I woke up feeling loved, full of joy and refreshed.
Perhaps it's because I went to bed a little early last night (about 11 PM).
Or perhaps, it's because I only have one more Bikram Yoga session to go before I complete the challenge and I've been doing complete 26 poses the past 2 classes (!!! :)).
Or perhaps, it's because I'm flying to Hamilton Island on Sunday?
Or perhaps, it's because the book that I've been embarrassedly reading (will talk about this when I'm ready to reveal it :P I've had to hide the cover when reading on the train, but boy - this book is good and explains a lot!!).
Well, back to the feelings, I can't quite pinpoint on any of it, and I don't want to.
I chose to savour every second of the joy instead of working out why.
I had a quite a lot to go through and get done at work today.
I was even looking forward to that!
The past couple of years, my life has changed in so many ways.
I too have changed in many different ways.
2010 is turning out to be an amazing year and I hope it will continue being so.
Things are falling into places, and when they don't, it doesn't matter, because I know that I can deal with them if and when I want to.
It helps that I have clear understanding of what is important to me.
The other part of the equation is the realisation that I make the decision.
Yes, that's right.
No one else but me, can choose to pursue what is important, or not, to me.
The power is totally within me.
Making the choices to pursue things that are important to me, have totally changed my days.
Investing my heart and mind completely in them makes me feel very much at peace.
Of course, I have to tribute the regular Bikram Yoga practice.
About the challenge, I am already starting to miss the daily calming dosage that I've been taking and the cleansed balanced feeling that I have constantly been left with after the class.
Yes, there is no reason why I can't continue going often.
But, I know that it will not be the same.
Because there is no drive to force myself to go when I don't feel like it, which often turns out to be the best sessions!
All in all though, it has been a very rewarding experience and I am very glad that I completed it.
Have a lovely weekend, my peeps!
This post was inspired by Karen Cheng's Snippets of Life's writing on Living with Style and Spirit.
Showing posts with label bikram-yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bikram-yoga. Show all posts
60 Day Challenge, Bikram Yoga and More Challenges
I have exactly 10 more classes to do before I officially completed my 60 day challenge.
I probably could have done better and actually commit to the promise of doing full class every time - but that might mean that I won't get pass the first few days of the challenge.
So, for now, I'm plain happy that I am well into seeing the challenge through to the end.
So far...
I feel fitter, toned, and think clearer (or so I think).
I have learned corrections for quite a few of the poses (not sure what this indicates seeing that I have practised for over 2 years! Why am I still fixing my poses?)
I also noticed the different way the teachers teach and learned to just accept that.
I get annoyed and think I'm being judged constantly and I decided to let go of this.
I noticed that I prefer classes with just enough heat but not too hot that makes it impossible for me to push the poses.
I don't like pro-longed poses, but the teachers don't care about this do they?
The practice varies quite a lot, from one end of the extreme to another.
There are days where each pose is impossible right from the very beginning, and there are days where I go through them swimmingly (don't you just love those days!).
There are also days where it just feel good to be in the hot room, relaxing, stretching, meditating.
...
Anyhow - I have found that the 60 day challenge is a great way to try something properly and get yourself familiar with it.
It just works!
Because you are committing to do it 6 times a week for nearly 10 weeks... you somehow find a way to adapt to it, to cope with it, to get it done efficiently and effectively.
It's the best way of "making a habit" out of something.
Which is why when I'm done with the Bikram Yoga challenge, I'm planning to do a 60 day challenge with 6 home cooked meals a week (and I'm not talking about microwave cooking or instant noodle!).
Note: If you are thinking "It's not a challenge at all - I've been cooking 6 home cooked meals weekly!"; please know that the past year, I probably averaged at one home cooked meal a week - at the maximum!! :P
Hmmm - why cooking?
1. I LOVE my food. I do. Love them with PASSION! Ask anyone who knows me. Nothing gets me talking as animatedly as when I'm talking about food.
I eat out quite a lot (way more than I actually would like to!) and it bothers me, because when you eat out too often, you appreciate it less.
Plus, I've always wanted to be able to host "meal gatherings" (Not that I want to do it all the time - but I just want to have the option to serve my food proudly instead of apologetically when I do do it!)
