Found My Blog - In the middle of a 60 Day Bikram Challenge

I started setting this blog up over a year ago . . . and then became a bit frozen in time . . . I have thawed out a bit . . . and decided to use these pages just to capture some of my thoughts . . .

This morning I finished class #27 of a 60 Day Bikram Challenge after a simple run . . . more tomorrow . . . I hope to capture my previous class notes on this blog starting from day 1 of the challenge . . . and maybe from even my first Bikram class . . . what a journey :)

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 27 - Fountainview

Ran before class - Joyce instructed the class at 10:00 a.m. - After the double yesterday doing a single Bikram was nice - just kept it easy and just focused on each posture.

Bikram 60 Day Challenge 25 and 26 - Daily Double

8 with Cathy and 10 with Beth . . . I had not planned on a double, but during the class Cathy made a comment about the last camel of the day unless for Moni who does 5-7 classes a day . . . she just says these things to get me thinking could I do 5-7 Bikrams in a day? . . . great, hmm thanks Cathy! She also said something about people that count their Bikram classes . . . great I've kept a log of all of mine, instructors, times, etc. Anyway after class I took a very cold shower and put on a fresh set of yoga clothes . . . I was either going to do another yoga class back in Kingwood or gee why not I just do a double here.

After the second class Beth ask if I wanted to do a 100 day challenge starting in April when she gets back . . . I told her I travel quite a bit and tough just keeping me here for 60 days for this challenge . . . oh wait I'll be gone before the 60 challenge is over . . . but not to worry I found a Bikram Studio in Scottsdale while I'm gone . . .

I chatted with two couples after class, one couple their first date was a Bikram date . . . hmm, I pictured the conversation something like this, ring, ring . . . the cell is answered . . . hey, Sara (not real name) this is Bill (again not real name) I was wondering if you wanted to go into a 105 degree room and do some heavy sweating with me tomorrow after work, lets say 6:30 or would 8:15 work better for you??? The other couple was their first day at Bikram Studio . . . they were in town for some off season training for the Buffalo Bills, he had some ACL knee surgery back in August . . .

Bikram 60 Day Challenge 23 & 24 - Glutes and hamstrings

After my 5 mile run I headed down the freeway to Bikram. My glutes and hamstrings continue to be very tight . . . don't know what that is all about. I tried another double . . . actually I did the double because another student challenged me to it . . . hmm, it is not suppose to be about a competition, but sometimes I cannot resist . . . both classes were with Ana instructing at the 10 & 12

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 22 - Tired

Well I made it to two consecutive 6 am classes but it was not going to happen this morning . . . I hit the 10 am with Ana . . . definately I am not as tight at the 10 o'clock than the 6 am I have been extremely tired this week . . . taking very long naps in the afternoons - what is that all about ? ? ? . . . I think I'm just emotionally drained . . . how does one celebrate the 1st anniversary of a parents death? . . . Once the calendar turned to February it seems like I was living last February all over again . . . very, very, emotionally and physically exhausting . . . the very deep sick feeling in the pit of my gut . . . I'm hoping all the sucky emotions have been released and the healing will begin . . . one can only hope. I guess after a parent being ill for 5.5 years and watching as the life is slowly taken from them just takes a toll . . . okay enough of that . . . looking to a very healing tomorrow . . .

On a very positive note . . . after the last Savansana . . . I tried a full back bend . . . I have not done this since my frozen shoulder issues started 2.5 years ago . . . and I did it . . . my shoulder is not stong enough . . . very, very, happy

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 21 - Sleepless in Houston

I've been up since before 3:30 . . . glad to have Butler home for a few weeks . . . but that restless leg thing . . . he sleeps right through . . . I on the other hand did not . . . well I was wide awake for the 6 a.m. Bikram class with Beth . . . I really like when Beth instructs, I also know she will push me to my limits . . . this week I find myself focusing on the head to knee postures . . . forward bending always challenging with tight hamstrings and glutes.

