Anne & Hot Yoga - Day 16

I don't, zzzzzzz, have much to write, zzzzzzz, today because as you can, zzzzzzz, see, I'm a little sleepy. I had a great 6:30 class, but I'm worn out. Had Christian, he did a combo story/rap/song thing. It was interesting. It felt cooler in class today too, might be because it's a lot cooler outside. My heater came on when I got home, welcome to fall. But we all know what that means (hint hint, the countdown day is 24 days).

Going to TRY and go to bed early and catch up, but the Twins are playing the Tigers in pretty much a do or die game. So I must watch. GO TWINS!!

Bow pose

IMG_3209
Originally uploaded by akeegangu

So here I am at home doing the standing bow pose. It's tough to tell but the first thing to note is that is my left foot coming up behind my head. My left hand is holding on to the inside of my left ankle. My right leg is completely straight on the ground and my left leg is kicking back and up as hard as possible. The right arm is usually out in front like that, just straight out not holding a camera. Here I only held it long enough to take the pic because I wasn't warmed up anymore but in class you hold this first for 1 minute on both sides and then for 30 seconds on both sides. And believe me, balancing on 1 leg for a minute with your other leg kicking back up over your head takes tremendous concentration and endurance. I know I look graceful and elegant, but it's not easy.

Anne & Hot Yoga - Day 15 (half way there!!!)

Here we are at the halfway point! As you might notice, I have changed the title of the hot yoga posts to Anne AND Hot Yoga. I didn't have quite as good a class today as I did yesterday, but I am now feeling like hot yoga is my friend, not my enemy so I will post accordingly. I've gotten to the point where I know it's going to be too hot, and I know the teacher will open the window or door sometimes, but probably not right when I need it, so I've just got to keep going. I'm getting quite good at standing bow pose, half moon pose, and the entire spine strengthening series (if anyone doesn't know what those are, Bill will be happy to explain.)

Today we had Tricia as a teacher who I always love. She's the director of the studio and always says, you're here to "find your cool" whatever that is. I love that way of looking at it. I'm never going to get into the spiritual meditation some people do, but finding my cool is always something I can try to do.

I have a picture to post (thanks for the idea Janice) and will explain on that post. But I'm over the hump, on the way back down!

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 14 (Week 2!!!)

Another milestone has been hit - 2 weeks!! Today for the first time, I felt a glimmer of being "in control" during the class. No feelings like I needed to rest, or was going to need to rest. Strong and almost happy during the whole class. JP's suggestion: off to instructor training. I do not think I'm ready for that, but tomorrow I'll be half way to a big accomplishment! I can't believe it's taken me 3 months of regularly attending class and 14 straight days to JUST barely get to this point.

had the singer, Christian, today and his song had something to do with us being leaves turning green to brown and falling off and giving new life in the spring. I'm not sure where he comes up with all these songs. He really is an excellent singer even if it's a bit cheesy. Then he gave some spiel at the end about us being the mystical creature the Phoenix. We burned ourselves during the class and now we're rising up strong and recreating ourselves from our ashes. I'm not sure about that, but if the Phoenix is a strong, limber and content bird once it's risen back up, then I'm on board.

I haven't heard from Bill (although his sweet wife and my Tia has been a staunch supporter - thank you thank you!!!) but I'm imagining he's still not regularly lifting his leg up over his head, hamstrings still nice and tight, B??

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 13

Good day today, Packers win (they BETTER have beat the Rams) and I felt strong and limber in yoga. I went at 6 after the games, it was pretty humid because it rained all day, but it went really well. I'm not sure if it's just because I slept a lot this weekend or what but it's starting to feel like these last few days, I'm working really well with it. Hopefully it keeps up. Almost half way there!

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 12

WOW! Good class today! There are a number of postures where you have to hold your hands over your head and they felt light as a feather today. Might have been the 15 hours of sleep/lazing around my apartment before class today, but, whatever it takes, I felt great. I made progress on a couple really hard postures today, the breakthroughs feel really great. Icing the hamstring right now, it's still bugging me. I'm not assuming it's going to heal until after this 30 days is over. So it's going to have to be maintenance and not making it worse, rather than hoping it heals. Can do. Football tomorrow, possibly class at 10, but I'm guessing 6. :) Happy Saturday everyone.

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 11

Day 11 down and feeling good! Hamstring still bugging me today but no big whoop. I was feeling a little lethargic this afternoon and thinking it'd be nice to have someone to go to class with. I asked my friend Michele who lives just down the street and had gone to class with me a bunch before. She said, no way, she needed more time to gear up mentally to go to a class than 2 hours. Fair enough. So away I went by myself. When I got there, my new friend Spencer was there (see day 3 for a recap on Spencer), which was awesome. He set up his mat right in front of me and then we chit chatted for a few after class. He's on day 20! Said he had a bad day today and a good day yesterday, which was really the opposite of me. Funny how the days fluctuate.

