Day 11 & 12 2 Business Trips

Made it through day 11 this past Saturday with food poisoning. Thought I was good to go but about an hour 10 in was in rough shape. I did make it through. On Sunday morning I left for a business trip to the central coast. To my dismay there was not a Bikram studio in San Simeon or Cambria. Before I knew it I was 3 days in the hole. I did however take advantage of my time up there and visited the Hearst Castle, a winery, and walked the beautiful beaches with my dog Daisy and Dave my roommate. I got home late Tuesday nite and knew since my coworker had been shipped to Charlotte I was going to have to head south to San Diego for the next few days. I decided I better find a studio and fortunately found one in Encinitas. I went to a 630pm class. So glad to be back on track and giving myself the time my body deserves! To my dismay my boss called and I am being shipped to Charlotte, NC for 10 nights. I decided I would not let this business trip get in the way of my goal and completing the challenge. I will find a hotel near a Bikram studio. Easier said then done. Almost every hotel was sold out due to some basketball conference. I finally found a Sheraton that is within 2 miles of the studio! Mission accomplished! I will be able to practice while I'm there. Pose of the Day: Utkatasana or awkward pose Benefits are: Improves overall body strength, Opens pelvis, Strengthens and tones leg muscles, Relieves menstrual cramping, Reduces fat pocket under buttocks, Aligns skeletal system, Good for arthritis conditions, Good for digestion, Relieves joint pain, Relieves sciatica, Improves flexibility in toes and ankles, Exercises liver, intestines, and pancreas.

Day 10

10 days ladies and gents! I just want to say thank you to each and everyone who has been supportive of my journey. I was not feeling well today. I took my friend Ana to sushi and we both got sick. We have probably eaten there a 100 times. I just thought I wasn't feeling good but told myself you can go to the 430 and you'll be fine. Ana's arm got casted a couple days ago so I told her I would wash and blow out her hair since she can't do it herself. It's crazy how much we rely on our hands. Ana was looking forward to beginning a new fitness regimen and told me when she gets the cast off she would love to try Bikram. She prefers working out in the heat! I am so excited that she has an interest in it. Tonight was rough but I really tried to stay as focused as possible. I almost passed out a few times but worked through it. I knew I didn't feel well but at this point didn't know it was food poisoning. I checked to see how Ana was after class and then she told me she had been getting sick as well. That's when we realized it. I was determined and persevered. We all have challenges everyday but tonight Bikram did make me feel better. Pose of the Day: Utkatasana aka awkward pose Benefits Improves overall body strength Opens pelvis Strengthens and tones leg muscles Relieves menstrual cramping Reduces fat pocket under buttocks Aligns skeletal system Good for arthritis conditions Good for digestion Relieves joint pain Relieves sciatica Improves flexibility in toes and ankles Exercises liver, intestines, and pancreas

Day 9

Early riser has been great for me this week. I left the studio excited about my day since I knew I had to go down to Palos Verdes for work....The weather was fantastic. I met some old friends for lunch and we ate outside at a new Thai restaurant and I just enjoyed the view.....Only problem would be getting back to the dena in a reasonable amount of time. Not only has my body been feeling the benefits from Bikram but I am in such a good mental frame of mind. No road rage! Pose of the day: Ardha Chandrasana with Pada Hastasana aka half moon pose with heads to feet pose. Benefits Works into the whole skeletal and circulatory systems Opens shoulder joints Good for frozen shoulder Reduces or eliminates pain in the lower back Good for abdominal obesity Improves and strengthens every muscle in the central part of the body Increase the flexibility of the spine Tones the spinal nerves and abdominal organs inproving the working of the bowels Increases flexibility and strength of rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, oblique, deltoid and trapezius muscles Helps with sciatic problems Alleviates anxiety and reduces mental stress Stimulates pituitary gland Exercises colon, pancreas, kidneys, muscular, skeletal, respiratory and glandular systems Firms and trims waistline, hips, abdomen, buttocks and thighs

Ocho Dia!

Once again, I made it to the 630am....believe it or not! Y Thuan is motivating! I have really been enjoying walking to and from the studio everyday. Great mental preparation and I can unwind before I start my day. So as promised daily posture focus...Pranayama...aka standing deep breathing. there are several benefits: Good for lungs and respiratory system Helps with mental relaxation Helps high blood pressure Relieves irritability Good for detoxification Exercises nervous, respiratory and circulatory systems The breathing can be tricky and is something I am trying to master I really want to enjoy the benefits! The one thing I will tell you is today I had massive traffic and if it wasn't for Bikram I would have probably been a road rage queen.....So getting up and giving myself the time I deserve....huge win through the whole day...Winner winner chicken dinner! I went to the movies tonite and saw In Time...it really makes you think! I also have been trying to continue my new years resolution by cooking at least one new thing per week! I made an awesome chicken sausage pasta with red onion, yellow peppers, spinach, asparagus, red peppers with lots of garlic! So yummy and so colorful! I'm trying to get all my veggies in everyday and laying off the sauce.....no alcohol! Friends have been noticing my checkins on foursquare and I have 2 more wanting to come to give Bikram a try....This made my day! See you guys in class mañana!

