You'll Feel It Tomorrow

The feeling is starting to return to my arms. It's a burning feeling but feeling nonetheless...

After the warm-up, Marisa pointed towards the whiteboard and said that the workout was self-explanatory - pretty simple or something like that. And the words were pretty clear-cut.

50.....................Swings, squats, push-ups
40
30
20
10

Chip did require clarification but I saw the glint in Marisa's eyes and knew what she was up to.

50 swings
50 squats
50 push-ups

40 swings
40 squats
40 push-ups. etc. etc.

Since Tiffany, "A-Rod" and Megan were the pacesetters, as usual, I never made it to 10 but 120 two-hand swings were enough for me.

Next up was the kettlebell clean and press.

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Marisa told the newbie that she was going to feel it in her shoulders tomorrow.

Newbie: I'll feel it tomorrow? How about now?

I got in 98 cleans and presses before the pacesetting crew finished the set.

Next, we hit the floor for side planks with a reach. Rocking side planks. Static planks. Planksplanksplanks... Russian twists...

Marisa was tickled that she saw one picture of the yoga event at Busch Stadium and I was it. She wanted to show me the picture that had been shared on Facebook but I had seen it and didn't need to see it again.  It's a picture that I wish didn't exist because I can see the weight that I've gained but as I told Hazira today -- it's not the end of the world. I just need to batten down the hatches and reassess my food intake.

Marisa also asked me why I practiced yoga but she pretty much knew that it was for mind and body. I also told her that yoga felt particularly good the day after kettlebell practice...

Cindy emailed me a link to the video below. I forgot how beautiful kettlebells can look in the hands of an experienced swinger.

A Little Moody...Monday Comedy Break

Saw Moody McCarthy one night while channel flipping.

I love his bit on organic peanut butter at 2:45...

There's A Balance Goddess!

My family pretty much thinks that I lost my mind long time ago. And rock climbing? Icing on the crazy cake.

However, my mother just told me, matter-of-factly, about a boulderer on Rock Center and I think it's pretty cool that she knows that bouldering is different from top rope climbing. Check out this 11-year-old who climbs with joy...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I was on Twitter yesterday having a conversation about Cirque du Soleil when the Balance Goddess chimed in. What, there's a Balance Goddess? I told her (Lara Jacobs Rigolo) that yogis love Balance Goddesses and Lara said that she loves yogis.



Speaking of balance, I had to find a film in the opposite corner of In the Land of Blood and Honey so I watched Ready? Ok!, a sweet little movie with a sweet little message.



Salud to Friday!

Go Brown...

I've had several people tell me about Weight of the Nation including a friend who immediately started eating better and exercising again. I thought that I wouldn't be able to see Weight...until it came out on DVD but I went looking for the trailer and found out that you can watch it online. Thank you HBO...

I'm watching the first part, Consequences, right now and having major buffering issues. At first, I thought it was my computer but Netflix is streaming just fine.

So far, I like the man who said that the kind of food that we eat is the kind of food that's most profitable. I was on Twitter earlier in the day and someone had a similar sentiment and tweeted that the foods you see advertised on TV are not the ones you want to eat.

A doctor told his patient with a new diagnosis of high blood pressure and borderline diabetes to go brown. He told her no more white rice, potatoes or white bread but, instead, to incorporate wheat pasta, wheat bread etc.

Can't wait to watch the rest and hope the whole buffering situation straightens out.



Also saw this video on NBC Nightly News about height loss in women. Since I'm 5'3, I have no interest in losing height so I'll just keep on keeping on.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Always Ready for Child's Pose

Not only did I sleep until almost noon yesterday but I also couldn't keep my eyes open past 10:30. I slept so much that I didn't have a problem making it to kettlebell class this a.m. where Marisa went for the soft kill. Instead of 10 minute circuits, she threw five minute ones at us with the same result: a beat down a very good workout.

Marisa showed us some burpee trifecta situation. You do a burpee, squat thruster and something else.

Marisa: How did you like that?

Me: Anything that starts with burpee is not good.

Marisa: I like burpees.

Me: Freak...

Kinda regretted saying freak but I think Marisa knew that I was joking...

I love it when Barbara goes into child's pose during a break; it looks so inviting. I told Barbara that it made me think of one of my yoga instructors who said, "When you're ready to go into child's pose..." When I'm ready? I'm always ready for child's pose...

Marisa showed me how to do the high pull and I'm definitely going to need more practice. I think about stuff way too much and hesitation doesn't work with the high pull.