2. I have plentiful print out recipes, cook books (awesome ones like Nigella Express, Bill Granger's Everyday, two of Jamie Oliver's - see a chatterbox's pensieve: Yay! Cookbooks Festive!)!
This will be a great opportunity to make use of them!
6 home cooked meals a week isn't that difficult now is it?
If I can spare over 15 hours a week on Bikram Yoga, surely I can put in similar effort into cooking for over 9 weeks!
3. Cooking skill is an investment!
4. I have less tendency to overeat when I'm making the food! :P
5. As an incentive to keep me going, at the end of it... I could use the saved up dining out money and splash it on a repeat affair with "Vue de Monde" (see a chatterbox's pensieve: Vue de Monde: The Love Affair) before they move location! Hmm... what a great idea!!! :) (Hopefully I'll get to try the Chocolate Cigar this time!)
'Nuff said for now - will talk more when I'm starting it.
On a totally not linked topic, I got a reminder from my "Past Self" to go do sky diving (see 43things: shelviaw that I created in 2006!) last week.
I must have been a psychic in my previous life - cause I am going sky diving! Next week! :P
Back to the challenge topic... I've been quite tempted to jump on the Project_365 bandwagon!
Seeing Techy Girl's Project 365 Photoset and pritoodi (Pretty)'s Photoset tickles my desire to have one of my own.
Plus, that might help publicize http://www.shelvialoveridge.com.
It would also work really well with the PSC course (seeing that I have to submit 10 images weekly!) and might be good to increase the photography business potential...
But hmm - I do have to be careful not to go overboard and spread myself too thin amongst too many different things all at once..
That's a recipe for failure!
So, we'll see!
Ciao for now. Yoga practise tomorrow!
I probably could have done better and actually commit to the promise of doing full class every time - but that might mean that I won't get pass the first few days of the challenge.
So, for now, I'm plain happy that I am well into seeing the challenge through to the end.
So far...
I feel fitter, toned, and think clearer (or so I think).
I have learned corrections for quite a few of the poses (not sure what this indicates seeing that I have practised for over 2 years! Why am I still fixing my poses?)
I also noticed the different way the teachers teach and learned to just accept that.
I get annoyed and think I'm being judged constantly and I decided to let go of this.
I noticed that I prefer classes with just enough heat but not too hot that makes it impossible for me to push the poses.
I don't like pro-longed poses, but the teachers don't care about this do they?
The practice varies quite a lot, from one end of the extreme to another.
There are days where each pose is impossible right from the very beginning, and there are days where I go through them swimmingly (don't you just love those days!).
There are also days where it just feel good to be in the hot room, relaxing, stretching, meditating.
...
Anyhow - I have found that the 60 day challenge is a great way to try something properly and get yourself familiar with it.
It just works!
Because you are committing to do it 6 times a week for nearly 10 weeks... you somehow find a way to adapt to it, to cope with it, to get it done efficiently and effectively.
It's the best way of "making a habit" out of something.
Which is why when I'm done with the Bikram Yoga challenge, I'm planning to do a 60 day challenge with 6 home cooked meals a week (and I'm not talking about microwave cooking or instant noodle!).
Note: If you are thinking "It's not a challenge at all - I've been cooking 6 home cooked meals weekly!"; please know that the past year, I probably averaged at one home cooked meal a week - at the maximum!! :P
Hmmm - why cooking?
1. I LOVE my food. I do. Love them with PASSION! Ask anyone who knows me. Nothing gets me talking as animatedly as when I'm talking about food.
I eat out quite a lot (way more than I actually would like to!) and it bothers me, because when you eat out too often, you appreciate it less.
Plus, I've always wanted to be able to host "meal gatherings" (Not that I want to do it all the time - but I just want to have the option to serve my food proudly instead of apologetically when I do do it!)
2. I have plentiful print out recipes, cook books (awesome ones like Nigella Express, Bill Granger's Everyday, two of Jamie Oliver's - see a chatterbox's pensieve: Yay! Cookbooks Festive!)!
This will be a great opportunity to make use of them!
6 home cooked meals a week isn't that difficult now is it?
