Challenger

I started yet another challenge yesterday, which makes today Day 2. I hadn't been to Bikram yoga in just over a week when I went into class last night. I didn't feel like going. I felt like lying in bed feeling depressed, but a little voice told me something good would come of it if I dragged myself up and out into the car. And good came! I saw posters for a challenge starting, which means a good deal on a one month package, even if a person doesn't necessarily intend to do a challenge. But I do. It's the right thing for me to do now.
Not having been to class in a while, but instead quite active with another style of yoga, I was truly in top form last night and today. This can only firm up my longstanding notion that something I am doing in class is aggravating a condition. I want to do this yoga for life. I may be past my prime in some sense, but I am still young, and I do still want to better my bodily condition, my shape, and further increase my strength and flexibility, even as I age. But my injury inhibits my progress, the depth into which I can physically go into the postures. My mental focus & concentration, awareness of my body, and my dedication to the practice, have all progressed beautifully.
What I'm basically saying is I want to do Standing-Head-to-Knee!!! I still look like a beginner on some days. I've got to heal up!
So, the mystery continues. I read some very good advice about strengthening the abdominals as a compliment to one's yoga practice - actually, as a necessary component, to protect the back. My abs are still too weak, I've realized. So, forget any kind of extreme cardio or worrying about silly things like calorie counting and five extra pounds. My goal is abs strengthening, hip opening, hamstring stretching, and back HEALING!