OK let's try that again...

Sunday 9/5/10
Bikram Kearny Mesa
4:30 pm w/ MArk

Monday 9/6/10
Home Practice - Baron Baptiste
"Core Power" (30 min)

Well - I didn't actually get back into the daily yoga until now. Yesterday I went and signed up for the monthly auto-debit special at Bikram Kearny Mesa. It's just $111 per month for unlimited yoga - which I think is a smoking deal.

I planned my meals just right for the day. I took 2 Yoga Body and 2 Yoga Fuel capsules 30 minutes before the class. And I drank a ton of water all throughout the day. Then during class I tried my best to take it easy - didn't sit out any postures - but didn't stay in most of them the full time either. I felt pretty nauseous all through class. But today I feel pretty good. I am a little sore - but it's a good sore that means I am getting back into the business.

Tomorrow I think that I am going to go check out Sol Yoga in La Jolla with my sister. She bought me a package of 5 and I just never got around to using them. My goal is to do Bikram in the studio 3-4 days per week and then mix it up with other styles of yoga on the inbetween days. That seems to work the best for my body.

I am going to try to complete a full year of daily yoga. 365 days without skipping a single day. There's really no excuse because I have 2 separate 30 minute videos that I can do in a pinch. 30 minutes is nothing to set aside even on my busiest days.

Long term I am really hoping to be able to go through Teacher Training in Fall 2011. I am keeping my fingers crossed that 1) Bikram will keep the training here in San Diego for the next 3 classes and 2) my financing source (contract work at my previous job in Hawaii) will come through for Jan 2011. And of course 3) that I can loose 50-60 more pounds and get into THE best shape of my life over the course of the next year.

So that's it. September 5, 2010 through September 4, 2011. My one year commitment to transform my life with yoga. I am UNSTOPPABLE this time.

Day #98

Home Practice - Rainbeau Mars (37 min) #184
Tuesday 9/1/09

Home Practice - Bikram #185
Wednesday 9/2/09

Home Practice - Baptiste (70 min) #186
Thursday 9/3/09

Home Practice - Shiva Rea(73 min) #187
Friday 9/4/09

Home Practice - Seane Corn (40 min) #188
Saturday 9/5/09

Home Practice - Shiva Rea (42 min) #189
Sunday 9/6/09

Day #92

Home Practice - Bikram #177
Tuesday 8/25/09

Home Practice - Shiva Rea (42 min) #178
Wednesday 8/26/09

Home Practice - Bikram #179
Thursday 8/27/09

Home Practice - Seane Corn (60 min) #160
Friday 8/28/09

Home Practice - Chakra Balancing (55 min) #181
Saturday 8/29/09

Home Practice - Bikram #182
Sunday 8/30/09

Bikram Kaimuki - class #183
8:15 pm w/ Kevo
Monday 8/31/09


Monthly Stats for August:

Bikram - 9x (810 minutes)
Baron Baptiste - 6x (325 minutes)
Shiva Rea - 5x (315 minutes)
Seane Corn - 5x (290 minutes)
Chakra Balancing - 4x (220 minutes)
Jivamukti - 2x (113 minutes)

31 daily yoga practices

TOTAL: 2073 minutes of yoga
Average of 67 minutes a day!!!


That's down a bit from the last 2 months. But I plan to get my average back up to over 70 minutes per day in September with more regular Bikram practices - at least 12 for the month.

Day #85

Home Practice - Shiva Rea (73 min) #173
Friday 8/21/09

Home Practice - Seane Corn (40 min) #174
Saturday 8/22/09

Home Practice - Baptiste (60 min) #175
Sunday 8/23/09

Home Practice - Chakra Yoga (55 min) #176
Monday 8/24/09

Started back to school today. I am taking the second semester of Anatomy & Physiology, both the lecture and lab together this time around. It's going to be a challenge, but I am determined to keep on top of it and get even better grades than I did in the previous semester. I really want an A in the lecture and a B in the lab, although I'd still be pretty happy with 2 B's.

