The 30-Day Yoga Challenge :: Days 5 and 6

I seriously think my lungs are sore from yoga breathing. When I decided to take on the 30-Day Yoga Challenge, I never considered this as a possible ailment. I’m also sitting and standing up taller. This new amazing posture makes me feel a little snooty so I occasionally find myself slumping over on purpose.

Here’s how I’ve been spending my free time lately.

Day 5: Yoga Basics

This was an 8 PM Tuesday night class and I was dragging. All of these days in a row of yoga were getting to me. Also, earlier in the day I had what I had been craving for over a week: delicious french fries.

Hello you yummy golden, waffle fries.

Sadly I think this is what caused my belly ache as I headed into my basics class. I made a note to avoid fried foods on yoga days (which is like… every day… so sad).

This was the first class that was relatively empty, and I think it’s because the usual teacher was out on vacation. I finally got to set up shop towards the back of the class, what I like to call “the judgement-free zone.”

I think I’m starting to get a hand on the basics because I actually found myself bored. I spent quite some time thinking about dinner.  Yes, my belly ache disappeared 20 minutes into practice again.

I also spent some time wondering where I could buy decent cheap yoga pants that aren’t see-through. You see, I’ve been using my running tights for practices. Guess what running tights do? The waist starts to roll down slowly until you have to pull your pants back up. Anyone have any suggestions?

Day 6: Rise & Shine Flow 1/2

Since I’m used to waking up and running before work, I was disappointed to find out that my studio only offers one class during the work week that I can take before work. Our studio’s website describes this class as such:

This early morning 75 minute session begins with gentle “wake up” stretches, builds to a sweaty level of vigor and ends with deep seated stretches. Modifications are provided.

If I would’ve written the description, it might read a little more like this:

This early morning 75 minute session will rock your pants off while sweating and crying out in pain, all before you’ve had a cup of coffee.

I looked forward to the challenge and headed into class. Remember how I mentioned classes have been packed since the start of the challenge? This one was the worst. Rather than our mats facing the front of the class, we all had to turn our mats to face the side of the class and scooch in nice and close to those around us. There was a lot of coordinating with your neighbors on positions. I found myself spending too much time focusing on not punching my neighbor in the face (which I’m sure my neighbors appreciated). That was when I wasn’t focused on trying to follow the flow of the moves. Or remember which leg was my right leg.

I also made a mental note to go buy a yoga towel. Yes, I sweat pretty.  And my hands and feet get slippery. My downward dogs would slowly turn into planks if I had to hold them too long.

The studio provided free coffee and bagels after the practice. This is good because coffee eases all pain.

I grabbed my coffee and bagel and jumped in my car to head home. But first, I did the oddest thing. I searched through my iPod for some John Mayer and started to blast it. Does Flow Yoga make you want to listen to John Mayer? Upon further thought, I think John Mayer was playing during practice. It might be that I was just so excited to listen to “normal” music and not “yoga” music that I had to have more. Regardless, me and John rode home together happy and sweaty.

Any tips on yoga pants and mat towels that won’t break my bank?

Tags: flow yoga, yoga, yoga basics, yoga challenge