 3
40 Day Yoga Challenge: Day 5
40 Day Yoga Challenge: Day 6