Bikram - the bat shit insane, gimmicky, McYoga

Today we decided to try Bikram out. We'd heard a lot of good things about it. I kinda hated it.

The worst part for me was the instructor - she was a grumpy little drill sergeant who treated the class like wayward children and never shut the hell up. But if that was the only thing that I disliked, I'd be willing to try it again with a different instructor.

The heat felt like a gimmick; the poses they put you through weren't actually all that interesting or difficult - as long as you could stand the heat. Since each pose in the series was pictured in a frame on the wall in the order that we did them, it's clear that every class is exactly the same every time. And the last 4-5 poses are all done sitting on your knees - something I can't do without triggering massively painful foot cramps - so I couldn't participate in the last 10 minutes of class. I've never spent so much time in shivassana in a class in my life - not that I wasn't grateful for the brief respites. And then, despite making sure i was very well hydrated before i went to class, and during class and after class, I had a horrible headache for several hours afterwards.

I MUCH prefer the Ashtanga class that we've started attending on Fridays at Iron Works. The teacher is an enthusiastic, well informed, yogi who has clearly had LOTS of training. He actually moves through the room for the whole class, helping people correct their postures, which is fantastic. and the poses actually feel like they will help me achieve greater static strength and flexibility - the whole reason I've gone back to doing yoga.

Additionally, when I told my acupuncturist that I had tried Bikram, he winced and then said, hesitantly "How did you like it?" When I said I kinda hated it, he was relieved to hear that, and told me that he thought that it was not a healthy practice - particularly not for me, and that he thought the Ashtanga practice was a much better idea - which is fantastic since it means that I now have a medical exuse not to try it again ... (not that I think I relaly needed one).

Yoga. Humbling AND refreshing

Today, we went to an Ashtanga yoga class instead of Crossfit. I found it extremely refreshing to be doing something other than CrossFit for a change. It also became immediately clear (though I already knew this to be true) that i have a LONG way to go towards working on my flexibility.

I was gratified to notice that there were aspects of it that I was better at than I used to be - I can jump back into the plank position for sun salutations, which I could not before, and I also spent less time in child's pose when a movement required too much strength. Ex. I did not used to be able to hold downward dog all the way through all of the introductory Vinyasas - my arms and shoulders would just give out. And I was able to, this time.

But there have definitely been slips in balance and flexibility (particularly flexibility - since balance is just always bad), which I am very much looking forward to working on.

I liked the teacher. He was clearly extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the practice of yoga, and he actually went around the room and adjusted the students when they were having trouble with a pose, which I really appreciated.

Yogain

According to this blog, I haven't taken a yoga class since May 2, 2008 - over a year ago. Tonight we went to an Ashtanga class at Ironworks for a bit of variety, and because we both feel our functional flexibility is somewhat lacking.

It was a humbling experience. I am not perceptibly stronger or better at ANY pose, and several of them feel quite a bit worse. Maybe it was because I was exceptionally sore, but my body simply felt locked up most of the time.

I liked Matt, the instructor - he's a bit woowoo, but what do you expect in a yoga class in Berkeley? He's good about going around the room and physically making adjustments to the class participants, which I think is really important.

I felt better afterwards. I wish I had time to do this a couple times a week, even on my own, but as it is I expect we'll be sneaking back in whenever we get a chance.

6-6-08

Ashtanga Yoga - 1.5 hours.
Best boat poses EVAR. was able to keep balanced with straight legs for nearly all 5. I got a little wobbly there on the very last one.

Climbing:
10a, 10c(f+), 10b/c(f+), 10a(o), 10b(f), 10a

Not a banner day, as I went into it sore and tired. Think I'm going to try a D on Monday. I've now done every a, b and c (but one) in the gym. I'd also like to start running drills.

Back squat x3:
45, 45, 45, 95, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155

Squat form still sucks. I can't get below parallel without falling backwards, and as it is I'm leaning too far forward and putting strain on my lower back. I need to buy the SS book and learn how the hell to do these things.

Practiced ring pushups and did 3x3 HSPU's with feet up on the top rung of the Smith machine.

Evening: Ashtanga Yoga 1.5 hours

Climbing: 10a, 10b, 10c(NOT legit) I think this MAY be my first completely legit b (ie, I didn't weight the rope at all). Not sure though.

Deadlifts 3-3-3-3-3: 165-185-195-195-205

Practiced HSPU's w/feet up in cage.

Evening: Ashtanga Yoga, 1.5 hours

Climbing - 5.8, 10b, 10c and 2 x 10a

Was pretty wiped afterward, so didn't do a formal CF workout. Just practiced my form for Squat Cleans, Ring Dips and HSPU's (with feet up on Smith machine) for half an hour.

Evening: Ashtanga Yoga, 1.5 hours

Met Tor at Ironworks and did some climbing this morning, despite shoulders feeling totally shredded from yesterday. 8, 10a, 10b and failed my way up a 10d.

Then did the 7x1 deadlift CF:

185, 195, 205, 205, 215, 215, 225

Still honing the form, think I may be hunching my back on the let-down.

Evening: Ashtanga yoga, 1.5 hours