I am really enjoying another new DVD I got a couple weeks ago - Chakra Balancing Yoga w/ Sharon Gannon. It's not as rigorous a workout as the other Jivamukti videos, but I feel pretty amazing after. Like my whole body is buzzing from the inside out. I highly recommend it for anyone who'd like to get in tune with their energy centers and work through any karmic issues they might have.

Day #81

Home Practice - Chakra Balancing (55 min) #169
Monday 8/17/09

Bikram Kaimuki - class #170
Tuesday 8/18/09
8:15pm w/ Kevo

Home Practice - Baptiste (70 min) #171
Wednesday 8/19/09

Home Practice - Chakra Balancing (55 min) #172
Thursday 9/20/09

Day #77

Home Practice - Jivamukti (60 min) #165
Thursday 8/13/09

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #166
Friday 8/14/09

Home Practice - Seane Corn (40 min) #167
Saturday 8/15/09

Home Practice - Shiva Rea (73 min) #168
Sunday 8/16/09

Had a huge event this weekend that my company's been gearing up for over the last several months. I am so relieved that it is OVER.

Several good home practices, regardless how tired and crabby I've been in the evenings. Yoga is my constant. And no matter how bad I may feel - physically, emotionally, etc... - my daily yoga helps to release the day and make everything a little bit better.

Tomorrow night it's back to the studio for me. I need to sweat out all the built up stress along with all the junk food I had over my long working weekend.

Day #73

Home Practice - Seane Corn (40 min) #159
Friday 8/7/09

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #160
Saturday 8/8/09

Home Practice - Shiva Rea (85 min) #161
Sunday 8/9/09

Bikram Kaimuki - class #162
Monday 8/10/09
8:15 pm w/ Gail

Bikram Kaimuki - class #163
Tuesday 8/11/09
8:15 pm w/ Kevo

Home Practice - Shiva Rea (42 min) #164
Wednesday 8/12/09

Day #67

Home Practice - Baptiste (60 min) #156
Tuesday

Home Practice - Sean Corne (85 min) #157
Wednesday

Home practice - Bikram #158
Thursday

Day #64

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #153
Saturday

Home Practice - Jivamukti (53 min) #154
Sunday

Home Practice - Bikram #155
Monday

Day #61

Home Practice - Jivamukti (60 min) #149
Tuesday

Bikram Kaimuki - class #150
Wednesday 8:15 pm w/ Jeremy

Bikram Kaimuki - class #151
Thursday 8:15 pm w/ Jeremy

Bikram Kaimuki - class #152
Friday 6:30 pm w/ Barbara

I've had several good studio practices in a row. But I especially enjoyed Barbara's class. She taught the first Bikram class I ever took way back on March 1st, 2007. I loved it from the very start. Even tough it took me more than a year and a half to develop a regular practice that lasted more than a month or two.

She is a bit older than most of the teachers, maybe in her 50's (or 60's even?), really hard to tell for sure. She has a wonderfully calm, wise energy about her. I remember thinking on that first fateful day that I would love to be in that great of shape when I'm her age. Hell, I'd love to be in that great of shape NOW. And I am well on my way to making that a reality. ;))

I am pretty blown away that it's already the end of July. And since another month is finished I have more exciting stats to report:

31 total yoga practice sessions:
9 Bikram - 4x home, 5x studio (90 min each)
9 Baptiste - 4x 45 min, 2x 60 min, 2x 70 min, 1x 85 min
9 Jivamukti - 4x 60 min, 5x 53 min
2 Shiva Rea (85 min each)
2 Sean Corne (85 min each)

That's 2180 total minutes of yoga this month!!

Which is an average of 70 minutes of yoga per day!!!

I am now over 60% of the way to 101 consecutive practice days!!!!

Day #56

Home Practice - Sean Corne (85 min) #143
Wednesday 7/22

Bikram Kaimuki - class #144
8:15 pm w/ Gail
Thursday 7/23

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #145
Friday 7/24

Home Practice - Jivamukti (60 min) #146
Saturday 7/25

Home Practice - Shiva Rea (85 min) #147
Sunday 7/26

So not too many studio practices over the last several weeks. Moving forward I really need to do 3 every week. Home practice has been great but I need to make it in for a hot sweaty studio class much more regulary to completely flush everything and get out of my head.

