First 6AM Class

Well, I haven't been doing the greatest job of keeping my 30-day journal updated. Today is Day 12 (unbelievable, already?) but I missed class on Sunday so I have to do a double today for the second time. I don't even know if this is allowed. Anyway, it will be much easier going this time around as I was able to do the first class at 6AM (a mere 10.25 hours after I finished my last class at 7:45PM yesterday) and I'll either go to 6:15 or 8:15 tonight. Then I will be caught up.

I'll be honest: the first double, last Wednesday, was tough. I had planned on taking it really easy during the first class but instead I felt compelled to push to my edge. I don't know why, exactly. I brought a new towel and a change of clothes for round two (which commenced half an hour after the prior class finished) and drank a litre of water with electrolytes. I was really surprised by how much I sweat during the second class as I thought I didn't have any fluid left in my body by that point, but I was drenched all over again. I had to lie through a few poses in the second class due to sheer fatigue. All in all, though, I felt pretty all right when it was all over, but I was too pumped to get a really good night's sleep. I thought I'd pass out immediately, but it was like I had drank three cups of coffee before going to bed.

I missed Thursday's class and headed back for 6:15PM on Friday. That class was a killer. I had drank alcohol the night before which of course never helps matters, and I found just remaining in the room near intolerable let alone going through all the poses. Laying down didn't help matters at all, as the room felt unbearably hot. Also, I was so sleepy that during each savasana I could barely keep my eyes open. Wretched!! I literally had to drag myself home.

Nonetheless, I trooped off to 8AM Saturday morning thinking it would be a slow, sparsely populated, easy-going class. Hah! I was dead wrong. The hot room was packed solid with people eager to get their yoga out of the way in order to enjoy the weekend, and it turned out to be another tough one. I would have loved something in my stomach as I hadn't even eaten since before the last class, so I was pretty starved. Thirsty, too. My sister was along with me so that was rather comforting, and I no longer find her to be such a distraction in class (before I would find myself staring at her constantly and involuntarily trying to match or go beyond her depth in the poses, even when I wasn't ready). Not a terrible class, but not particularly smooth, either.

I had planned to go Sunday afternoon, but Saturday night was a big one, making the entire next day a complete write-off. My sister wasn't able to attend class, either. Instead I enjoyed a leisurely Mother's Day dinner and a night of watching movies. Phew, that felt really good.

Last night's class (Monday), went fairly well. Standing series was kind of hard as I felt really tired for some reason, and by the time we hit Tree Pose I felt like I could use a nap. However, floor series went well, even spine-strengthening series. I got stronger and stronger as the end of the class neared, and then I sailed right out of there! Too bad standing series was so monstrous.

And that brings me to this morning's class at 6AM. I tried my best to get to sleep as early as possible last night but I fear it wasn't until around 11:00, and I got up around 5:30. Not too bad. By the time I ran into the studio I only had minutes to spare, so no time for stretching. I was really surprised to see a new girl in class today - I don't think I'd be very keen on having my very first class at that hour. Once again, standing series was tougher than floor series. During both classes I found it very difficult to hold Standing Head to Knee and Standing Bow as I can't seem to keep my strength up or hold my balance. I know I'm giving up too soon but I can't seem to help it.