A Year Ago

A year ago my sister #2 sister called and asked if she wanted me to call when our Mother had died. At just after 4 a.m. on February 25 the call came . . . she said it was a rough night but she had died . . . I should have been there but I chose not to be . . . my 3 sisters were with her when she died . . . I was 2,000 miles away . . . my Dad also chose not to be there - he tried but it was too much . . . I loved my Mother very much and she loved me . . . she always said that Moni has her own way of doing things . . . a few hours later I went into Church to finish up some work before flying out that afternoon . . . I was surrounded by some members of my church family they hugged me, prayed with me, and gave me the strength to just get through . . .

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 19 and 20 - Daily Double

6 & 8 a.m. with Cathy instructing. Got out the door by 5:05 and made it down to Bikram in 36 minutes very cool . . . My glutes and hamstrings very tight . . . so thinking a double might be good . . . still tight, what is the deal anyway . . .

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 18 - Enchilada's

Class number 18 of the 60 Day Challenge, Mike instructing 8:00 a.m.

The Biggest Challenge is figuring where to insert the class to each and every day. I'm thinking seriously considering the early morning classes . . . How important is sleep anyway??? . . . if I could be out the door early in the morning the traffic is a breeze . . . I could be done with Bikram by 7:30 every morning during the week and not have to juggle the rest of my schedule around.

During the last half of Bikram today I could smell Enchiladas . . . I'm like what the heck . . . Enchiladas for breakfast . . . I had an enchilada for dinner last night . . . OMG the smell was coming out of my pores . . . I could smell it . . . I could taste it on my lips . . . NO MORE QUESTIONABLE FOOD until this 60 day challenge is complete.

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 17 - Fountainview - Sheri - 4:30

After the failed attempt at the 12:00 South Blvd - due to road construction on 59 - I headed to Fountainview for Bikram - Joani was there (first time I met her - great person) Sheri did a great job of instruction - very detailed - I am just amazed how well they remember names - enjoyed the corrections/suggestions she had for me and in such a positive manner.

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 16

Traffic was a breeze today . . . both the gal from Alief and I showed up at the same time for the 10:00 a.m. class . . . Ana instructing always good . . . but I think I am going to need a Beth fix one of these days . . . maybe I need to hit a 6 a.m. class . . . they don't seem to have a schedule posted like The Woodlands Bikram studio regarding instructors . . .

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 15 - Giggles

Okay, I'm back for a double today with Mike instructing at 4:30 . . . the 10:00 just didn't do it for me today . . . then I tried running and still didn't get my fix for lack of a better word. This Thursday was a totally different than last Thursday . . . last week over at Fountainview was the motional wreck of a week with tears that could not be controlled . . . clearly that was very cleansing because today . . . WAS A DIFFERENT STORY. I had the freaking giggles at 4:30 - all I could think of was FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS . . . but to no avail. I don't know if it were the two newbies I talked to before class . . . clearly the lady dragged her significant other to class with her (she had some sort of knee issues) or the young gal who fainted just a few postures into the class . . . Mike jumped off of his platform and tended to her while still leading the class (she was fine and did finish the class) . . . somehow Mike can get me laughing like my sister Kari . . . the uncontrollable were your sides just hurt . . . the final straw that broke the camels back . . . Mike said something to the gal with the bad knees . . . just do your best with your broke let . . . HER LEG WAS NOT BROKE IT WAS HER KNEE THAT HAD ISSUES . . . I don't know why but I just could not for the life of me gain my composure . . . clearly I was not going to win any best behaved student of the 4:30 class . . . maybe tomorrow . . .

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 14 - Not Intense

The class did not seem as intense today . . . which is probably good after the double yesterday. I think the instructors play a significant roll in how little or how much I work in the class . . . the temperature was a bit on the cooler side today . . . time for a run.

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 12 and 13 - Daily Double

10:00 and 12:00 - Bikram both with Ana - Curious how a back to back Bikram would go . . . definately the second class of the day I was warmed up and most postures I found easier . . . I drank the electrolyle drink between classes which was good.

After class in the locker room a couple of gals were talking about an experience they had at 24 hour fitness girls locker room . . . there was a he/she . . . he appeared to be a she from the waist up but definately a he from the waist down . . . I ask the gal so how do you handle a situation like that . . . well she said after the first time the he part caught her attentnion in the girls locker room . . . she just makes sure she looks up . . . I ask do you know whether he/she plans on changing the bottom half? she didn't know . . . Clearly, I guess I'm not as bashful I would have definately asked the he/she . . .