...Dreams Are Made of This

Attended a celebration for refugees and this woman from Afghanistan talked about learning English, getting a job and buying a house. Her advice to new arrivals: eat healthy, work hard and keep learning...I thought it was so cute that her advice began with eat healthy. Not so cute are the words that stick in my head from a news segment when this woman, also from Afghanistan, said People who have something to eat don't care about those who do not...


A young man from the Congo, who spent time in Gabon before heading to the States, said similar things about learning English, getting a job and war in his country. He also said that his siblings were everything to him. His advice to new arrivals: stay positive and focused...


I don't normally exercise on Fridays but I have to work tomorrow which meant that I would miss Hot Yoga and the next opportunity would be on Wednesday. In order to prevent jonesing for Hot Yoga, I decided to go directly from work to the studio. Whew! I went home for lunch, grabbed towel one, towel two, dri-wick workout clothes, a change of clothes, dried pears and contact solution et al. My unwashed mat was still in the car so no need to grab it.


In the meantime, I had an internal dialogue with myself about why I go to Hot Yoga. I like yoga. I like a challenge. I like to sweat. Yoga has done amazing things for my body and mind.  Therefore, ergo...


I had not anticipated rush hour traffic complicated by baseball traffic, had to take a detour and almost turned around because I didn't think I would make it on time. I'm so glad that I did not turn around.


I've been going to Hot Yoga since December and I don't think that I've enjoyed a class as much as the one today. Maybe my attitude was more playful -- a tactic that Cindy suggests especially during the standing poses.


There were two things that stuck with my brain. Cindy reminded us that it's our practice and to do or to not do asanas. At the halfway point, as we hugged our knees to our chests, she said to give ourselves some reassurance which also turned into try a little tenderness for me. I felt amazing after class... and I felt lifted.

Chip's Song

Barely made it to kettlebell class. Nothing new there. Ate spoonfuls of oatmeal while getting dressed then made my exit. On the way, silently talked to myself about the art of gutting out a tough workout.

Me: I can't believe that Chip's not here.

Marina: He talked for the entire time last class.

Me: Oh, you took care of him.

Marina: He left here in good health.

Ha ha, that's totally something that an immigrant, gangster or gangster immigrant would say.

As we warmed up with jumping jacks, mountain climbers and other jacks and whatnot, I was out of breath and wondered how someone who exercises so much can get fatigued five minutes into a 60 minutes class but I guess that fatigue happens even when you're in shape.

We started off with a ten minute circuit:

Two Hand Swings

Right Hand Swings

Left Hand Swings

Alt. Tactical Lunges

Forearm Plank

Around the Body with a Catch

Squat, Curl, Press, Triceps...

Right Row

Left Row

Hand-to-Hand Swings

Bottoms Up Press

I'm pretty sure that I've left out many things but you get the picture. I was so happy when Marisa talked to the newbies so that I could catch my breath. After that circuit, we concentrated on the Turkish Get-Up and practiced in stages because of said newbies and we practiced a lot.

Marisa finally left two of us to our own devices to execute Get-Ups. By the time I got to my left side,  fatigue had set in. Marisa noticed and made me focus: Andrea, keep it pretty. I wasn't feeling much like one but when I'm a Ninja came on, I was like -- Oh, that's Chip's song...

And, apparently, it's not just Chip's song because I kind of dig it but I don't think this song is it because it sounds pretty different from the one that Mike has on his play list. Want me to sing it for you? I'm a ninja; I'm a ninja. I'm...I'm...I'm...I'm a ninja.

Trouble From The Get-Go

My climbing has been so infrequent that this toddler has better moves than I do.



I love the way that the toddler dismisses the toys. She also has a pretty nice drop knee...

Cindy and Val joined Patti and me for a climbing outing and, now, they're able to scratch rock climbing off of their bucket lists. They did so well and had a lot more stamina than I did on my first time out.

Val Ascending Her Very First Route

Summit Consultation

I was proud of myself as well because I decided to climb a route that I knew was trouble from the get-go. I would say that it owned me and I did say as much when I came down but it didn't since I hung in there and ascended the route even though it took me countless attempts.

Had an opportunity to scratch anything off of your bucket list lately?

The Other Side of the Thai Pads

Got paired with someone taking their first boxing class and when she got tuckered out, Lee held the Thai pads for me.

Did I mention how I love it when Lee is on the other side of Thai pads?

