And then there are the classes where you're just not into it.
I really wanted to get into the habit of writing in here as soon as I finish class (or soon after) because that's when I remember everything. Now all I remember from Sunday and Monday's classes is that they were great, but yesterday wasn't so hot.
Lots of different stuff affects a practice and although it isn't really possible to guarantee a great class, there are certain things I can do to up my chances of having one. First and foremost, I have to have an empty stomach. If I can feel any food in there whatsoever I will be sluggish at best and, at worst, so dizzy and nauseous I'll have to lie down for extended periods. That's why I will not eat for a solid three hours before class starts, even though that seems kind of extreme for some people.
Next thing is the water - I must drink a minimum of two litres, and ideally, that's not even enough. It can be hard, though. Sometimes, if I know I haven't drank enough water throughout the day for whatever reason, I'll chug half a litre right before class starts. I know it's best to spread the water out but for me, it seems to make a big difference and it's a good last resort if I'm still worried. Also, because alcohol is very dehydrating and I for some reason find it difficult to drink great amounts of water when I'm hungover, it is always best if I haven't drank alcohol the night before my practice. (Of course!) I also try not to drink more than a smallish cup of coffee in the morning or consume any other dehydrating drinks.
Because I never get enough sleep, I'm always tired, and working in an office DOES NOT HELP, so I count on class in the evening to revitalize me. However, if I'm too tired, it's almost like it makes things worse. I usually go to a 6:15 class but I will go to 8:15 class and take a nap after work if I feel it is necessary (which it was last night), as that helps. Once I ate just a banana around two and a half hours prior to class and went to sleep for a around an hour and a half. I had a great class that night! But a nap is only a substitute for a good night's sleep. I couldn't imagine what class might feel like after a week of solid rest.
Then there is my mental state: sounds terrible, but often when I go to class with my sister we have broken out into a fight right before our practice and then made by our conscience to hastily make amends right before class starts, sometimes after we've already entered the hot room. Needless to say, this puts a damper on things, but it's not just fighting that can have a negative impact. Sometimes during and after work I find myself getting so irritated with people on the Skytrain or even just on the streets and through work and sitting in front of a computer all day can be just awful and draining. My after-work fatigue never helps my frame of mind and it's so busy downtown and sometimes these feelings build and build so that I find myself in a pretty bad mood right before I'm about to head off for yoga. This is definitely something I have to work on. If only I didn't work, my yoga practice would be so much better! I know that sounds like a given, but I find myself earnestly pondering this all the time.
Many other little things, such as the time of day of practice, the right outfit, the most comfortable hair-do, and having a good towel can also have an effect on the practice, but water, food, energy level and mindframe are the big ones. Of all of these, the only excuse strong enough to allow for me to justify not going to class, personally, would be eating too late. That would be the deal-breaker for me because I have done it in the past and truly suffered - suffered to the point where I couldn't participate in the postures. Under every other circumstance (besides maybe being sick with the flu or a really bad cold or something), I know I can make it to class and that I'll be better for it.
All of this standing, like I said - you can't always ensure that you'll have a good class. A bad class can just rise up out of nowhere when you least expect it. Granted, this has never happened when I've been in perfect form but I've had plenty of great classes where I was in much less than perfect form. (Let's face it, I'm hardly ever in perfect form.) Anyway, last night's class was almost going through the motions for me. I must have been really tired because I had to fight from closing my eyes during each Savasana and I really struggled to hold many of the poses. By the end of class my mind was completely elsewhere and I just wanted to go home.
But never mind, that's all right. I just remembered that I may be having a Toe Stand breakthrough. As I've mentioned, I have real problems with this pose. Namely, my knees (especially my left knee) is really weak. It just can't seem to hold me up, and when I first started I would often just stay in Tree rather than even make an attempt on this difficult pose. However, things seem to be looking up. I no longer have to cheat and bend my knees before my hands touch the ground on the way down, and my balance is much better now, particularly while I'm being held up by my left leg. It still hurts, but I can do it now whereas before I would just collapse. The only thing that is still practically impossible is coming up in form while balancing on my left leg (I practically give myself a stroke trying to come up) and, of course, getting my hands into Namaskar. It will be a long time before we see that day, my friends.
It is also worth mentioning that I was able to hold second set Standing Bow on both sides very well yesterday.
I'm still pumped for the 30 day challenge!
No comments:
Post a Comment