If I can spare over 15 hours a week on Bikram Yoga, surely I can put in similar effort into cooking for over 9 weeks!
3. Cooking skill is an investment!
4. I have less tendency to overeat when I'm making the food! :P
5. As an incentive to keep me going, at the end of it... I could use the saved up dining out money and splash it on a repeat affair with "Vue de Monde" (see a chatterbox's pensieve: Vue de Monde: The Love Affair) before they move location! Hmm... what a great idea!!! :) (Hopefully I'll get to try the Chocolate Cigar this time!)
'Nuff said for now - will talk more when I'm starting it.
On a totally not linked topic, I got a reminder from my "Past Self" to go do sky diving (see 43things: shelviaw that I created in 2006!) last week.
I must have been a psychic in my previous life - cause I am going sky diving! Next week! :P
Back to the challenge topic... I've been quite tempted to jump on the Project_365 bandwagon!
Seeing Techy Girl's Project 365 Photoset and pritoodi (Pretty)'s Photoset tickles my desire to have one of my own.
Plus, that might help publicize http://www.shelvialoveridge.com.
It would also work really well with the PSC course (seeing that I have to submit 10 images weekly!) and might be good to increase the photography business potential...
But hmm - I do have to be careful not to go overboard and spread myself too thin amongst too many different things all at once..
That's a recipe for failure!
So, we'll see!
Ciao for now. Yoga practise tomorrow!
Project Status Report
Bikram Yoga challenge:
I'm in my 6th week and struggling a little to keep it up. But, Shanon's support kept me going (well, that and the worry that I might be too embarrassed to attend anymore classes if I fail this challenge).
Half way through tonight's double class, I'll have exactly 3 more weeks of 6 classes to attend (cause the challenge is for 8 weeks and 3 extra classes on the 9th week).
Completing the full two sets of 26 poses is still often a challenge on its own. There are days where it happens naturally and there are days where it's just not possible. But hey, I'm still progressing through the challenge. :)
Photography:
Sadly I'm feeling a little bit stale on this end. I feel that the photos I'm taking aren't coming up as exciting as it used to. It feels a bit like I've done this shot before. Then I try to be creative, try to look at things differently, but for some reason ended up with the similar shots.
I've been trying to overcome this with post processing and Lightroom presets.. but it's just not getting me anything special.
Thankfully - the PSC course will be starting next week! I have big hopes on that! :) Actually, WOW - it's next week!!!
Work:
Work is better actually - I'm starting to be at peace with it. Getting busy with the things that I do. Appreciate the extra time and flexibility that I get from this "new-ish" position that I'm in. I also appreciate the challenge of viewing things from design perspective, not from development perspective. So, it's good. Things are great.
Others:
Well, we have another Paragliding weekend at Bright coming up (hopefully the weather will cooperate). I'm semi looking forward to it. A bit scared (:P) cause I plan to fly solo this time. But definitely looking forward to another lovely weekend away with Shanon. :)
There is also Skydiving coming up (during the Chinese New Year / Valentine's Day weekend).
After that, I have Hamilton Island short break with the gals at the end of Feb and .... *insert drumroll* am visiting Taiwan with my lovely sister in August (super looking forward to this!!!).
Not much else is new.
I should be doing more house errands and cooking but I'm not.
TV episodes, Style Boutique (DS) and chick lits have been taking up all my free time..
Not exactly ideal, but it makes me happy. :P
Summary:
Life is good. :) Scratch that! Life is GREAT! :)
tee hee hee!
I'm in my 6th week and struggling a little to keep it up. But, Shanon's support kept me going (well, that and the worry that I might be too embarrassed to attend anymore classes if I fail this challenge).
Half way through tonight's double class, I'll have exactly 3 more weeks of 6 classes to attend (cause the challenge is for 8 weeks and 3 extra classes on the 9th week).
Completing the full two sets of 26 poses is still often a challenge on its own. There are days where it happens naturally and there are days where it's just not possible. But hey, I'm still progressing through the challenge. :)
Photography:
Sadly I'm feeling a little bit stale on this end. I feel that the photos I'm taking aren't coming up as exciting as it used to. It feels a bit like I've done this shot before. Then I try to be creative, try to look at things differently, but for some reason ended up with the similar shots.