I know that Lee won't teeter or weeble wobble.

I kicked like someone had made me very angry. I kicked as if my life depended on it and I kicked like I was in a contest. It felt right and rhythmical.

After sparring, we shadowboxed and jumped rope. My left calf was like I thought we agreed not to do this anymore.

Lee says that he's been taking pumpkin seed oil and he hasn't been bothered with calf cramps since.

As I left, Lee told me that my hip rotation and kicks are much better. It'll only be a matter of time before your hips open up. Ah, the things that a boxing instructor says...

I limped out of class and headed to yoga hoping to work out the kink in my calf.

Kettlebell Lockdown

I've been skimming through Kettlebell for Dummies and came to this part:

Whenever you travel with your kettlebell in your car, no matter the distance, you need to secure it because an unsecured kettlebell could easily become a dangerous projectile. The easiest way to do so is to give your bell its own seat and strap the seat belt through the handle to secure it. (39)

Usually, I put my kettlebell in the trunk but also put it in the backseat. I was a little bit amused by securing the kettlebell until I remembered reading in Tina Turner's autobiography, I think, about a musician who got impaled by his saxophone.

Yeah, it's all fun and games until...

My new passenger:


Got to the studio this morning and Chip said We have a new teacher for the remedial class. What to say? Chip likes to amuse. He's definitely jovial and reminds me of Rodney Dangerfield. Another classmate said that Chip reminds her of Don Knotts' character on The Andy Griffith Show.

Lauren subbed for Marisa and class was a bit disjointed as Lauren tried to deal with people who were taking their first kettlebell class and others who have more experience.

Lauren pretty much told me that the only way to get better at the clean is to keep *practicing. She also reminded me to make sure that I did the same hip snap that I'm doing while engaging in other maneuvers. She also introduced us to the windmill which I did on one side then forgot where I should place my feet. Barbara turned to me and said It's like triangle pose.

Me: Oh.




*Guess I should reference Saturday's post and, simply, exchange yoga for kettlebell.

The Push Back Kick

Went to a new kickboxing class courtesy of a Groupon deal. Not sure that the nerves are worth the deal but, really, I've yet to run into an unfriendly bunch at a fitness center -- think it has something to do with endorphins.

The instructor, Lee, said that it's better to be in your bare feet although some people don't like to take off their shoes. I quickly took off my Nike and socks because I do like to exercise sans shoes.

To warm up, we did shadow boxing and I felt a little self-conscious. Next, we paired up with a partner. One person holds training mitts while the other executes a combination that Lee calls out. Oh wow, my wrists took a bit of a beating at first. It feels more real having someone swing at you even if they're swinging at your mitts.

Lee told me to hit harder and then he had me look at a woman in class who was making thunderous sounds as she connected with the training mitts. I felt like I was going to hurt my partner and couldn't really let go. Same thing with the push back kick. I felt so unbelievably rude kicking at someone and pushing them back and, yet, it also felt good.

At the end of class, Lee had us get down on the floor. Our mission? To hold a plank to failure. I felt pretty good about my plank tonight. I have Hot Yoga to thank for plank preparedness. Our other mission, should our plank fail, was to do crunches until Lee told us to stop. My poor abs are still tender.

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.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Couldn't decide what exercise I wanted to engage in. Initially, I had my mind set on swimming and Hot Yoga tomorrow. Patti, who is usually unavailable on Wednesday, is available which means that I cannot do Hot Yoga and climb on Wednesday but if I shifted Hot Yoga to today then no swimming opportunity until the weekend.

When I arrived home from work, I felt so cold -- perfect circumstances for Hot Yoga but I also felt lethargic. Did I have the stamina to make it through 26 yoga poses done twice in a room that would be around 100 degrees? I looked at the poses and just looking at them wore me out.

Patti actually helped me out and made me laugh by sharing her schedule:

Monday is good for climbing OR HY.
Tuesday is good for climbing OR HY.
Wednesday is good for babysitting
Thursday is good for climbing OR HY.
Friday is good for climbing.
Saturday is good for climbing OR HY.
Sunday is good for climbing OR HY.

After I ate, I felt less sluggish and I started singing -- a true indicator that I'm feeling better. I just can't figure out why I sing sad Aretha songs even when I feel well.

I went swimming and I'm glad that I did. Now, if I can just figure out what I'm going to do tomorrow...



And can't get this song out of my head...

