Freestyle Fridays - We Did Headstands!

Let me start off by saying that I have gone upside down in only, including this, a total of 3 classes. The first time I could not even get upside down at the end of a hot flow class - although I really tried...banging my head into the wall as my arms collapsed. Upon which I quickly got up to make sure nobody was paying attention to my crazy tumble! My excuse being that I was tired with all the push ups the lady had us do in class and the plethora of other poses as well. Either way, that class where my arms gave out, made me bound and determined to do a headstand/arm stand; any type of 'stand' so that I was upside down! Figuring maybe I just was not strong enough yet and needed to really start working that little bit harder in class. So I registered for my first upside down class and it was too awesome! I went to YogaLife on the Southside here, Brittany was the teacher - and I love it! It was a non-heated class and I was happy for this to start my upside down journey....as I was not worried about slipping in the rivers of sweat that tend to happen in the hot class, while I was trying to get up. And get up I did! Like the picture to the R :) and I was super impressed with myself. Now, did I still need the wall, oh you bet ya, however I was just so happy I got upside down that it didn't matter. Baby steps I figured are key so I keep hitting my head or nose to a minimum.

Now this Fridays Freestyle class with Sean at Bliss Yoga Spa was great as well - for one I was not expecting it. Sean's classes are usually such a challenge that I was prepped for wanting to die part way though class... lol, but that is death in a good way. He challenges you so much, that you will be damned if you cant do it in one Fridays class, in the next Friday you will do it! (case and point, his lunge, hands down, plank, grab the big toe with the hand closest to the foot, lift up said foot - hold, and then continue onto side plank - of course hold - while holding your toe out and staying up! Oh and remembering to breath while your arm shakes and you are trying for balance as well) It is a love-hate kinda relationship and I would not trade it. That same side plank-toe grab- I can do now, when I couldn't at first, I just can not extend my foot all the way out yet, I need to be more 'bendy'.

     However he surprised me and a few other ladies in class as well with what we learned next! 

Crow, one legged Crow (and nope, cant do that yet), Crow to push-up (not there either, kissed my mat actually on this one and nose is still sore today to remind me at least I tried), then Crow to headstand (one on forearms and one using hands on the mat). I got into the headstand only once where I felt totally balanced. No pressure on my head or arms, it was all even and felt like I was floating, abit upside down... and I love it! Doing the movements required to get oneself upside down, I have found that I need to be stronger and more flexible. My core for sure needs to harness some more strength! Damn belly yet another reason to chalk up to why I do not want it anymore! I guess there is more than one reason why we do all those floor ab routines every class and I am going to have to dig into that part even more now.  Crow I am going to have to work on more as well, I think I am to squished up (yes that is my technical word), and I need to lengthen my spine more with my knees higher up on my triceps . Feeling the back of my arms today where they are slightly tender due to my knees pushing on them, I realize it is to close to my elbows (in my brain anyhow). Either way, this is only the beginning of learning how to get all these upside down things to be effortless - or at least to look effortless (Sean totally made it look effortless in class - granted he is the teacher yes, but I am bound and determined to get there one day).

I forget I have not been doing yoga all that long but I so love the challenge and how it makes me feel. Makes you accept yourself and work through your challenges, accepting your limitations (and they change daily- depending on so many things that could be going on). Its about learning to "be in the moment", to just Breathe ... sounds simple right? At times it is but at more so than not you have to work through it....  I am defiantly in my element, even if I am only in the beginning of learning it - I am so loving the journey so far and this is my journey - so I am doing it right. Right for me that is :)