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Day 21, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
And on the 21st day there was rest. Feeling quite run down, I opted for a two hour nap today instead of rushing out to an afternoon class after teaching this morning followed by giving a 2 hr. Thai massage. I have to admit, I am a little let down as its the first day without a practice, and that was one of the points of the challenge. On the other hand, we all need sleep, and it’s something I often deprive myself of as I feel that nighttime is the only time I can get anything done! With Louis sick this past week and Xavier and I on the verge, we’ve been laying low this afternoon.
I have to admit that where my practice is concerned I feel a little leashed to the family, especially on the weekends. I adore my son and husband, but I would love to take more of the weekend workshops offered around town and feel more a part of the larger yoga community. Zhenja La Rosa is in town at Indaba Yoga Studios the next couple of weeks, and there are always some incredible teachers in town in various studios. In fact, I will be putting together my workshop wish list for winter/early spring in the next week.
Tomorrow I’m considering a couple of classes but will wait until morning to decide on which one. Husband has offered to watch Louis, so I want the class time to work for him….it’s a delicate balance.
I have heard stories of women leaving their husbands and children to follow their sadhana, their spiritual path, and while I don’t agree with the level of selfishness one must have to act upon that instinct (and love both too much to ever want to go that far), I sometimes dream of escaping off to India or South America or Africa for some self discovery through travel as I used to do. But then I remember, self discovery is happening right now, right here. I have a responsibility to my family, and that fuels my self discovery….even while sometimes impeding on my asana practice (and sleep). Lights out.
Day 17, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
For the first time since the 30 Day Yoga Challenge began, my energy levels today were lower than normal. My son has been fighting a cold, so maybe that’s taking a toll on me, or maybe it’s the busy work schedule made busier trying to fit in classes that aren’t in my regular practice schedule. Ohh, that sounds like a bit of a moan! Bottom line is today I had to make a choice to do a self practice or to return to Nita’s Iyengar class at Indaba Yoga Studio, where I had just finished giving a Thai massage. Based on the tweaked knee from yesterday’s short stint into ballet (and my fatigue), I went to Nita’s class. It was just what I needed at the time. So, no new teacher, no new studio today, but even more of a reason to get to Kate Walker’s class tomorrow at Triyoga Primrose Hill! Let’s hope the parking Gods are on my side!
And now, here’s to hoping Louis stays asleep tonight.
Learnings from Week 2: Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
This week was dramatically different for me compared to the first week of the challenge. Taking some of my learnings from the first week into consideration, I chose classes that were generally longer in length (2, 2-hour classes, 2, 3-hour workshops), and had one day for self practice which was very meaningful from a more meditative and reflective standpoint. At the end of the second week I feel more fulfilled, more grounded and at the same time expansive. Thanks to all the great teachers who were so generous with their energy and teachings.
I have stuck with studios I know so far, which is partly due to the schedules and proximity and yoga methods I know and enjoy. I’m going to do my best to break out of that habit this week (Evolve is on the schedule for Thursday, and I’m slated to go to a pilates and dance class tomorrow at Tri Chelsea for something totally different!) I have questioned whether or not I should try a Bikram class or a Yotopia class in heat with weights, but I’m not sure what the point would be. I can’t imagine enjoying it, but maybe that’s one of the evolving themes of the challenge, to give new things, and things I have a misconception of, a chance. Stay tuned….
Day 14, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
“Ciao Bella!”
The voice and accent is unmistakably Claudia’s as she enters the studio with laughter that is contagious and ongoing throughout the class; unusual for an Iyengar teacher to say the least. She’s personable, charismatic and funny, but can she teach?
I’ve been to countless classes with Claudia, and I always take away something new. She is precise with her instruction, and while not always easy to follow, sometimes even chaotic, this is in part because Claudia is so tuned in to the students; she is like an eagle constantly reassessing her flight to keep everyone on track. She often uses the students to keep things going, both in demonstrating postural alignment dos and don’ts, and in working together (“Help each other, help each other!”).
Claudia gives all of herself to the students who seem to not only have fun in her class, but to learn a lot along the way. From time to time Claudia shares great, important insights into the Iyengar method of yoga; if only she would repeat these and slow down her speech so the words would be heard and remembered..
Tomorrow I’m going Yin with Norman Blair, who is holding an afternoon workshop at Indaba- a great way to finish week two and begin week three of the challenge. Insights and next week’s schedule coming tomorrow, including visits to a few studios I’ve been dodging the bullet on. Time to own up and really get out of my comfort zone!