He's On A Boat

Went to Kettlebell 101, got in the room at 8:59 and saw that the class size had exploded.

I went to my usual spot in the room next to my usual person, Barbara, that I stand next to as Mike started counting. There would be no running around the room to warm-up -- too many bodies.

As I came down off of a jumping jack, my left calf seized up. I thought it was the beginning of a charlie horse, stepped out to massage it but, no, I pulled it or something.

My plans for this week will definitely have to be revised:

Monday: Kickboxing + Gentle Yoga OR Climbing (Depending on Patti's schedule)
Tuesday: Swimming (or, possibly, climbing if no climbing on Monday)
Wednesday: Kickboxing or Hot Yoga -- (depending on decision abt climbing)
Thursday: Hot Yoga (Depending on Monday and Wednesday's Schedule)
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: Hot Yoga and Swimming
Sunday Kettlebell + ???

Ah, the best laid plans of mice and 'Drea; there will be no climbing or kicking in my future this week.

There were so many people in class that Mike kept the newbies in one room while the rest of us went into Studio B. I heard him mention the clean but Mike reassured us that the people who had been training with him for years could offer assistance.

So, the elder stateswomen of kettlebell were in charge. Someone went to hit play on an iPod or CD player and I'm On A Boat came on. I won't tell you which words I Googled to find this song.



We were all like "oh my..." So, yeah, I don't listen to the radio much because I've never heard of this song...

I was okay with the swinging until we got to the clean. When Julie stepped out of our huge circle, I knew that she was headed in my direction. Julie advised me not to start the clean from a deadlift position which I did because I've been watching this video.



See, I cannot be left alone with videos. Julie also tried to show me how to transition from one arm to the other while doing the clean. I'm hoping that, one day, the clean will become second nature.

After class, I thanked Julie for her pointers. She was pushing a boxing bag onto the floor and getting ready to take Mike's boxing class. I was just ready to collapse and nurse my calf...

Oh yeah, there was this one guy who had a kettlebell about the size of a bowling ball. While we did the clean, I couldn't help but notice his exquisite arms.

Turn Around and Sit On Your Asana

Usutally, after Hot Yoga, I look forward to the next session because, somehow, my selective memory kicks in. I forget about the horrors of the chair pose sequence -- raising your chest off your legs for five breaths then getting your arms up by your ears and holding that position.

I forget about the sequence of yogi sit-up, rolling over to plank, yogi sit-up. I forget...

When Crystal, Patti and I are unable to go together we swap notes about our sessions. I told them that I felt like I had turned a corner on Wednesday when I attended Cindy's class. I also told them that it's really funny that I feel like I've turned a corner because I struggle with so many of the poses: standing head to knee, half tortoise, eagle and camel.

But I also mentioned to them that maybe this was one of the biggest corners of all to have turned: enjoying Hot Yoga despite not being mega-accomplished. That and, you know, resisting the urge to stand in mountain pose during the whole class.

At the end of that stomach to back sequence of planks, sit-ups et al., Jeremy told us to turn around and sit on our asanas. Ah, yogi humor; I love it. That's why I still have a Yoga and Spa magazine with an ad from a local studio. It says: we hope to see your asana at our new location...

Just read this article the other day about yoga and burning calories. Thought it was accurate and I think this video, Shit Yogis Say, is hilarious:

I Need Some Fake Exercises or (More) Gospel from Hazira, A Special Friday Night Birthday Edition

How do I take care of these (thighs)?

I'm not doing anything that hurts.

I need some fake exercises.

That's so Bosnian...

You'll be talking to your organs soon.

Hazira to me re: my increasing interest in acupressure et al.

The heart sends out the strongest waves...

I'm telling you; it's all about balance.*

I wouldn't wish someone's mother dying in another country on my worst enemy.

Something is going to please you.

After I put my coat on backwards...

I am so impressed with those people who never give up.


Commentary while watching Conviction.

Rugala Se Ruga Pa Postala Druga.

Rough translation: You become what you laugh at... Hazira made this comment after I told her that I had bought four boxes of Annie's Homegrown Bunnies and almond butter not realizing that I already had reserves at home. I usually chuckle at her impressive food inventory.

Please call my soul cell.

Freudian slip?

And the class will have lots of civil people and you like civil people.

Hazira after I told her that I was thinking about taking a Healing Touch class.

