Boy Lotus

Yoga Core Day 3 - 04/03/2013

Thoughts:

Even though I have only been doing Yoga for a very short time I can totally see why so many people would want to incorporate the techniques into their lives. I have always played high intensity sports like rugby or soccer so it's refreshing physically and mentally to something a tad different. I mean when do you really ever take the time to focus solely on your breathing or or body alignment (well not me anyway). For the longest time I have had problem with the cartilage around my right knee and also had some related joint pains that have been bothering me in that area. Now at first I thought I was imaging this but after each class I have noticed that the stiffness and soreness has been reducing around the knee not to mention my all round flexibility and posture is on the improve. But this is only in some areas, there are still parts such as my shoulders and back which will require much muuuuch more work, baby steps.

Coolest Thing I've Learned So Far:

Like the week before at the end of the class we had to do a breathing exercise, this one was called Anuloma Viloma or alternate nostril breathing. After sitting down in the lotus position and just relaxing your breathing for a few minutes we had to close are right nostril with your thumb and then inhale deeply through left then close the left nostril and exhale through the right (then alternate). While alternating your breathing through both nostrils an just letting your heart rate drop and simply letting your mind drift away I felt super calm and really really good? I was completely relaxed but strangely felt like my mental and physical senses had heightened? Just little things like wiggling your toes or moving the muscles in your face you could feel it more, everything seemed to be activated and this was pleasantly surprising considering the weekend I just had lol. So I asked Sandy what this breathing technique was used for and she mentioned that besides the benefits of calming the mind and nervous system it can help with you with gaining optimum creativity (Hell Yeah) and also helps verbal activity (which I'm in much need of in the beginning of the week) wicked :)

Lessons learned:

• Got there a wee bit late which sucks because the warm up is crucial.
• I'm a little better off than last week but still in a bit pain.
• Bonus: Just found a malaysian food joint round the corner from the studio that is brilliant :0