6.29.16- 11:30am

I excused myself early for lunch so I could do yoga today. The 6am gets to me sometimes and it's nice to change it up if I can (which is rare thanks to work).   Today was a silent class...Elizabeth said afterwards that it may have been the most peaceful, meditative class she's ever had (she was in it not teaching) and I agree. I was in another place...a very calm one, and it was great. Being able to hear your breath and your thoughts the way you can is what does it, allowing you to focus and go deeper (if that's what you choose to do). One saying regarding challenging yourself in yoga is "if you can you must!". Don't do something your body can't handle but if it's saying "I think I can handle this" then you must try. Why? Because why not??

6.23.16- 6am

I have been thinking about my pineal gland a lot lately. It's also referred to as the "Third Eye" based on it's location between the eyes (in side your brain n'stuff though) and it's function which is said to effect (in addition to sleep patterns) your intuition. I have noticed my intuition being much more accurate lately...and my ability to listen to it, stronger. This is an amazing development that everyone should try to experience. I've only cracked the surface but being aware is the first step. I am confident that a regular practice of yoga and meditation will help strengthen this newly unearthed gem even  more. My end goal...growing an actual third eye (kidding...maybe).

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6.21.16- 6am

Today in class Elizabeth stood directly behind me during the second part of Awkward Pose and challenged me not to touch her as I went down on my toes. It was basically impossible...she told me to stop rubbing my bum on her but alas, I could not. So there's something to work on!

6.17.16- 6am

Mindfulness during yoga practice is the key to going deeper. Being mindful of your breath allows you to do things and overcome things you never realized were possible. It's so neat when it finally happens. It's so simple yet so challenging. It's not up to me to try to  get people I love to do yoga. We all have free will and exercise it as we choose...we can only control ourselves.

6.16.16-6am

Neat...another black metal date \m/. Felt really strong yesterday and today in class...owing somewhat to sleeping in until 6:30am yesterday and doing 11:30am yoga. It's important to switch up and not always just do 6am. Some of the teachers in class want Colin to go to teacher training and he's considering it. I think it would be wonderful for him but I'll use my method of reverse psychology to let him come to that decision himself (or not). The biggest thing I need to remember in class in so  many poses is to puff up my chest...Standing Bow, Standing Separate Leg Stretching, Tree...if I can remember stick out my chest raise it up, everything else follows and you grow by inches. It's finally becoming intuitive but it took two years of practice!!

6.10.16- 6am

Jeannie was in her truest form today, correcting a LOT of things. Got a great tip on Triangle pose which allowed me to go deeper than ever before. It turns out I have built up the strength to bend my leg and get lower than I thought I could...I didn't TRY...I just assumed I couldn't, whoops! So she make me really get down low then she "punched" my hip forward and down. She used her fist! It didn't hurt but it was a really strange feeling to move it that way...my hips, like most women, are tight and only recently really started opening. I don't think I could have done this a month ago. YIPPEE! Now I need to keep remembering to do it that way.

6.7.16- 6am

Two good tips from Jeannie today. First one on Standing Bow...when lifting arm and shoulder in the set up, puff out your chest and open it up before you charge forward. This improves alignment. Second tip was on the first part of Stretching pose; turn nose more to knee and lift up rib cage to curve more. This is not intuitive for me, so I have to remind myself. I have the same issue with situps and Standing Separate Leg Head To Knee...my back does like to curve forward. It's also a bit sore from trying harder on the sit ups yesterday but not in a painful way. It just feels like I used some new muscles...so I'm going to keep at it.

6.6.16-6am

First of all, just realizing how satanic and metal today's date is, \m/!
Very humid class today, you can always tell it's going to be a wet one when you are dripping sweat before the first Pranayama set is over. It was a good cleanse. Observation on Toe Stand...so pleased to see I can do it on both sides again. My knee seems to finally be...dare I say...healed!? For now at least. It was a wonderful feeling to do the full expression of that pose again and lift my gaze on both sides. Still not able to lift hips off of heel though but am contemplating it so that means it's getting closer to a reality. Last observation...I've always disliked and not been good at the straight legged sit ups because of the need to touch forehead to knee. Even when bending my knees it's really challenging for me to get my head to knees and it's due to tightness in the lower back. I really tried today, though, and by the end of class was making it happen. I just hope my back doesn't get sore because of it.

6.3.16- 6am

Small observation today that I felt was worth recording...on Camel Pose, if close your jaw (meaning touch your teeth together with  mouth closed) while bending back, you get a really great stretch of the neck that is probably impossible to get any other way. It feels great and it also seemed to help my back bend more. It also helps lift the chest. Very cool indeed! Now I must remember to keep doing it!