*Balance is the key to optimal mental health. Dr. Miranda Baten on The Erica Hill Experiment

Drawing the Yoga Nazi Straw

Had a little jones going on for Hot Yoga because I hadn't been since Monday. Walked in, saw Jeremy i.e. The Yoga Nazi and made peace with that.

As class started and I tried to get my drishti on, I saw Patti smiling in the mirror and that made me giggle. Luckily, I was able to rein in the giggling. At least I didn't bring my cell phone to class and forget to turn it off. Dang thing rang three different times and Jeremy was like and that's why we turn our cell phones off.

The humidity was extra high. Sweat rolled off of all parts of my body and really dripped from my elbows. As I picked up my hand towel Jeremy said, Not to single anyone out but try not to wipe the sweat away unless it's rolling into your eyes. He laughed and I smiled...

I had to go into hero pose a couple of times to rest and I had to back off of camel pose because I thought that I might vomit. At that point, couldn't believe that I had the nerve to have jonesed for Hot Yoga.

As we went from yogi sit-up to plank to decoy savasana, Jeremy asked us to get back in control of our breathing. When you control your breathing, you control your mind and heart. Let's get some control.

And I did get control again...And Jeremy? He wasn't too bad today.

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...

Hot Yoga Eve

Well, actually, it's not the eve of hot yoga since I went today but that's what Patti called it as we reached the end of our countdown.

I'm not quite sure when I agreed to try hot yoga because I don't really like a lot of heat but figured that I could survive a hot yoga class if I was able to survive Las Vegas in July.

The Yoga Nazi teacher introduced himself then handed down the rules and the one that sticks out the most is that once class started, you were not allowed to alter the aura by leaving the room.

I seldom take a shine to anything of a mandatory nature so I just filed that away. Other rules included:

No talking in class

No cell phones (applause) etc. etc.

No intake of water in the middle of a pose

If you get tired, assume the position on your knees and gaze...

Eyes open (with exception of Savasana) at all times

I decided to wear my green t-shirt made out of bamboo and my sole pair of official yoga pants and they worked beautifully.

I managed to find myself at the front of the room and I survived that too.

Even in regular yoga class, I can't manage Eagle and it was definitely unmanageable since I was completely slick with sweat. In the end, my shoulders are way too tight for this move. And Standing Head to Knee pose? Yeah, that didn't work for me either.

As we did yogic sit-ups and planks, I tried to gauge what time it was and was so relieved when the 1.5 hours was up.

We went into Savasana and the teacher said that we should hold the pose for three to five minutes. I've never had a yoga teacher walk out during Savasana but today was the day. What happened to holding the space? That's something that Madonna did beautifully in Candlelight Restorative Yoga. Or, since Hot Yoga is kind of hardcore, should I not expect the teacher to hold the space?

You Haven't Done Child's Pose Until

As I was driving away from the rock climbing gym, I second-guessed my decision to head to yoga. It was dark, raining, yaddayaddayadda.

I have two visits left on a group coupon and since Yoga Wall is on hiatus, I decided to try Candlelight Restorative Yoga.

I walk in and about seven women were already on the floor. Some of them looked as if they were about to give birth.

I rolled out my mat and it looked completely jadan. The teacher, Madonna, quickly came over since I have a tendency to stick out. She gathered props for me: a strap, eggs, blocks, a blanket, a bolster and eye bag.

Madonna assembled some props and asked me to put my back to the bolster. I put the soles of my feet together and put the strap at my back then over my head and, finally, around my feet. The eggs supported my knees and I reclined with an eye bag. It was like reverse Savasana and Madonna did ring a bell to bring us out of each pose. She told me ahead of time that they usually hold one pose for about 10 minutes.

Next, we did Crocodile. Most of the props were moved to the side except for the bolster which we placed our ribs on while placing our foreheads on an egg.

After Crocodile, we put our legs up on the wall and put our eye bags back in place. The bags, by the way, smelled divine.

At some point, we did Child's Pose by placing the bolster at our knees then laying on it. Amazing. I felt like it was the first time that I've gotten the full benefit of the pose. As I was in Child's Pose, I thought Yoga, where have you been for most of life?

During class, Madonna came around to massage feet, legs and shoulders -- the shoulders with some mentholy situation. I know that the massage and yoga communities are intertwined but I'm not sure where the whole massage during yoga comes from. Never mind. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?

We did Savasana and Madonna preambled by saying that it was the most important pose. After we came out of Savasana, we ended the class with three "Om's." Madonna's got some pipes on her. After "Om," you know what came next:

Namaste