I feel a little bit more comfortable with the Shiva Rea routine. It's still very unorthodox but good variety for my body and mind.

The teacher who I think I like best so far, though, is Sean Corne. She is just delightful. A slightly different take on the Jivamukti style of Sharon Gannon and David Life. She really spends a lot of time on the foundational stuff that I need the most right now.

I have ordered another Sean Corne and another Shiva Rea dvd and am very excited to those into my rotation when they get here.

My weekly goal is 3 Bikram studio days and then one home workout each: Sean Corne, Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, and Jivamukti. I am getting stronger, leaner, and more supple every single day. ;))

Day #51

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #135
Tuesday 7/14

Home Practice - Jivamukti (60 min) #136
Wednesday 7/15

Home Practice - Bikram #137
Thursday 7/16

Home Practice - Baptiste (70 min) #138
Friday 7/17

Home Practice - Jivamukti (53 min) #139
Saturday 7/18

Home Practice - Baptiste (60 min) #140
Sunday 7/19

Home Practice - Jivamukti (60 min) #141
Monday 7/20

Home Practice - Bikram #142
Tuesday 7/21

Day #42

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #130
Thursday

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #131
Friday

Home Practice - Jivamukti (53 min) #132
Saturday

Home Practice - Bikram #133
Sunday

Home Practice - Shiva Rea (85 min) #134
Monday

Haven't missed a day even though I have not made it to the studio in almost 2 weeks. Tomorrow I plan to go to Jeremy's class in Kaimuki.

Tonight I got my first actual taste of what a Shiva Rea class is like. Her style is very different than what I am used to, but the workout will certainly add variety to my practice. I can see how the free form can be very liberating but I also see how some more traditional yogi's would think it's just weird. Personally, I need to do the routine a few times to get the moves down so that I feel a little more comfortable with the flow of the practice.

I have to get up extra early and make it to a 7 AM meeting tomorrow morning. So I am going to sign off. Goodnight & Namaste.

Day #38

Home Practice - Jivamukti (60 min) #127
Monday

Home Practice - Baptiste (70 min) #128
Tuesday

Home Practice - Jivamukti (53 min) #129
Wednesday

So I haven't made it to the studio yet this week. I have 2 rooms vacating at my house so I've been interviewing potential roommates in the evenings. Several good candidates so far, each with their own pros and cons. Hopefully we will be able to make a decision by the end of the weekend. I pray that my intuition will guide me to select the right people to mesh with our household.

Day #35

Home Practice - Jivamukti (53 min) #124
Friday

Home Practice - Baptiste (60 min) #125
Saturday

Home Practice - Bikram #126
Sunday

Well I didn't make it to Manny's class but I did the Bikram audio cd at home. Overall decent practice.

Yesterday I watched the discussion w/ David Life, Sharon Gannon, and Michael Franti that came with the "Power to the Peaceful Yoga" DVD. The Jivamukti practice is sort of like a blend between the Baptiste and Bikram styles in that it flows but then holds static poses. It is still pretty different, though. Generally less intense - especially since I need to modify some of the postures as a beginner - but I do like it. And their philosophy TOTALLY resonates with me. They are all about making the world a better place through your everyday actions and using yoga practice to become a better person from the inside out. Really wonderful food for thought.

Day #33

Bikram Kaimuki - class #120
Monday 8:15 pm w/ Kevo

Home Practice - Jivamukti (60 min) #121
Tuesday

Bikram Kaimuki - class #122
Wednesday 8:15 w/ Jeremy

Home Practice - Baptiste (85 min) #123
Thursday

Well today I wanted to post some stats for the month of June.

30 total yoga practice sessions:
14 Bikram - 3x home, 11x studio (90 min each)
14 Baptiste - 8x 45 min, 4x 60 min, 2x 70 min
1 Barkan - 60 min
1 Jivamukti - 60 min

That's 2120 total minutes of yoga this month!!