I've been trying to overcome this with post processing and Lightroom presets.. but it's just not getting me anything special.
Thankfully - the PSC course will be starting next week! I have big hopes on that! :) Actually, WOW - it's next week!!!
Work:
Work is better actually - I'm starting to be at peace with it. Getting busy with the things that I do. Appreciate the extra time and flexibility that I get from this "new-ish" position that I'm in. I also appreciate the challenge of viewing things from design perspective, not from development perspective. So, it's good. Things are great.
Others:
Well, we have another Paragliding weekend at Bright coming up (hopefully the weather will cooperate). I'm semi looking forward to it. A bit scared (:P) cause I plan to fly solo this time. But definitely looking forward to another lovely weekend away with Shanon. :)
There is also Skydiving coming up (during the Chinese New Year / Valentine's Day weekend).
After that, I have Hamilton Island short break with the gals at the end of Feb and .... *insert drumroll* am visiting Taiwan with my lovely sister in August (super looking forward to this!!!).
Not much else is new.
I should be doing more house errands and cooking but I'm not.
TV episodes, Style Boutique (DS) and chick lits have been taking up all my free time..
Not exactly ideal, but it makes me happy. :P
Summary:
Life is good. :) Scratch that! Life is GREAT! :)
tee hee hee!
First Week of the 60 Days (8 Week) Bikram Yoga Challenge
The 60 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge is definitely called "challenge" for good reason!
Monday (21 Dec 09) - struggling with dribbly nose but made myself go and sign up for the challenge. Go Shelvia!
Tuesday (22 Dec 09) - nearly didn't go because of after work Xmas drinks (socializing is part of the job...) but I managed to pull out of that and went to Yoga instead.
Wednesday (23 Dec 09) - the weather was rather hot outside. I was annoyed at myself for signing up for the challenge as I was leaving work but Camilla (the instructor) regulated the heat extremely well, so I had a great class despite the bad thoughts. Yay!
Can't go on the Thursday (24 Dec 09) because they don't have 6 PM class.
The center is closed on Friday, Xmas Day (25 Dec 09)! Went to Botanical Garden instead. Had a blast taking photos and watching Charles (my youngest brother) & Louisa (Charles' girlfriend) learning to do cartwheels from Mr.!
Saturday (26 Dec 09) - luckily managed to muster up the will and determination to attend the 8 AM class. Reward myself by joining the Boxing Day crowd on a shopping trip along Chapel St and try on lots of outfits. Fun fun fun! Didn't end up going to 4 PM class though - I'll do the double on Sunday.
Sunday (27 Dec 09) - the end of the 1st week of the challenge! Attended 10 AM class, went to brunch and then had a short nap. I was super annoyed at myself at that time for not doing the double yesterday! Grrr. But the annoyance was saved by the thought of massage reward I promised myself for the 1st week. Second class was a bit painful but I did it anyway - missing a few poses. YAY!!! :)
I have to say I feel quite lucky because it's only been one hot day this week. The rest of the days have been nice. Hope this continues.
Also, I might have misunderstood the 60 Day Challenge too - I thought it is 60 classes challenge but it is 60 day challenge (with 6 day a week practice) i.e. 8 weeks, not original 10 weeks that I thought! Hmmm.. I'm yet to confirm this but will ask the instructor tomorrow.
The challenge has brought me face to face to the fact that I'm still having difficulties completing full class. That bothers me. I still skip poses (at least one each class with the regular being Standing Bow Pulling, Triangle, and Camel). I also rarely complete the 2 sets of Standing Head to Knee or Triangle or Standing Bow Pulling - always get myself out of it before time. I rarely push myself hard enough with Bow. I want to get rid of these bad habits. I'd love the bad thoughts that arises whenever we get to Spinal Strengthening Series to go away too. Ah.. and the burpiness that come with Half Moon Pose!
Anyways - one down, seven more to go. Wish me luck!
Update (28th Dec 09): The challenge is to be completed in 9 weeks, with week 9 require only 3 classes. :)
Monday (21 Dec 09) - struggling with dribbly nose but made myself go and sign up for the challenge. Go Shelvia!
