Not so Flow and Flexibility Achievements

Sometime last night as I lay on the couch Netflixing and scrolling my Instagram feed, I saw the daily post go up for the #RunnersLoveYogaFlow challenge. Since my day was essentially over, I saved it to do first thing this morning. And that's what I did.

#RunnersLoveYogaFlow

Day 2- reverse warrior

Three thoughts: I love that I know what this pose is without having to Google it. I can move through the flow sequence to get to it (yay). I really need to work on my leg position when I'm doing flow...to do this I think I just need to slow down.

Not wanting to waste a nice set of warmed up muscles, I went right on with my morning workout pre-coffee. NBD.

30 Day Pilates Body

Day 22 - legs

Most of the leg exercises in today's video were a repeat of my Pilates class yesterday. I almost couldn't do them today! Like the kneeling side kick. I could feel this one working my abs and back too, as I tried to keep my core stable. Hard work here!!

I had just enough time for a cup of coffee and some TV before yoga class. So much sadness in the news again. I used to run to sort through my emotions, but now I find that the challenge of yoga helps.

I made it to yoga without getting rained on. We are on a Yellow Alert through tomorrow which means a lot of rain in a short period.

Flow 70 with Lee

Lee turned out to be a man and my first male yoga instructor. Lee was good, but Flow was really more like Hatha. We practiced a lot of poses, some with variations, but we didn't really move from one pose to the next. I still liked the session though. Oh, and I really nailed, I mean NAILED, crow pose today.

After class, I made a smoothie for breakfast/lunch. 

The new "new" washing machine was delivered. The owner, Paulie, came along to oversee things. About an hour later the installer came to hook it up and again the owner was here to see it was done properly. 

Service in China is much quicker than the US. The Bosch repairman came the same day that we called in and two days later we have a new machine installed.

A month ago I vowed to improve my forward fold. Armed with great advice from my yoga pal Danielle, regular yoga classes on my schedule, and yoga challenges, I'm getting there! So today, I love my muscles for being flexible!

First Impressions of Flow Yoga

I showed up at YogaLife for Pilates class only to learn that the schedule was different for this week. Instead the class being offered was Flow with Alignment. The girl behind the counter said the class was ok for beginners to try, so I figured what the heck? I'm already here.

Since it was my first time taking this type of class, I thought I'd share my first impressions/thoughts:

1. When the instructor only speaks Chinese, DO NOT PANIC! It is easy (most of the time) to follow along by simply watching the instructor or the people near you. If you are really messing up, the instructor will come to you.

2. Flow starts off slow. I know this has something to do with breathing. Connecting with our breath. That sort of thing. We sat for what seemed like an extra long time, just breathing. This leads to #3.

3. Seated meditation poses are hard work. You would think that sitting down would be restful. Effortless. Not so much. For a beginner like me, sitting straight makes my back muscles tired.

4. Pay attention to the sequence of poses. We were shown poses in groups of 4-6. After moving through them slowly, the instructor would have us repeat the sequence multiply times at a faster (but comfortable) pace.

5. It's OK if you can't do ALL of the poses. Most people in the class collapse the pose or simply lay down at some point. For me the goal is to try everything. Then I can see if I'm improving at all later.

6. Be prepared to sweat, A LOT! Even when it's not hot yoga! Normally I find it annoying to have sweat dripping off my face, arms, and legs. But in a yoga class, sweating means your body is warm, your muscles are warm, and therefore ready to stretch and twist and reach...I like this feeling.

7. You are supposed to contract your muscles while posing. I did not know that! I know my muscles contract as I am moving, but when holding a pose, the instructor pointed to my quads and indicated that I should contract (at least I think that's what she meant. Yogis let me know if I misunderstood). And, it's not easy to do. Believe me, I tried to tighten that quad. It just didn't want to cooperate beyond what it was already doing.

Not my class, but photo from YogaLife website

Overall, I liked Flow Yoga and will probably go back when it fits in with my schedule. It was a good class for beginners to take.


Do you have a yoga class preference?
Give me your best beginner yoga advice...