I'm pleased with my progress...

...in terms of restraint and in terms of groins/hip flexors. Cow's head pose isn't as difficult as it once was (althouth it's not as easy as it is for other people still...)

I'm still doing modifications and alternate poses so I don't injure my hamstrings even more. It's adding more diversity to my practice to where I don't need to go to as many different kinds of classes - since I'm working on my leg strength & groin flexibility within the class I can now go to 5 days a week.

It looks like I will be able to go to the yoga retreat - which is something I've always wanted to do (since I knew they existed). I'm excited to have time to just relax and work on yoga.

Favorite pose: Cow's head pose, for once. I wanted to stay in it for longer, even.

Least favorite pose: Headstand - since it wasn't as pleasant as it usually is - I was having trouble keeping my legs calm when kicking them up.

Don't know if I'll go tomorrow or not - although I'll probably not go to two hours' worth. Then again, I might, since I don't have Natha.

I'm back to mon/wed/fri for my one class...

...and I'm quite happy. I'm also hopefully going to the yoga retreat listed here - I'll find out sometime next week, I think, whether I can go for sure.

I've been reading those back issues of YJ that I've been stockpiling, and it never fails that they have an article that helps me think through something that's been on my mind in the recent past. I need to start writing in my paper journal so I can delve more instead of retelling the day's events or some odd thought I'd had.

Favorite pose: I liked ustrasana, or camel pose more than usual. Still didn't stay in it a very long time, but felt better while doing it than I have before.

Least favorite pose: utthita trikonasana, or extended triangle pose. Not that I usually particularly like it, I just didn't enjoy it more than I usually don't enjoy it.

I've been finding it harder and harder not to practice in a room with a finished wood floor (namely not carpet) with mirrors so I can see what my body looks like. I like working on balancing poses that way and also being able to check my form on poses where I can't just 'feel' it. I'm not sure what I think about my increasing-dependence on mirrors and hard floors...

I've been having fun...

...with headstands before & after class. I went to my usual class on thursday and did a couple of headstands before class, then had a good class as usual - we did some vinyasa flow yoga and that always is good for me - I don't like it as much if you ask me directly, but it challenges my legs in a good way without just stretching them out. This morning's class was also good - although I had an odd feeling at the end of class in my lower back - like something needed stretched. I did wind-relieving pose to relax my back a bit, then felt good enough to do a headstand. I've gotten a lot better at kicking my legs up so that I keep a fluidity in my movement instead of using the wall too much, too. I'm also experimenting with groin stretches while the class is doing hamstring stretches so that I'm not doing an easier modification, just a different one.

Thursday's class
Favorite pose: Legs-up-the-wall pose during the relaxation portion. I've become a fan of using a blanket under my head, a blanket on my feet, and a beanbag on my eyes. I then do plow over into child's pose to come out and rest after then inversion.

Least favorite pose: Half Lord of the Fishes pose, or Ardha Matsayendrasana It just didn't feel right today - I might have pushed myself into twisting too much, so I'll work on restraint there, too.

Today's class
Favorite pose: My new way of getting down out of Legs-up-the-wall pose - Plow into Child's pose.

Least Favorite pose: Bow pose, or Dhanurasana I barely even attempted it today, I just wasn't feeling it.

I'm looking forward to being able to go back to my classes on monday & wednesday in addition to friday and saturday - then I can do yoga 6 days a week - since I think I'll most likely take sunday off, or at least light if Natha wants to go to family yoga. After next monday, I can go back to that schedule.

There's the 90 minute class tomorrow - hopefully we'll work on headstands tomorrow, too!