Bikram 60 Day Challenge 11 - Home

12:00 Bikram with Ana instructing. I started my day off with a nice 5 miles run with a friend. As I walked in the Bikram lobby it is getting to feel a bit like home . . . the faces are no longer faces of strangers but friends . . . there is not longer the simple courteous hi but more learning about the people around me . . . now if I just can remember some names! One gal is travelling from Alvin which is an hour drive for her . . . so my average 45 minute drive is does not seem so long.

Bikram 60 Day Challenge 9 and 10 - Daily Double

12:00 with Ana . . . I love the locker room conversation - today there were 3 runners in the locker room . . . we all started Bikram to help our running . . .

After making an airport run . . . I'm thinking another 20 minutes i could be back at Bikram so . . . I did a double . . . this class was 6:30 with Ana . . . very humid, very hot, and very crowded . . . I had a blast!

Bikram 60 Day Challenge 8

South Blvd. Taz instructing at 12:00

Church, Sunday School and down the freeway to Bikram

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 7 - Mindy from Austin

12:00 at South Blvd. New Instructor Mindy who came from a Bikram studio in Austin. Just finished a 6.5 mile Saturday run before heading down to Bikram. Mike was on my left appeared between postures to be taking notes . . . probably assessing our new instructor Mindy . . . She Did A Great Job!

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - 5 and 6 - Daily Double

Today at South Blvd. I did the Daily Double - 12:00 with Beth and 4:30 with Sheryl.

I was so curious if I could survive two Bikrams in one day . . . After the 12:00 class I stayed in the room and took a 20 minute power nap, showered and headed off for lunch and a bit of shopping. Then back for a seond round . . . in some ways the second class was easier to do then the first class . . .

The word in the locker room is they are planning on doing a renovation and enlarging the locker rooms . . . well at least the girls locker room . . . curious when the renovation takes place . . . does the locker room become co-ed while one is being renovated then the other becomes co-ed . . . maybe they will just haul in some port-a-cans and put them in the parking lot :)

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - #4 - Ambush with Cleansing

Tony Instruction - 4:30 class at Fountainview

Yep, one of those classes I read about . . . the emotions came out . . . I had the kleenex close by . . . I tried to stay focused . . . but my whole body was shaking . . . a couple of postures I just layed down in Savasana . . . that held off the tears a bit but not long enough . . . in silence the tears with sweat were streaming down my face as I held postures . . . As I finished the practice and lay in the final Savasana the tears were not as silent as before . . . the guy next to me swiftly rolled up his mat . . . I grabbed the well needed kleenex next to me . . . I gained my composure and off I went to wait my turn for the next shower . . . I was second in line . . . out came the nun from the shower and finished putting her habit on . . . it was then my turn in the shower . . . I washed more tears down the drain . . . got dressed . . . headed out to the front lobby . . . Tony and the front desk person were there . . . I mentioned great class to Tony . . . I did mention something about being glad I knew at some point emotions might be released in this class . . . they were wonderful and talked about emotional cleansing . . . I held the tears . . .

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - #3 - Just Breathe

February 11, 2009 South Blvd - Mike Instructing 4:30 . . .

We all breathe... until we don't anymore ... Breathing has been in my thoughts recently . . . how important it is just to sustain life . . . but on a deeper level . . . breathing out the disturbing past and breathing in the present . . . I choose to breathe.

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - #2 - 4:30

Ran, Quilt Bee, then off to 4:30 Bikram

Bikram 60 Day Challenge - Yikes #1

60 Bikram Classes in 60 Day Challenge . . . I just mentioned to Jack at the front desk I was thinking about the 60 Day Challenge . . . he said don't think just do it and he handed me my sheet and got me all set up . . .

Earlier that day I was over in Spring at an Ortho appt. then BodyFlow Class at noon, then 4:30 Bikram class.

1/15/2009 - 2/5/2009 - 23-31st class

Still looking for class notes from 1/15/2009 - 2/5/2009 - Bikram Classes 23-31