Off to meet Michele for dinner. She didn't need to gear up for that!! :)

Intensity

So I haven't gone to class yet today, don't worry I'm going at 6:30 but after Bill's earlier comment about this being "ONLY yoga" I thought a little perspective on this endeavor was in order. Now, I have always been a fairly good athlete. I played varsity softball in high school, I finished a triathlon, I used to like to run a lot, lift weights, spend many hours at the gym, etc. And while none of that is ever EASY, I can pretty much jump into any of those activities at any time and know that I'll be able to get through it, no matter what my condition is. Stairmaster with a hangover, no problem. Weight lifting on a full stomach, easy. My performance on every other athletic activity is predictable, and I'm not trying to sound boastful here, but rather trying to set up just how hard this class is. It's 90 minutes of unpredicatability and every time I walk into class, I have to be perfectly prepared, which means, well hydrated (but not overly hydrated), well rested, fed enough (which means eating a reasonable meal between 2-4 hours before class - can't have too much in my stomach to get nauseous, or too little to get weak). I have to have on the right clothes, make sure and use the bathroom, get a good spot in the room, make sure nothing is bothering me mentally so I can focus. And even if ALL of these things go perfectly as planned, sometimes it's STILL too hard to get all the way through the class. Some days, I feel like I could go twice, some days, I lay on my back for 50% of the class. Anyway, personally, I don't think any yoga is wussy, but this one takes it to a whole new level.

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 10

Well, all that separated days 9 and 10 was a little chit chat with yesterday's birthday girl, Hools (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!) and some sleep. Went to the 6:45 am class today, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was a little tired and probably not fully recovered from the class less than 12 hours before it but all in all it was a good one! Not crowded at all which is always nice.

Forgot to mention yesterday as I was running off to bed, I had the singer again yesterday! Christian. His song had something to do with these being the golden years. I kept thinking, these better not be my golden years!! I want a lot more before they are! Speaking of golden years, this morning, there was a guy in my class who couldn't have been ANY younger than his 70s. I would have guessed 80s if I saw him on the street. Boy did I feel pathetic when he was doing a posture if I was resting. :)

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 9

Day 9 down and I'm feeling pretty good. A little bit worn out, and this dang hamstring is nagggggging me! I talked to the teacher after class and he said all the usual stuff you might imagine for working out a lot. Rest a lot, eat well, drink a lot of water. Not rocket science here I guess, but I'll have to make sure I keep that up. Going to go to bed early tonight cause I'm going to go to class in the morning. I wouldn't want to be the lovely perky instructor who has me in class at 6:45 am. But we'll see, it might work out well.

I haven't heard from Bill in the last few days, I'm not guessing he's gone to class. :)

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 8

Well, I made it through day 8. Didn't have a very good class. It was particularly hot today, and my mind was occupied by a few other things, so that always makes class a lot harder. Anyway, I know these days are going to happen, onward and upward with day 9!

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 7 (WEEK 1!!)

Well, I made it through week 1! I had a really great class today. Had my favorite instructor, Tatyana, and she showed me how to modify a few things to make sure my hamstring isn't further irritated while I keep coming to class. Much appreciated. Tatyana also has the most unbelievable abs I've ever seen...something to aspire to.

So I know there are a few people out there reading who have done this class. Bill still isn't one of those people. Does everyone out there know that in addition to climbing a mountain, Bill has also run a marathon? Two of the most mentally and physically challenging things I can think of. Yet this piddly yoga class continues to be too much. Anywhooo, there is this one posture called Rabbit, where you're supposed to feel stretching in your lower back. Well, for the first time, I felt it today!

I felt strong and in control of the class today. I expect that feeling to just get better and better. Bring it on last 23 days! I'm ready for you.

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 6

Woohoo! Day 6 down! Felt great today. I had Chris as a teacher. I have only had him one other time and I distinctly remember it being one of the hottest days of the summer, I got a spot with poor ventilation and I had an awful class. Couldn't do 75% of the postures and just had to sit there and look at myself in the mirror to be able to stay in the room. Chris was incredibly encouraging after class. Came over to me and said that even veterans have had classes like that and that I should keep trying and not get discouraged. I was still trying to get into the groove of this class at that point and I think his encouragement was really a kick in the pants I needed! So I was really happy to be able to show him how much improvement I've made today!

As far as Bill is concerned, Janice put it best in the comments on the last post (you RULE for that comment, Janice!) What does he have to LOSE? It will certainly be challenging, but this is the man who has climbed one of the tallest mountain in the continental US (Mt. Rainier just outside Seattle that come in at 14,411 feet!), and you never know, it just might be enjoyable!

