Day 11: Namaste

Time for more yoga! I had an early day off work again, which works out nicely since this workout is longer than all the others. As soon as I get home, I get changed and get started. I notice I'm doing a little better with some of the postures and vinyasas than I was last week! Like, chataranga (staff pose), for example, which is basically a low plank posture. It's kind of like when you go down in a push up, but you hold your arms and elbows close to your body instead of further out like when you do regular push ups. You hover just a few inches from the ground. It's hard! I used to be able to do it, but kinda lost it after a couple years of not practicing. I would have to drop to my knees last week, but suddenly today, I "remembered" how to do it! It was still really hard, and I wasn't able to do a full one every time, but it's more than what I could do last week, so I'm pretty excited about it. Half moon and warrior 3 still make me crazy (See day 4). They weren't really my strongest postures back in the day, but I don't remember them being this hard either! I can sort of balance in warrior 3 as long as I hold my arms behind me, but half moon is nearly impossible! I tell you what though, if I keep at it, I'm going to end up with an amazing butt (I better anyway)! Holding myself up with just one leg like that makes my glutes burn like no other!

Plough and shoulder stand was kind of interesting today. I noticed my middle back was starting to hurt while I was holding my legs and hips up over my head... I'm going to try and find some pictures that I can attach, it'll be a lot easier than trying to explain what all these postures are! I digress... Anyway, I think I might be letting my back and neck collapse down too much. So, next time I'll need to focus on keeping my abs tight so my torso can stay straight and my spine is supported. I may need to not stay in this posture for as long too, maybe ease myself into it a little more so I don't hurt myself...

Yoga belly 7 seemed to go a little better today too! I worked my abs well, and I was able to hold most of the postures for a lot longer. I think a lot of that was me not going "Abs? I don't wanna do my abs! I'm sore from yesterday! I can't do them!" And having more of a "Okay, let's bring it and see what we can do" Mindset... It's amazing how your thoughts and mindset can affect what you do! ... Lesson for the day!

My favorite part, the cool down! Aaaah, some nice spinal twists, happy baby, and of course, corpse pose... I could have fallen asleep right there! After some deep breathing and some Oms, I'm all done, and I feel great!

Namaste, everyone!

Just so you know what these postures that I'm talking about look like. This is warrior 3... No, that isn't me doing it.

Half moon. I double suck at this one.

This is shoulder stand.

Here's plough... the pig is awesome and you know it!