WOW! Just five more days until my 30 Day Challenge is over. Actually...it went by faster and smoother than I thought (so far). And here I am eating a few strawberries and pieces of TJ's 85% cacao dark chocolate for a little treat:)
I feel like I've really improved this week. I think after getting my period I started pushing myself harder since I started to notice changes in my body. It's funny how one week I'll improve a lot at a difficult posture, but also be not so great at a posture I'm normally pretty good at. I've found that this week I have not been looking forward to Standing Bow Pose, Triangle Pose, and of course...Locust Pose (with both arms/elbows under body).
For awhile, I was beginning to get really good at Standing Bow Pose. It seemed like my legs were getting stronger, my balance better, my upper body lower, and my kick higher. For some reason over the last week or so, I can't seem to keep my balance. Once I get into the posture I can do great. I've even learned to not get right into it until my standing leg is completely locked. (*I'm actually slowly improving on locking the knees and realizing my postures won't be their best until I do so). So I don't know what the deal is with my balance. I asked the instructor after class and she said just what I thought...that it may just be a weak spot for me and to remember I am still a beginner. Locking the knee is important, but she said our minds can mess with our balance and concentration. Maybe I am fretting it too much or expecting to be too perfect from the get-go. I just know I can do it because I've seen it, so that just gets frustrating.
Yogi in perfect Standing Bow Pose
The Triangle Pose is my other nemesis. I really don't look forward to it and it takes everything out of me, but when I get it right I feel like a beast:) It's all about strength, alignment, and endurance. When I put my mind and strength to it, I actually have a great Triangle Pose, but to me...it's the most strenuous pose. It looks easier than it really is.
Two yogis in Triangle Pose
Finally, Locust Pose. I seem to have no problem with lifting each individual leg up in Locust (which is part of the 26 postures), but I have a difficult time putting my mouth on the towel when it's time to do Locust Pose with both legs in the air and both elbows under my body. I do it every time. Like I've mentioned in past posts, I have never had to sit out or give up on a posture. Nor have I ever left the room. But...I dread putting my mouth on the towels and elbows under me for this one. I have really been trying to lift my legs higher though, especially this week. Hopefully if I keep pushing I can slowly get higher. I wonder if everyone else has a hard time with this one.
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Yogi in Locust Pose
*The top one is with one leg (which I have no problem doing. The bottom one is with both elbows tucked under the body, arms straight, mouth on the towel, knees locked, and both legs lifted. It may look easy, but I'm telling you...it's quite a task.
Like I've mentioned before, my caffeine and alcohol/beer/wine intake has been significantly lower. Not that I drank a lot of alcohol/beer/wine before, but I did have 2-3 cups of coffee a day. Since I started the 30 Day Challenge (25 days ago), I have only had 4 and a half cups of coffee. That's just a little over what I'd have in one day! And...still only half a beer (first week bowling with my husband's co-workers), a glass and a half of champagne (on my 29th birthday), and a half a glass of chardonnay with dinner last week! My husband and I used to have a glass of wine or two with dinner either every night or every other night! Couldn't feel better! I've been really using our new Vitamix blender, making after workout smoothies and breakfast smoothies. Can't wait to share one of my recipes:)
Check this one out:
Creamy Protein Grennie (smoothie)
1 cup of frozen organic mango
1 cup of frozen organic strawberries
1/2 large avocado
2 cups of raw organic spinach
1 tbsp. TJs soy vanilla yogurt
5 leaves of basil
1 drop of local/raw/organic honey
2 oz. TJs lowfat original soymilk
2 oz of filtered water
1 cup of ice
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