Anyway, time for football!! GOOO PACKERS!!!

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 5

Well day 5 down and I'm feeling great! Still have the sniffles, but the class helped again and I think another day or 2 and I'll be good as new. I like going to mid day classes because there isn't a full day's worth of food sloshing around in my stomach. I felt really good at class despite going through 500 kleenexes. Tomorrow is football Sunday, so I plan on going to the 10 am class. I don't think a day's worth of beer and football food would feel very good either and gotta be ready for the Pack at 1! One sixth of the way there. I can do this 5 more times...eek!!

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 4

Day 4 and all is well! I still feel pretty crappy today (lovely clogged and infected sinuses) but turns out the yoga class was the best thing for it. After the class, my nose was completely decongested and stayed that way for 2 hours! Starting to clog up again now but I think it was like sitting in a 90 minute steam room! Hopefully it helps tomorrow too.

So today, I'd like to discuss women in class who I like to refer to as "the swans." I use this name for them for a number of reasons. 1. there is so much sweat in the room, it's like we're in a pond, and 2. they are quite lovely looking, but they are also not pleasant (as are swans if you've ever encountered one in a pond). So here is what they do. Come about 15 minutes early. They are generally wearing just a sports bra and swimsuit bottoms. Sometimes shorts, but their stomachs are NEVER covered up, you have to be able to see how fabulous their abs are. Then they set up their mats right in the front of the room, where it is the hottest, and everyone can see them. For the next 15 minutes before class, they proceed to very obnoxiously and obviously do all sorts of random stretches and poses that have nothing to do with class to make sure that everyone knows before class starts that they are really flexible and awesome at yoga. Then class starts, the room starts to heat up even more and all the poor saps in the back who suck (I am in this group) are focused, trying really hard, staying in all the postures for their full time and only resting when absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, the swans have wasted all their energy before class showing off all their amazing moves and struggle to even stand up for most of the class. I don't CARE how flexible and graceful you are, we are here to get through the class. So sit down and focus before class like everyone else - no one is impressed that you've put your leg behind your head!

However, with the exception of the swans the class today was great. Four days in a row is the most I've ever gone before, so we are heading to uncharted territories tomorrow. Fingers crossed it keeps going well!

Bill vs. Hot Yoga

I know everyone has been eagerly anticipating the report from Bill about his hot yoga debut. Unfortunately, you'll all have to wait another day since he seems to have missed class again today. Although the Minneapolis studio does have a 4:30 and a 7:00 class still upcoming this afternoon so he just might surprise us.

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 3

So lots to report on day 3! Let's just get this right out of the way up front - Bill didn't go. Now on to my class. I have a lot of points to share today. So I felt really crappy all day. Didn't go to work. I woke up and felt like there was a porcupine in my throat. But of course, I committed to this challenge, so I had to go. Turns out the heat and humidity was good for the throat. Still feeling kind of crappy, but it feels more tennis ball sized now, so we're making progress!

Now one of the cool things about this class is that it's exactly the same every time. The only thing that changes is you and your ability to do it from day to day. Just for reference, these are the 26 postures you do every time. There are certain ones that are much harder than others that I have been working on even being able to do for some time. Today I had a breakthrough on one of them! Toe stand (the last one in the third row of all the pictures) has challenged both my strength and hip flexibility and today, I was able to do it all the way on both sides! Only a few of you have probably ever tried it (ahem, Bill, would you like to join this elite group??) but it's challenging!

So the teachers ask everyone for their names before class so they can give corrections, so you really get to know people's names who you see in class on a regular basis, whether you ever talk to them or not. Today, this guy Spencer who I have seen a lot, and who i overheard saying he was doing the challenge asked me about doing it too. He is on day 13, and feeling kind of drained by it, but feeling great. But I'm happy to have a new friend to get a boost from every day.

Finally, I have a question for my medical professionals in the crowd. Mean Jean, Tio Miguel, Michael, maybe Steve or MB could get the Kodeballs on board here! So a big thing that the teachers talk about is that all the sweating is releasing tons of "toxins". I'd really like to know if that's true, and what exactly these "toxins" are? Also, they say that some of postures are "massaging your internal organs." Like this one where you hug your legs is supposedly massaging your colon. And when you put your chin to your chest you are stimulating some gland in your neck. Again, is that possible and are there really benefits to that? I definitely love how I feel after the class, but I always wonder if there are true "medical benefits" or if it's just a good workout!

Phew, lots to report today. Enjoy the pics. Thanks for all the comments!!

Laundry!

Laundry!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu

Janice, I took this one just for you!