Tuesday (22 Dec 09) - nearly didn't go because of after work Xmas drinks (socializing is part of the job...) but I managed to pull out of that and went to Yoga instead.
Wednesday (23 Dec 09) - the weather was rather hot outside. I was annoyed at myself for signing up for the challenge as I was leaving work but Camilla (the instructor) regulated the heat extremely well, so I had a great class despite the bad thoughts. Yay!
Can't go on the Thursday (24 Dec 09) because they don't have 6 PM class.
The center is closed on Friday, Xmas Day (25 Dec 09)! Went to Botanical Garden instead. Had a blast taking photos and watching Charles (my youngest brother) & Louisa (Charles' girlfriend) learning to do cartwheels from Mr.!
Saturday (26 Dec 09) - luckily managed to muster up the will and determination to attend the 8 AM class. Reward myself by joining the Boxing Day crowd on a shopping trip along Chapel St and try on lots of outfits. Fun fun fun! Didn't end up going to 4 PM class though - I'll do the double on Sunday.
Sunday (27 Dec 09) - the end of the 1st week of the challenge! Attended 10 AM class, went to brunch and then had a short nap. I was super annoyed at myself at that time for not doing the double yesterday! Grrr. But the annoyance was saved by the thought of massage reward I promised myself for the 1st week. Second class was a bit painful but I did it anyway - missing a few poses. YAY!!! :)
I have to say I feel quite lucky because it's only been one hot day this week. The rest of the days have been nice. Hope this continues.
Also, I might have misunderstood the 60 Day Challenge too - I thought it is 60 classes challenge but it is 60 day challenge (with 6 day a week practice) i.e. 8 weeks, not original 10 weeks that I thought! Hmmm.. I'm yet to confirm this but will ask the instructor tomorrow.
The challenge has brought me face to face to the fact that I'm still having difficulties completing full class. That bothers me. I still skip poses (at least one each class with the regular being Standing Bow Pulling, Triangle, and Camel). I also rarely complete the 2 sets of Standing Head to Knee or Triangle or Standing Bow Pulling - always get myself out of it before time. I rarely push myself hard enough with Bow. I want to get rid of these bad habits. I'd love the bad thoughts that arises whenever we get to Spinal Strengthening Series to go away too. Ah.. and the burpiness that come with Half Moon Pose!
Anyways - one down, seven more to go. Wish me luck!
Update (28th Dec 09): The challenge is to be completed in 9 weeks, with week 9 require only 3 classes. :)
Bikram Yoga - 60 Day Challenge
Back in October - (or maybe end of September) I was offered to participate in the Bishnu Ghosh Regional Yoga Asana Championships 2009 (photos here). I tried out the Bikram Yoga Advanced Class twice (because the competition involve personal choice of 2 advance Bikram Yoga poses) and soon realised that I was no where near ready for it - so I passed.
But it was not a wasted effort. It introduces me to another level which I can push to and it also put some sparkles back into my practice which has became a bit mundane over the year. After talking to a few people who either have competed or have done the 60 day challenge - I figure that I am no competition material. I would end up with a stage fright so bad that I can't probably stand on two feet - so balancing on one leg is definitely out of question.
The thing is - after doing it for 2 years - it has become a bit too much of a routine and I definitely could use a bit of "push" in the practice. Hence - the decision on 60 day challenge. I have told a few people that I might do it next year or soon-ish.. but the more I think about it and postpone it - the more difficult it seems. So - guess what? I'm going to stop talking or thinking about it. I'll just do it!
That's right. I'll commence the 60 day challenge on Monday, 21st Dec 09. Which means I'll get the first 2 weeks to work myself up (during the holiday time) and hopefully the rest of the challenge will fall into place. I do have a few small trips already planned (Sky diving at Nagambie, Paragliding at Bright and Hamilton Island trip with Lia and Jessy) during the period. But if I put aside my fear and reluctance in doing this challenge - I know it is still possible. I even plan it out in an XLS calendar! (I have to! I am the queen of diary and to do list after all... :P)
The main rule is that I have to do 6 daily classes in a week (with one day off) continuously until I completed the 60 days practice (details here). I can make it up by doing 2, or 3 or 4 classes any other day within the week if I miss some of the daily classes. My week will start on Monday and ends on Sunday (I figure that gives me weekend time for if I need to make up for any slack weekdays). Plotting it on the calendar - it means that my week will finish on the Sunday, 28th February 2010!
