I’ve been lifting weights again and doing cardio.
Haven’t returned to the treadmill yet but I’ve been on the bike. I’ve also been taking a Hop Step Kick class on Mondays and Wednesdays.
BTW – last Monday we did a lot of squats and kicks – my bum is more than sore today because of it – 2 days later. It’s good though because I need to kick up the cardio. All that sugar intake has definitely showed up all over my body!
Last night I demonstrated a few poses in yoga class. The classes have been pretty full so often times I stand in the back and just give verbal instruction.
I was able to practice a little bit with the students last night and I noticed how much flexibility I have lost since I haven’t been practicing hot yoga myself. I have mainly been doing power yoga at home.
It makes sense that if you don’t keep up your practice that you’ll lose some of your flexiblity, balance, or strength. Oftentimes, you’ll lose a little of all.
I noticed it the most when I came to Padahastasana, Hands to Feet.
(My husband took this picture of me last Summer). I am pretty flexibile to begin with but last night I had a tough time straightening out my knees.
As I was instructing my class, I was surprised by the tightness of my hamstrings. I guess all that biking and kicking hasn’t done much for them.
It has motivated me to return to my mat in the heat. It’s difficult for me to get into class as a student because my family life is so busy – especially during the week.
On weekends I just want to be a mom and not take time away from the kids at all – so practicing hot yoga means running the bath water as hot as it can get, cranking up the heat in my bathroom (thank goodness it’s the size of small bedroom!) and doing the poses on my own in the comfort of my personal space.
It’s going to take some time but I know I will gain my flexibility back in a very short amount of time.
The body has a keen way of remembering where it’s been before and will work hard to perform at its best.
A lot of new students ask if flexibility will improve over time. The answer is always yes, you just have to remember to be patient and not expect to see progress too soon. A lot of people want to see a difference within a couple weeks, and that’s just not going to happen.
As I write this, I’m remembering my own advice…to be good at something, you have to practice it, you have to study, become a good student.
Namaste.