The studio

The studio
Originally uploaded by akeegangu

This is where it's all happening!

After class

After class
Originally uploaded by akeegangu

Looking slightly less energetic.

Before class

Before class
Originally uploaded by akeegangu

Looking pretty full of energy here!

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 2

Day 2 down and all is well! I went at 6:30 today and had a great class. Hamstring is still bothering me but no worse than yesterday. Now to the interesting stuff from class today. The teacher I had was one of them who is really into the meditation and "centering" and all that mumbo jumbo that I just can't buy into. I like it because it is a good workout. But anyway, there is this one part where you just lay on your back for 2 minutes and don't move (surprisingly this is not the easiest part of the whole thing for me!) So during this time, most teachers are quiet, or talk about not moving, etc. This guy started singing! Burst into song about his soul moving or something like that. It was a bit over the top. Then he was trying to promote the idea that having a positive attitude is the key to doing well (I completely buy into that philosophy by the way) by telling us about this Japanese scientist who took water molecules and froze them. But before he froze them, he told them they were beautiful, played them Mozart, showed them pretty pictures, etc. Those water molecules once frozen were beautiful, like snowflakes. Then he took another set of water molecules, told them they were ugly, played loud nasty music, and showed them disturbing images. Those molecules, once frozen were misshapen and ugly. This guy has a wikipedia page so it has to be true. Anyway, the moral of the story is, since we're made up mostly of water, we should send positive thoughts to our water molecules, and we'll look like snowflakes...er...wait...that's not exactly right, but you get the idea.
Day 1 of Bill's adventures with Hot Yoga start tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates on that too! Day 2 signing off.

Bill vs. Hot Yoga

So many, if not all of you, know or have met my Uncle Bill from Minneapolis. One of his favorite pastimes is giving his nieces and nephews a hard time. And as athletes and generally extremely competitive people this often includes some kind of bet about some sort of athletic activity. And the stakes have been the same for years: Beverage Slave. For those of you who have never had a beverage slave, the sole purpose of said beverage slave is to provide the winner of the bet with any and all beverages that they desire during the designated window of time.

An example of what life as a beverage slave might entail from Kate: "Anne, can I get a water?" **bring water** "No no, I meant filtered water" **Ugh. return to kitchen and bring filtered water** "Oh, this is Evian, I wanted Smart Water," etc.

Now of course, when I sent out the email about the 30 day challenge yesterday, his reply was along the lines of: it's not really hard unless you barf...you're weak...class is easy peasy, etc. So I say, OK big shot, if it's so easy, I challenge you to make it through 5 classes. He says deal. So the details are as follows. We are going to a Packers game on October 18 for Mean Jean's birthday (woohoo, Go Pack, happy birthday Jean!). I will be going to class every day between now and then for a total of 30 classes, 30 day challenge and all. So if Bill makes it to the minimum of 5 classes before that time, I will be his beverage slave during the Packers game. If he makes it to 10 classes, I will be his beverage slave for the whole weekend (we're there Friday-Monday). If he makes it to 30 classes, every day like me, I will be his beverage slave for LIFE.

The beverage slave stakes have never been so high! Let the games begin!

Anne vs. Hot Yoga - Day 1

I've decided to resurrect the blog for at least 30 days, because I am doing a pretty intense challenge that I want to share (and will be asking for encouragement about!!). So I have been taking this insane hot yoga class - it's actually called Bikram Yoga, but I like calling it hot yoga - it has a nice ring to it. LIke you could be talking about something other than the temperature of the room. "Anne you are HOT stuff doing that yoga!" Anyway, it's 26 postures in 105 degree heat and 40% humidity. It's 90 minutes long and very intense. Some days i love it, some days I hate it. The first day I went, back in May or so I thought it was torture. I remember saying that I think they could get more valuable information out of terrorism suspects by making them do hot yoga than waterboarding them, but then I went to a few more classes, got used to the heat, and it's been slow and steady positive progress every since. It seems like it's been good for me, and I've decided to do the challenge they have at the studio, to go to a class every day for 30 days.

That brings us to day 1 today. Went pretty well, no complaints. I have had a lingering hamstring pull that I think I aggravated a bit, but nothing a little stretching, and RICE (Lewis and Jean thank you for your vigilance in promoting the RICE program - they'll be happy to give anyone a full rundown of what it means if you don't already know) won't cure. However, the physical aspects of this aren't going to be nearly as hard as the mental so I anticipate no complaints on day 1. It's day 20 that's going to get tough! I will post every day, with updates on how I'm doing. I might even include a daily hot yoga picture, but I didn't take one today, so maybe we'll start that on day 2. AND who knows, maybe the blog will extend beyond 30 days again!