Awww... looking forward to the completion - and hihihi who knows - it might even get me Bikini ready for Hamilton Island! :)
I'm excitedly scared!!! One thing I know for sure - today's practice (my first class after 3 weeks off) left me feeling awesome - so I should use this to inspire the start of my 60 day challenge! :) Yihaaaaaaaaaaaa! Wish me luck!
I'll be tracking it through Joe's Goals - here's my badge (week average should be 6!)
But it was not a wasted effort. It introduces me to another level which I can push to and it also put some sparkles back into my practice which has became a bit mundane over the year. After talking to a few people who either have competed or have done the 60 day challenge - I figure that I am no competition material. I would end up with a stage fright so bad that I can't probably stand on two feet - so balancing on one leg is definitely out of question.
The thing is - after doing it for 2 years - it has become a bit too much of a routine and I definitely could use a bit of "push" in the practice. Hence - the decision on 60 day challenge. I have told a few people that I might do it next year or soon-ish.. but the more I think about it and postpone it - the more difficult it seems. So - guess what? I'm going to stop talking or thinking about it. I'll just do it!
That's right. I'll commence the 60 day challenge on Monday, 21st Dec 09. Which means I'll get the first 2 weeks to work myself up (during the holiday time) and hopefully the rest of the challenge will fall into place. I do have a few small trips already planned (Sky diving at Nagambie, Paragliding at Bright and Hamilton Island trip with Lia and Jessy) during the period. But if I put aside my fear and reluctance in doing this challenge - I know it is still possible. I even plan it out in an XLS calendar! (I have to! I am the queen of diary and to do list after all... :P)
The main rule is that I have to do 6 daily classes in a week (with one day off) continuously until I completed the 60 days practice (details here). I can make it up by doing 2, or 3 or 4 classes any other day within the week if I miss some of the daily classes. My week will start on Monday and ends on Sunday (I figure that gives me weekend time for if I need to make up for any slack weekdays). Plotting it on the calendar - it means that my week will finish on the Sunday, 28th February 2010!
Awww... looking forward to the completion - and hihihi who knows - it might even get me Bikini ready for Hamilton Island! :)
I'm excitedly scared!!! One thing I know for sure - today's practice (my first class after 3 weeks off) left me feeling awesome - so I should use this to inspire the start of my 60 day challenge! :) Yihaaaaaaaaaaaa! Wish me luck!
I'll be tracking it through Joe's Goals - here's my badge (week average should be 6!)
Past & Present: Bikram Yoga
I've been meaning to write a post for a few days but keep getting distracted by other things.
The good news? I'm progressing pretty well towards the minimalism goal.
I've been working hard on letting go of those things (thanks Ebay and OZtion) that I've carried around even though it is no longer needed, no longer utilised, no longer me.
Which reminds me to something else which is no longer me.
Recently, I let go of my old blog, a chatterbox's pensieve.
One day, suddenly, when I was previewing my post, the blog just didn't reflect who I am today.
I wasn't sure how to adjust the blog to suit me.
So I decided to move on.
It was much simpler to close that chapter and open a new one.
It feels much better too - to start with a clean slate.
It reminds me very much of the fresh feel a newly formatted computer - no clutter, clear, simple, minimalist.
Now - on to something else that is part of my weekly routine - Bikram Yoga.
I've been doing the beginner's class (26 postures - 90min session) for nearly 2 years now - as my main (... and only) exercise routine.
There are ups and downs like every other thing in life.
There are days where it is so easy to get myself strolling towards the studio in Prahran (where I usually practice) - and there are days where I keep postponing the session till something (or someone) forced me to go.
One thing that I can't deny though - it has changed me, and my perspective of things/life.
It has also calmed me down a lot - though I still need more work on patience and determination.
Last Thursday, the Yoga instructor for that session, Lisa, suggested that I (with a few others) enter the Bikram Yoga competition in November.
