Day Twenty-one

Back to yoga for the first time since Thursday. On Thursday instead of the kick-ass Jude I had the substitute Val. It is important to note that in this context the term "kick-ass" means Jude tries to make you cry. Referring to Val as not an ass kicker just means you can walk out of her class, it is not an insult. On Tuesday I had Val instead of the kick-ass Rebecca. In case you missed it, Tuesday marked the summer solstice. There is a good chance that the only thing you cared about was the fact that it meant it was light out until 9 PM. If you are a yogi then this is an opportunity for you to meditate upon the brightness the sun brings into the world. For the rest of us this means we have to listen to our yoga instructor blather on about the light within us. This should not be taken as an indication that I did not enjoy the class. I walked in ready to pass out on my feet and walked out ready to pass out on my feet, but in between I had a damned good time.

Instructor: Val
Pain level: Orange
Highlight of the class: Passing out clean in savasana. Fuck all that you hold holy but I love me a good sleep.
Favorite posture: A series of sun salutations (Surya Namaskara). This was a great way to invigorate the body.
Least favorite posture: Savasana. I know, I know, it was the highlight of the class when I passed out during meditation, but Val kept droning on and on about the light outside representing the light within and every time she talked I woke back up. I love sleeping but I HATE waking up.

Day Thirteen

These Monday late-afternoon classes are a lot of fun but a lot of work. A lot of the abdominal work was isolated on the lower abs, especially isolated left and right lower abdominal strength work. In other words, the exact muscle I have torn. I had to really pay close attention to the experience because I am actively trying to not make things worth with middling success.

Instructor: Toby
Pain level: Orange
Highlight of the class: Urdhva mukha svanasana (upward-facing dog). I have never really been able to get into this posture comfortably before. I keep expecting my back to lock up when I move from up dog into downward facing dog (adho mukha svanasana) but for the most part if I keep the abdominal muscles locked then I can make it pain free.
Favorite posture: C curves in table posture. You look over your left shoulder and throw your left hip out from a table and the same to the right. It is a side opening posture. Also you can look at the cute girl over your left shoulder and only feel a little bad about it.
Least favorite posture: Surya namaskara. Toby led us through a series of postures in a modified sun salutation on our toes. "Stay way up on your toes," she implores. Thanks for pointing out my mutant feet, bitch!