I Am At The Helm

I narrowed my exercise choices to Zumba and yoga but didn’t really feel like jumping into a new adventure so I nixed Zumba but had to look for a yoga class that I don’t normally go to because there wasn't a class that I wanted to attend at my regular gym.

It’s often unnerving to walk into a new situation but I went anyway. Fast forward to savasana -- tears started to roll. I’m definitely in a weird space right now.

As I drove away, I felt such intensity in my throat -- as if a sock was in there or a boa constrictor around it. Interesting since I went to a mindfulness workshop yesterday. I found what the therapist said about the throat chakra very interesting. I can’t remember what she said exactly but it was something about the throat chakra being the gateway between the heart and brain.

Release...and relief. My lower back was tight and, now, it’s not; I think I have bow pose to thank for that.

Now that I think about it, we did this Breath of Fire situation at the beginning of class and I've never done it before and wasn't comfortable with it either. Almost feel like if someone initiates the Breath of Fire, it's kind of like doing Reiki and permission should be asked first. I want to say that I was not at the helm but it is my yoga practice and I should have not participated in the exercise if I didn't feel comfortable. At any rate, I think BOF might have contributed to the sensation in my throat.

They Make You Feel Strong...Introducing Kelli

Kelli's Strong Back...A Kettlebell Perk

It was just a matter of time before I asked Kelli if I could take pictures (and ask a few questions) because I love it when she does post-kettlebell asanas and I really love it when she lifts into bow pose.

In addition to admiring Kelli's asanas, I also admire her fierceness. There were times when I staggered or whined from fatigue and wanted to stop swinging my kettlebell but knew that if I looked in Kelly's direction, I'd get inspired to dig deeper...

'Drea: How long have you been practicing kettlebell?

Kelli: I have been practicing kb for almost 2 years. I started it as something to do in the fall/winter and to add to running and playing Camogie for strength/weight training. I have since developed a tendon injury in my ankle (40 years of playing sports finally got to me) and I cannot really run anymore and have stuck with it. It is great cardio and little/no impact. I also really gravitate towards group fitness classes.

'Drea: What's your favorite kettlebell move?

Kelli: Do you really have to ask this one? Turkish Get Up and the snatch. :)

'Drea: What's been the most challenging kettlebell maneuver?

Kelli: It took me forever to really become good at the snatch. I am not sure if it was that I really had a deficient muscle group or whatever but it was so frustrating! It is one of the best exercises and really important to be good at for a good practice.

'Drea: How long have you been practicing yoga?

Kelli: Regular forms of yoga on on off for a very long time but last December I did my 1st Bikram class in FL with my sister-in-law and didn't hate it or die from it. :) I kept going and continued when I got back to St. Louis, 1st with Bikram but then moved to Prana for their Hot classes and have been going there since. I love it there! Awesome teachers and a great facility.

Kelli in Bow Pose

'Drea: What's your favorite pose?

Kelli: Um, I would say my "best" poses are the Spine Strengthening Series and anything with flexibility like Standing Separate Leg or Standing Separate Head to Knee but my favorites are the Triangle/Warrior type poses I think, they make you feel strong. My least favorite is Salabhasana/Locust, I fight that one big time. :)

'Drea: Any particular Olympic event capturing your attention?

Kelli: I am an Olympic junky winter/summer, I watch it all. It is fun to see crazy sports you never see any other time (luge/bobsled, rowing, archery, fencing, etc) but I find myself watching sports I played a lot also...there is nothing I won't watch!

Garudasana Standstill

It usually makes me feel better to acknowledge something that is bothering me so I'm just going to go ahead and put it out there: I hate eagle pose and I feel like my body wasn't made to intertwine like that.

When I saw these "cookies" over at Yoga Spy's blog, it made me smile; now, that's what you call having a playful attitude towards a pose but, if you notice, none of the cookies are doing eagle. Of course, I see the contradiction but I'm making up my own rule: have a playful attitude when approaching poses except for when it comes to eagle. I can make up my own rules, right?



Yesterday, the humidity was high as all get out in Hot Yoga. At one point, the teacher, Val, walked by me and I felt a breeze. I kept hoping that she would walk by again and again.


If it helps, imagine air circulating in your lower back. Val said that after bow pose as we were supposed to breathe into our lower backs but let me tell you, Val, imagination does not help after bow...


Speaking of saying things, I'm almost reluctant to mention this because I don't want to jinx it but since I've been going to Hot Yoga on a regular basis, my contact dermatitis has been dormant. Coinkydink???

Watch the Breath Go In...Watch the Breath Go Out...

Things that I thought about before Hot Yoga:

Whatever you’re feeling in your head, your body is going to follow.

Bob Harper told one of his trainees that on The Biggest Loser and, of course, this Cindyism also popped into my head:

Don't let your mind write stories.

This newbie with asthma wanted to dip her toes into the sweat drenched studio that is Hot Yoga but was concerned so I got one more thing to think about when Dr. B told her, among other things:

Don't anticipate anything bad.

I still got my butt kicked.

I saw this tweet earlier by Bikram Yoga North Texas:

Have you had your 90 minute moving meditation today? Come sweat with us.

I like the concept of moving meditation...

At one point during class, Jeremy said: Watch the breath go in. Watch the breath go out.

Why, oh why, did that remind me of Otis Redding's Sitting on The Dock of the Bay?

Jeremy also said something very simple but helpful during bow pose. He said to push your feet into your hands. Prior to that, I've felt like my thighs were stuck in quicksand. That's not to say that they were all that elevated after his comment but I was definitely able to lift them...a little.

You Should Be Your Tallest Self

Got to experience another teacher besides Jeremy and she (Cindy, I think) was a tad bit less intense.

This is my third Hot Yoga outing and, while I still sweat, my body is not the rainforest that it was on the first try.

Here's a sampling of the coaching that went on:

Just melt.

There was no pun intended by the instructor and, really, after bow pose, you really do want to melt into the mat.

During the decoy savasana, we were told:

Eyes open. I'll tell you when to close your eyes.

After our brief savasana, we went into plank and that was intense. Crystal implored us to stay there though.

This is 60 seconds out of a 90 minute class...

As we held a rather intense chair pose and rose but only lifting our upper bodies off of our knees.

Leave your lower body where it's at.

During tree pose, we were told -- knee to the side, crown reaching toward the ceiling and shoulder back:

You should be your tallest self...

I did feel pretty tall and majestic in my alignment.


After class, Patti said We're thinking about going climbing this afternoon. After I closed my mouth, I said: Let me know...