Bikram Yoga, Day 7

Again, skipped yesterday due to scheduling, and the fact that I didn't have my clothes and towel dry by the time I could have left for the last class.


So Class Seven was a Friday night 6:30pm class, last class of the day, with new (for me) teacher T.  T was obviously a vet teacher, and really made the class hers, calling out corrections and praises to individuals, varying the dialogue to her own speed and personality.  At times she spoke fast, and it felt like an auction, but most of the class she was fine, easy to follow, and motivating.  I'd happily take her class again.


I made sure to not place my mat in the Unflattering Spot under That Light, and I felt better for it.  The test will be, many classes from now, to put myself back in the Unflattering Spot under That Light, and see if there was any improvement.  Not that this is about  vanity or anything like that, not at all.


MY PRACTICE
- My shoulders are much looser, and the beginning Half Moon poses are so much easier to do, the way the used to be.  I've also learned to keep my legs taut, my knees and buttocks locked so that my weight is in my heels, and suddenly the first few postures are so much easier!  Like a big "OH!.... THAT'S how you do it...."  The yoga slowly reveals itself.
-  I also learned, finally, how to properly lock my knee out in standing head to knee posture.  Thanks to TheMissus, I realized that I have to lock my knee first, THEN contract the quad so the kneecap rises.  Yesterday the teacher said how the quad muscles do not want to lock, being fast twitch muscles and all.  And this whole time I fought a losing battle trying to keep my knee locked by just contracting the quad.  This new/correct was is SO much easier to keep the knee still, and I actually did kick out a few times during the pose.  I was so happy to actually kick out and hold it  for a second that I promptly and joyfully fell out.  It's like I discovered a new toy!
- So after those beginning poses, my balance and strength just sucked. I fell out I don't know how many times in the rest of the standing poses.  No balance whatsoever. Ah well, at least I finally locked my knee!
- Continuing with the trend in the last few classes, my abs are still showing up, little by little, and my neck is much less stiff and strained in, oh, I don't know how many poses!  C'mon, abs, you can do it!
 - Am still being conscious about my mind wandering about during savasana, and I will focus on Being Here Now in the room, only to have my mind wander off to the Future or the Past.  This will take some time.