Day 30! Awesome!

Wow, now that was a fantastic day 30 class! Jason and Brittney co-taught the session and the room was packed with tons of energy. There were also additional teachers in the class that helped us with postures, and tons of encouragement. Students also had a chance to share experiences. It was a very powerful, moving class. My buddy Otto was there, and we finished the challenge together. That was pretty cool and a nice way to wrap up the thirty days.

So how do I sum it all up? Here are some of the highlights, and what I’ve taken away from this awesome journey:

 The 30 Day Challenge was not an iron man completion, it’s about the commitment. Doing what you have to do to show up, keeping yourself in check and making choices that will help you achieve your goal. Just show up and your body will know what to do. Learning to let go of what you have no control over, and just surrendering. Letting my breathing take over when things get a little tough, staying in the moment no matter how tired I feel, or how much I’d rather be somewhere else. Being aware of when my mind wanders and gently bring myself back to center. Being ok with the body I have each day, and how it responds. I honestly feel better mentally and physically now then ever before.

This Yoga is truly medicine for the body, mind and soul. How is it that I did Yoga for 30 days and my body feels so good? There were days when I would be a little stiff, but after the Yoga I would feel better; even though the class would be very tough. For years my back and wrists would hurt for long periods of time, and only after several visits of chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture appointments would things let up. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a huge fan of those treatments, and they have helped me in so many ways over the years. I find it amazing that by working the Yoga, and applying the pain to kill the pain concept that I feel so good.

Looking back before the challenge started, my mind had created about 5000 worst case scenarios and guess what? None of them happened. About half way through the month, I decided to allow the surrender and not anticipate frame of mind set in, and things really started to flow and get a little easier mentally. Seems so simple, but I think we tend to way over complicate things. Just let things be what they will be. Not that we should not plan and take the appropriate steps, but try and ease up a little. Do your best but be flexible, and as Bikram says in his book, do not let anything steal your peace.

 My wife and I incorporated juicing into our diet about two weeks before the challenge started, and I think that really helped. During the month I did my absolute best to stay hydrated, and eat the best possible foods to fuel my body. Doing the 30 days forced me to pay close attention to how I was feeling, and to listen to what my body needs. Controlling portion sizes, keeping the beers in check (yes I love my WA brews) and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate again for good measure.

In closing, I wanted to give a huge shout out to my wonderful, lovely wife Cathy for all the amazing support. I love you! I also want to thank Jason and theFusion team for all the inspiration, enthusiasm, and teachings, and to everyone I’ve taken a class with! Otto, Jennie, Dave, Bob - you guys rock. I’m looking forward to where the yoga takes me next on and off the mat! I’m only a mere rookie and am excited to be running this life long marathon known as Yoga. Namaste.

Day 29

Getting out of bed was pretty easy this morning.  Day 29 is here, and one more to go, and it's really hard to believe.  I'm not sure what to think yet.  This mornings session with Toni was really great.  Everyone had a lot of energy, and the vibe was sweet.  Great Class!  Day 30 up next.

Day 28

Day 28

Just show up!  No happy hour Black Raven awesomeness for me.  Damn, it's been a month... No worries though.  Class was smooth and Friday night was very nice, cool, calm and causal.

Day 27

Day 27

Longest Utkatasana/toe stand ever!

Yeah, class was so much fun today. Jason had us hold the 2^nd part of akward/toe stand for what seemed like 30-60 seconds, and basically everyone fell like bowling pins at the end. We all broke into laughter afterwards, and it really brought a ton of fun energy into class. I’m feeling so much better the yesterday, for I have a little more energy. However, I’m ready for a few days off. My body is ready to have a little downtime to soak in all this Yoga. Three days left!

Day 26

Chicken cordon bleu in the oven, rice, beans and very cold Diamond Know IPA by my side!  I made it through day 26!  I honestly felt horrible today, and that the yoga truck was coming to run me over.  As soon as I made it home from work I plopped down in this small chair we have by the front door, and feel asleep for like 10 minutes.  I woke up with 15 minutes to get ready and head out the door. 

Just show up, just show up, just show up! The body will know what to do.  Once class started I listened and followed the best I could, and my body did what it needed to do.  I made it!  4 more to go. 

Ahhh, about 5 more minutes and my dinner is ready.  Calling it!  Day 26 Check!

Day 25

Day 25 recap

My energy mentally and physically was there, but I felt a little clumsy. My entries and exits were strong, but everything in between felt a little off. I just went with the flow and did the best I could, and that is OK. 

I was talking with Brian before class about what teacher training is like, and about how a consistent practice can add up in the body. I have all this Yoga building up, and after a few days off my practice should elevate. It’s like making a huge deposit, letting the interest build, and then withdraw that nice payout. I’m excited at the prospect of how my yoga should change in the next few months. It was a great talk, and yeah teacher training sound so intense. I also got to practice next to Dave. He is a great guy, and it’s always fun to share the room energy.

 It’s now Wednesday Morning and Day 26 is now up to the plate. I’m honestly super tired today. Maybe it’s all finally catching up to me. I’ve felt incredibly strong the past 25 days, but this morning I’m pretty sluggish. I’m breaking out the Carrot, Celery super juice right now! *Thank you Cathy I love you* The finish line is so close and it will be crossed! 7 hours until class and then sleep.

Day 24

Day 24

Monday 6:30 with Jason! Always inspiring and high energy. Class was awesome however I started to run out of gas towards the end of the floor series. My mind started to wander a little, and I’ll I could think about was the 32oz coconut water in my car, and downing the whole thing in seconds. Heck maybe a coconut water swimming pool I could jump into. Focus grasshopper, just breath, I’ll be OK. This happens a lot, and the breath seems to always come to the rescue. Slow easy flow! 

I think the greatest victory in this Yoga is what you take with you outside of class. Practicing daily to keep the mind calm, and breath when life *things*get a little tense, and letting go of whatever you are holding onto. Hang up you hang ups as Glen would say.

I’m starting to notice that my back and hamstrings are so much more flexible during the evening classes. I can feel it right away with the first forward bend that I do. Good Stuff!