Day 13, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
My practice schedule changed today as I was unable to attend Elinore Burke’s Astanga class at the Life Centre, Notting Hill. I did make it to Bridget Stacey Luff’s class at Indaba Yoga Studio where she has been covering Leila Sadahee’s 1:30-3pm class for several weeks.
A small, mixed-level class, Stacey introduced the theme of Saraswati, the goddess of Flow (and knowledge, arts, music, science and technology). She suggested we use the breath to keep flowing throughout the class, and offered us a lovely flowing asana sequence based on her theme.
To accomodate the range of student’s abilities, Stacey gave the class lots of variations and options to increase or decrease the class’ challenge, and we practiced a variety postures such as vrksasana, parsvabakasana, parivtti utkatasana and parivritta hasta padangusthasana.
During savasana Stacey chanted the Anusara invocation, and i was convinced there was an angel in the room. She has an A M A Z I N G voice.
Tomorrow I hope you can join join me for Claudia Dossena’s class at Indaba from 11:15-1:15pm. Happy Friday the Magic 13th!
Day 10, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
It was great to get in an Iyengar class in today at Indaba Yoga Studio. Located around the corner from Marylebone Station, the studios are spacious, the staff easygoing and gregarious. The space is modern and warm, and where it lacks any blatant spiritual images or objects, the teachers and students more than compensate – there is a quality about the people who work and practice here that is genuinely unifying.
My class with Nita Shah at 4-5:30pm was a great general Iyengar class. Nita has a calm presence, at the same time knows how to use her voice to get everyone working. She gave very clear instruction, offered options for those more advanced and more beginner, and was patient, repeating herself as many times as necessary until everyone was listening. We did a few partner exercises that got the group interacting, and she engaged us by posing questions and welcoming comments. What’s more is that she knew the names of all of the students.
Tomorrow I’m off to Triyoga in Primrose Hill for Lara Gate-Eastley’s class, 2-3:30pm. If you’re there, come say hello!
Day 9, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
The domino effect got me today. My nanny arrived late and as a result I arrived to the Life Centre to a full class. After scouring multiple studios’ timetables also taking into considering my own teaching and therapy schedule, I wound up at Indaba for an hour and a half self practice that, in all honestly, was a little slice of heaven.
My own practice varies considerably, but today it was a solid hour Jivamukti vinyasa flow with a lot of hip work, followed by 15 minutes of core strengthening, 15 minutes of chanting and 15 minutes of meditation.
Self-practice was not a part of the challenge to begin with, but I have decided to give myself 2 more self-practice ‘get out of jail free’ cards just in case this happens again….hopefully it won’t, but things are never as in control as they seem, and dominos fall when they may. Svaha!
Tomorrow, Iyengar with Nita Shah at Indaba Yoga Studio, 4-5:30pm.
Week Two Schedule, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
The plan for this week is:
MONDAY: 12:30-2pm Anoushka Boone, the Life Centre, Notting Hill
TUESDAY: 4-5:30pm Nita Shah, Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
WEDNESDAY: 2-3:30pm Laura Gate-Eastley, Triyoga, Primrose Hill
THURSDAY: 11:45-1:45 Richard Agar-Ward, Iyengar Institute, Maida Vale
FRIDAY: 12:30-2pm Elinor Burke, the Life Centre, Notting Hill
SATURDAY: 11:15-1:15pm Claudia Dossena, Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
I would love to practice with you!
Day 8, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
After campaigning for nearly a week to go to the Acroyoga workshop (husband a little resentful of the 30 day challenge at the moment), I arrived 20 minutes late disheveled (those who know me, know how much I dislike being late to a yoga class!). When I walked into the room full of people in sun salutation mode followed by various ‘drills’ with detailed instruction, I was quickly swept up in ‘basing’, ‘spotting’ and ‘flying’; and as the afternoon went on it was apparent how much thought went into the drills and postures we took. Bryony and Anna were completely in-sync with one another, interchanging roles in the demonstrations, threading into each other’s sentences as they explained what the various roles would need to focus on in the postures, and generally being very at ease and at the same time, professional.
There is a huge element of trust in Acroyoga, and as they circulated the room they definitely had a finesse about making people feel comfortable. The workshop was fun, challenging and social. We changed up partners giving everyone a chance to interact, there was a break of 5-10 minutes where people continued to get acquainted, and in general it was a light-hearted afternoon that was completely different than a normal yoga class. I really recommend this to anyone who is open to trying new things with some degree of body awareness and a regular yoga practice.
The next workshop will be in February though the date has not yet been set. For more information you can contact Indaba Yoga Studio
Next up, Pilates with Anoushka Boone at the Life Centre Notting Hill, 12:30-2pm. For the rest of the week’s schedule, see it here…
