12 Day Yoga Challenge, Day 1-4

Yoga. Something I very much enjoy but also something I don't do nearly enough of. Whether it's out  of laziness or lack of time it has just become a rarity. After an adventurous two weeks on the road with a lot of city and nature, I felt a ton of great energy that I didn't want to forget about. It just so happens that my neighbor/good friend is an instructor at Know Yoga Know Peace in Bloomington. It's a very calming and relaxing studio downtown with wonderful energy. This is how my first four days went.

Day 1: Shanti-Hot
It is nice to see a familiar face leading the yoga class. I had taken Sujal's Shanti class once before and practiced these poses in the park with him a few times. That still hardly prepares you for the heat of this studio. Lauren and I forgot our towels at home and immediately regretted it. Everyone around you is dripping sweat, most are shaking from holding the poses so long. It felt wonderful, during and after. Because of a book I read on Buddhism during my trip, I have learned to have more focus and to be mindful of my breathing. I can see the concentration really made a difference.

Day 2: Warm Vinyasa
"Warm" as in the humidifiers weren't on but you could still feel the heat from the previous class. Vinyasa is a flow of poses that run together. This was a beginners class so it wasn't as difficult, however, still enjoyable. I was surprised when the instructor corrected my downward dog. Really? That is an elementary yoga pose and I'm not doing it correctly? Patience.. Andrea, patience. Getting a cold towel soaked in lavender water put over my eyes was a nice way to end the class. Breathe, breathe, breaaathe.

Day 3: Hot Yoga
The day of the Summer Solstice. Bikram yoga was a perfect fit with it's powerful poses and breathing exercises! I didn't know one could sweat so much. After hearing of my elder buddy, Violet, having a massive stroke today, I needed to sweat it out. I had a headache from crying but during the session it went away. I am starting to notice that I do really well with tougher poses but I sometimes find myself struggling with poses that seem simple. Maybe it's the crazy arch in my feet. I have started to appreciate when the instructor corrects my poses instead of feeling frustrated. This 12 day challenge is helping me find balance and inner peace. Constant work and responsibility over the last few years has really taken its toll on me. Before I move forward with my life and my career, I am going to be selfish and put this challenge first. I'm really glad that I am.

Day 4: Warm Vinyasa
Intention for the night: peace of mind. My favorite thing about the flow of vinyasa is that you always come back to a series of the same poses. You easily get a sense of how flexible you become just in a one hour class. I'm starting to become familiar with the practice which builds my confidence. Tonight it got cloudy which made the studio darker than usual. For the first time since I've been going, there was a small class which gave me more mirror space. I had the chance to improve the poses I've been doing for years. Overall I feel calmer and much more at peace. This is really going to change my life!

8 more days of yoga to look forward to!