This week marked a set of firsts for me for this 30-day yoga challenge:
- It was the first time I missed a class because I was running on Puerto Rican time
- It was the first time I doubled up on classes during the work week
On Tuesday I had an appointment with my hair stylists, so it became my rest day. But then Wednesday became a second rest day. When I was driving to the studio, I realized I wasn’t going to make it on time. When I realized I forgot my mat too, and sighed heavily and turned my car around.
Later, I described my unexpected rest day at home to my friend as “a relaxing night riddled with guilt and stress.” Go figure. I get a night to stay home by myself and the entire time I was trying to figure out which day I was going to double up on yoga classes.
I aimed to double up on Saturday, but felt uneasy leaving two classes of the challenge to the last day of the month. Plus, I want to make a pit stop at my friends birthday ultra-run before my first class… a birthday party and two yoga classes all before lunch? Ew. Too much.
But then, yesterday happened.
Day 23: Hatha 1
It was a bit odd that I kept thinking to myself, “Aw, this is the last time I take this class.” I mean, it’s not the last time I take this class ever. It’s not even the last time I take the class within the challenge (Saturday I’ll close out the challenge with a Hatha class). It’s just the last time I take this class on a Thursday night within the challenge. Aw… so happy to see I’m sentimental about the whole experience. 🙂
My practice went well. I even didn’t cough during Shavasana. Yippee!
I felt so good afterwards that I made a last minute decision to stay in studio and take the following class.
Day 24: Yin/Yang Yoga
The studio’s website describes this practice as “a unique blend of vigor and deep, still, stretches.” The class is essentially a two-part practice: the first half is a vigorous vinyasa flow sequence, while the second half is torture a series of yin postures. You remember how much I liked my first yin yoga class, right?
It’s a good thing I was too distracted the first half of the class to be worrying about the second. By the time the yin yoga came I was actually thankful to be able to sit still! Granted, it was in a pose, but I took our teachers instruction and always made sure I felt good. I think the first time I took yin yoga, I was pushing myself a bit too much and that’s why the entire class was so torturous. This time around I was able to focus on my breathing and relax my body into the pose.
What a difference one month of yoga does, right? 😉
I’m off to work, then my second to last day of yoga. It’s a power flow class and a higher level than what I am, so I have to remember to take the modifications and not kill myself. Wish me luck!
Happy Friday!
I Sweat Pretty 
The yin/yang concept sounds awesome. I’ve never done one, but it might be fun to head over to FCY to try it out!
Yeah! It was very interesting!
Good luck with your challenge!
Thanks! I made it. 🙂