I was reluctant cause I don't like performing (or so I think) and my competitive gene isn't made for physical activities.
But then - Lisa mentioned that in order to do that, I should attend the Saturday morning advanced class in Fitzroy studio. Intriguing!
The advanced class has always been a mystery to me (generally only attended by the instructors or instructors-to-be).
My curiosity got the better of me and I agreed to attend the session - which left me all jittery and nervous on Friday night and Saturday morning!!
The advanced class was in some ways different to what I expected; yet still fit my expectation.
Difference?
It was fast paced (which was a bit of a shock considering the beginner class is slow and soothing) and very challenging.
The experience was quite overwhelming.
I was lucky to get a class with a mixture of flexible, strong, determined, and starting out people.
One of the girl was absolutely mesmerizing with her graceful poses.
Fit to my expectation?
I did expect the VERY challenging part (well - even the beginner class is still often challenging for me).
The poses - I can see why it would be in the advanced class.
Overall - I had fun and I'll do my best to go back next Saturday - armed with another banana to eat right after the advanced class.
(The beginner's class is 90 minutes, we get 15 mins break in between, and then the advanced class was a bit over 120 minutes. I can't eat in between them because I really don't need food sitting heavily in my belly when I'm doing Bikram Yoga as an additional challenge. There was none left of the breakfast that I had at 7:50AM by the end of the advanced class!!)
Anyway - what have you been up to?
The good news? I'm progressing pretty well towards the minimalism goal.
I've been working hard on letting go of those things (thanks Ebay and OZtion) that I've carried around even though it is no longer needed, no longer utilised, no longer me.
Which reminds me to something else which is no longer me.
Recently, I let go of my old blog, a chatterbox's pensieve.
One day, suddenly, when I was previewing my post, the blog just didn't reflect who I am today.
I wasn't sure how to adjust the blog to suit me.
So I decided to move on.
It was much simpler to close that chapter and open a new one.
It feels much better too - to start with a clean slate.
It reminds me very much of the fresh feel a newly formatted computer - no clutter, clear, simple, minimalist.
Now - on to something else that is part of my weekly routine - Bikram Yoga.
I've been doing the beginner's class (26 postures - 90min session) for nearly 2 years now - as my main (... and only) exercise routine.
There are ups and downs like every other thing in life.
There are days where it is so easy to get myself strolling towards the studio in Prahran (where I usually practice) - and there are days where I keep postponing the session till something (or someone) forced me to go.
One thing that I can't deny though - it has changed me, and my perspective of things/life.
It has also calmed me down a lot - though I still need more work on patience and determination.
Last Thursday, the Yoga instructor for that session, Lisa, suggested that I (with a few others) enter the Bikram Yoga competition in November.
I was reluctant cause I don't like performing (or so I think) and my competitive gene isn't made for physical activities.
But then - Lisa mentioned that in order to do that, I should attend the Saturday morning advanced class in Fitzroy studio. Intriguing!
The advanced class has always been a mystery to me (generally only attended by the instructors or instructors-to-be).
My curiosity got the better of me and I agreed to attend the session - which left me all jittery and nervous on Friday night and Saturday morning!!
The advanced class was in some ways different to what I expected; yet still fit my expectation.
Difference?
It was fast paced (which was a bit of a shock considering the beginner class is slow and soothing) and very challenging.
The experience was quite overwhelming.
I was lucky to get a class with a mixture of flexible, strong, determined, and starting out people.
One of the girl was absolutely mesmerizing with her graceful poses.
Fit to my expectation?
I did expect the VERY challenging part (well - even the beginner class is still often challenging for me).
The poses - I can see why it would be in the advanced class.
Overall - I had fun and I'll do my best to go back next Saturday - armed with another banana to eat right after the advanced class.
(The beginner's class is 90 minutes, we get 15 mins break in between, and then the advanced class was a bit over 120 minutes. I can't eat in between them because I really don't need food sitting heavily in my belly when I'm doing Bikram Yoga as an additional challenge. There was none left of the breakfast that I had at 7:50AM by the end of the advanced class!!)
Anyway - what have you been up to?
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