Vegetarianism

I'm having a difficult day at work, so I thought I'd write about something that accidentally became important to my yoga practice. I had always joked I wanted to be a vegetarian but always thought it was going to be difficult, especially as a runner. I had stopped eating beef and pork for about 5 years in my teen years, but then started again a couple years ago. However, just like getting my yoga teaching certification, becoming a vegetarian slowly stopped becoming something I mused about and a reality.

Last year I started dating a vegetarian. He was actually raised vegetarian and maintained it for most of his life except for a few years eating meat and a few as a vegan. He didn't ask me to become a vegetarian nor did he care if I ate a double double cheeseburger in front of him. So I wasn't forced or asked into vegetarianism, but ate less meat as the result of dating someone who was.

Eventually I started asking about vegetarians and protein and running and all those "usual" questions. Lots of vegans and vegetarians run marathons and live healthy lives, so it's not impossible. With a little research it seemed doable, and signing up for a produce co-op allowed for more variety in my diet. Having things like Kale and Chard weekly in my box expanded my vegetable consumption and ensured I was getting enough protein and vitamins.

After moving in together I didn't really think about it becoming a full time vegetarian. The one thing I did notice is that Bikram became much easier. I felt lighter and like my body wasn't working as hard to hold poses. When I went into my first class after changing my eating, the difference was remarkable and it is a different change than just building endurance. I can't really explain it.

I'm not really advocating that everyone becomes a vegetarian, but I will say it's not as hard as I thought it to be. It's been a major improvement to my practice though, just like fasting. Which will totally be another post.

Experiences in Class (wk 2)

On the agenda for last weekend was some discussion on vegetarianism (which I'll cover in a later post) and some of the yoga philosophy. Saturday is typically 2-3 hours of asanas (poses/practice) and 2-3 hours of lecture and discussion. Sunday is more discussion, going through a shorter practice (1 hour) and then taking a restorative yoga class, which is very different.

Saturday's main focus was on inversion postures like downward dog, handstand and headstand. After three hours of that I was really sore. I can't get up into a handstand or a headstand at this point but with some of the prep-postures I'll eventually get there.

There is about seven other women in the class and we are all different levels of experience and background. I get picked out frequently to demonstrate. Not because I'm better, but because of my body type. I did long distance running and took spin classes for years. Because of spinning from ages 14-17 my hamstrings are very tight and I'm really not that flexible in certain areas. I have a lot of movement and openness in my hips, but hamstrings and shoulders and still tight.

Sunday was more discussion of philosophy and what it means. Which is a post all of its own. So it the restoratives class, which I'm still trying to decide how I feel about. It's very different and uses a lot of props (blankets, blocks, bolsters). Sometimes it's good, sometimes it hurts. So I'm still figuring that one out.

I have some homework I have to wrap up before classes start again this weekend. Woo hoo heading into week three. Home practice tomorrow or tonight...

Home Practice Week 2

Part of my homework this week was to create a home practice based around my Dosha type. I'm a pitta (you can take a test here) which means that I tend to work myself to death and when I get stressed I get aggressive and irritable. If you want more information about Dosha types and their characteristics try this link

So when I become unbalanced I need a yoga practice to recenter me, which is exactly what I created this week for my home practice. Here's my sequencing in sanskrit and the english names:

Tadasana (Mountain)
Ardha-Chandrasana (Half-Moon)
Uttanasana (Forward Fold)
Pada Hastasana (Hands-to-feet pose)
Uttanasana (Forward Fold)
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog)
Ardha Mandalasana (Lunge)
Uttanasana (Forward Fold)
Tadasana (Mountain)
Garudasana (Eagle)
Vrksanana (Tree)
Tadasana (Mountain)
Prasarita Padohanasana (Wide-Leg Forward Fold)
Trikonasana (Triangle)
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog)
Marjaryasana-Bitilasana (Cat-Cow Vinyasas)
Sasangasana (Rabbit)
Balasana (Child's Pose)
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Seated Spinal Twist)
Savasana

Photo Post 1

Photos from tonight. I'm technically in week two, but results physically aren't showing yet. I also went to the doctor today so here are my stats:
Height: 5'6
Weight: 133lbs
Blood Pressure: 126/60

The Beginning

About a month ago I was musing to myself once again that I should become a certified yoga teacher. I've been practicing yoga (mostly Bikram) for about 5 or 6 years now periodically joking about teaching. Within a few days of my more recent musing, an email came through from Yoga Yoga announcing a new session.

After doing some math and budgeting I decided to sign up for the full 220 certification that's run through Yoga Alliance. It's definately been an interesting two weeks and since the classes are on the weekends I will be in this training until February 15, 2011. February 15th also happens to be the day before my birthday.

So with all of this I'm starting a blog. After talking to David and LDM it seems like the right thing to do. Especially since it's a pretty clear journey to record. LDM is suggesting I take before and after photos. Maybe.