Which is an average of 70 minutes per day!!!

YAY! I got my new yoga videoes. So far I have tried "Transform Yourself with Jivamukti Yoga" w/ David Life & Sharon Gannon and "Foundations of Power Vinyasa" w/ Baron Baptiste. I think I will do "Power to the Peaceful Yoga" w/ David Life, Sharon Gannon & Michael Franti this evening and then go to Manny's class in Hawaii Kai tomorrow.

My plan is to start with the 2 Jivamukti DVD's alternating w/ Baptiste workouts for a few weeks until I sort of learn those routines. Then I will incorporate the Sean Corn and Shiva Rea practices into the rotation one at a time. I don't want to overwhelm myself with too many new routines at the same time. If I add them in slowly and give myself a chance to learn one new style at a time, I think that I will avoid getting frustrated and enjoy the process a lot more.

Almost 1/3 of the way to 101!!!!

Day #28

Home Practice - Baptiste (70 min) #117
Friday

Bikram Hawaii Kai - class #118
Saturday 6 pm w/ Manny

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #119
Sunday

I forgot how much I like Manny's class. He moves a bit faster through the 26 postures than other Bikram teachers I've had. But I really enjoy his take on the series. I also really like the radiant heat. It seems much hotter than the Kaimuki studio. Feels like it heats you through to your core and I am able to get deeper into the postures in a shorter period of time.

My roommate helped me put up a 30" x 60" mirror in my yoga room. Tonight's practice was the first one I did in front of the mirror. I love being able to check my alignment while I am doing postures now. Such a helpful tool, don't know how I ever got along without it.

I am really happy with my progress so far. Still not proficient at the Baptiste videoes, but getting better every day. I really can't wait for my new yoga dvd's to come this week. I am so excited to try classes with Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, David Life, and Sharon Gannon. I am going to be in yoga heaven with all the new insights and the variety in yoga styles. I feel almost like a kid counting down the days until Christmas!

Day #25

Bikram Kaimuki - class #115
Wednesday 8:15 pm w/ Tom

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #116
Thursday

Solid class w/ Tom Wed night. Decent home practice tonight. Not much to say about either.

Hard to believe that I'm done w/ 25 days in a row and almost a quarter of the way to 101!!!!!

Day #23

Bikram Kaimuki - class #113
Monday 8:15 pm w/ Gail

Home Practice - Baptiste (60 min) #114
Tuesday

I *really* didn't feel like doing yoga tonight. I had one of those days where I can just tell that I am about to start my period any second now. Feeling really grouchy and low energy and uncomfortable and just blah. But I practiced anyway. And I know that it did my body a lot of good. Still kinda achy but my attitude is 1000% better.

Last night I took class with Gail - who I am not at all crazy about. I guess that I should consider myself lucky that she is the only teacher I've had here that I really don't care for. I purposely went to her class, though, because Kevo was teaching the 6:30 and my body needed an easier class. My back was still pinched last night but now after tonight's home practice it feels like it has relaxed a bit.

There were several men in class last night and somebody had serious BO. And then there was someone breathing out really hard with all kinds of drama after every single posture all through the class. I was a little peeved cause the teacher didn't say anything to correct whoever was doing it - but I knew better than to have high expectations for a cohesive class. I started to just tune everything out and actually had an OK practice in spite of it all.

Day #21

Bikram Kaimuki - class #111
Saturday 4:30 pm w/ Kevo

Home Practice - Baptiste (45 min) #112
Sunday

WOW. 3 weeks straight doing yoga every day. I feel fantastic. Although I must admit my back is kinda sore after 2 days in a row of Kevo classes. He just has a knack for getting me to push myself to the edge. And maybe a little past the edge sometimes. I'm hoping that after tonight's fairly mellow workout it will be better tomorrow.

I'm really going to try to alternate studio days w/ home days so that I'm not doing the exact same sequence (including Bikram) any 2 days in a row. I feel like my body does better with that kind of variety. At least for now. But I am really stoked to keep on going strong without skipping a single day of yoga for the next 11 weeks and maybe even beyond.