Day 7

Day 7 and still going strong...I have to say this mornings 630am  class with Jennie put me in a fantastic mood!! Plus I wasn't stressed out about making it to a class all day!  So I'm gonna do my best to get there when I can.  Since I'm a newbie  I decided that I need to really focus on one pose every day.  I really want to learn this new craft and plan on having a pose of the day here on my blog.  This will help me focus more on me then having to think oh yeah its this one.  I had a successful morning almost no dizziness.  I made it through all the standing poses without having to take a seat.  One victory at a time!  Eye of the tiger baby!  Attitude is everything.....sweat your ass off....endorphins guaranteed to follow.  U can do it!!!

Day 6

I tried going to bed early last night.  I wanted to go to the early am class.  11pm, 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am!!!  The game going over and over again in my head!  I decided I would go to the South bay for work and then come to the 430pm.  I love Val's classes anyhow.  I was so tired and fatigued today.  I felt beat down.  The superbowl loss had set in but I know I need to push on and give my body the time it deserves.  My 2pm conference call and my boss was nowhere to be found!!! Then I get a call at 3:15pm Kara we are gonna do the call at 4...oh no you didn't....I am not missing my 4:30pm yoga class.  I did the call til 4:18pm and he was basically done hung up and got my spot.  I cannot let today pass me by.  Mission is get to get through this class period  you can sleep later turn that frown upside down.....Mission accomplished!  I was starting to be able to lock my left knee today.  Val was very supportive.  I am learning new things and pushing myself every single day.  I gotta believe and I do!  Off to burbank airport I head to pick up Carly and I just want to thank her for being supportive of me every single day.  So Thanks love you!!!

Day 5

Made sure I signed up online for the 10am class and got there early since its Super Bowl Sunday.  My Team the Patriots played.  My heart was broken in 2 tonite when we came up short.  I am so proud of my team to have gotten there it is so hard to do.  We just weren't the best team this year.  Hats off to NY.  I wanted my team to win for Myra Kraft the owners wife who lost her battle to cancer right before the season began.  Myra was an amazing women and she dedicated her life to philantrophy.  Honoring her legacy this season was done on every single down.  The players wore the MHK patches on their uniforms and you would get the chills when they would score and hit the patch on their chests.  Anytime one of my teams have been in the playoffs I am crazy nervous have anxiety but not this time.  Bikram saved me from that.  When we lost in '07 I was on crutches and about to get my acl/mcl surgery.  I did not get out of bed until 5pm the next day.  My attitude is so different this time around.  I know I will make to class and work on Monday no matter what.  Bikram puts a smile on my face and everyday I am getting healthier.   

Day 4

Body is pretty sore today but I know it's slowly but surely changing. I went to Jeff's 10am this morning. I really enjoyed his class but had some struggles. I met Sara this morning. Today was her first day and she is coming to Bikram to improve her breathing and flexibility. She had the nerves all of us experience when we first walk through those doors like it's the 1st day of school. I let her know how supportive each and everyone is. I had knee surgery on my right knee and thought my right leg would create more challenges. I have been realizing that my left leg doesn't want to lock. I am intrigued by this because my surgically repaired knee seems to cooperating. Odd but who knows. Acl / Mcl surgery is not something I wish on my worst enemy. Tomorrow my focus is going be on locking my left knee and working on my balance. In my mind the left knee should be the stronger one but I have learned it's the weaker. See everyone tomorrow in class.

Day 3

Day 3 of the challenge..and what a day it was.  As of today I have been doing Bikram for one week.  This was my fifth class all together.  It has been a very interesting journey to this point.  Day one: I got pretty nauseas and dizzy...ralphed an hour and 15 in.  Day two: Did a little better made it through the class without leaving the room had my moments where I needed to take a seat.  Day 3: felt great body was starting to adjust was in the zone once or twice I needed to take a seat.  Day 4: for some reason I had a rough day tried not to beat myself up and told myself tomorrow is a new day but I made it through the class...Day 5: goal was to try to get through the standing poses without taking a seat..mission accomplished.  I was so excited I now know slowly but surely each and every day I will learn new things and will keep pushing myself.  Brook is a fantastic teacher I really enjoyed her class.  My focus on me today was different which I really enjoyed.  I have decided during the challenge while a lot of the toxins are exiting my body I will refrain from a lot of the indulgences.  Alcohol and sweets are gonna have to take a back seat.  I cooked a pretty awesome dinner tonight.  I baked off a rosemary balsamic chicken with sauteed purple top turnips with red onion and panchetta and steamed some broccoli with lemon.  Since I made it through week one my treat to myself  was a 90 minute massage with Avo.  He has always wanted to try Bikram and will start up in a couple weeks.  He is currently finishing up a boot camp at the Rosebowl.  He was so excited and proud of me!  I know he will be a welcome addition to our community.  Val gave me a huge hug today and this made my day.  I believe in Bikram!  I believe in me and you.  See you guys in class tomorrow. -K

Day 2

Today for some reason was a struggle for me...Shannon was an excellent teacher.  Yesterday I was in the zone...today balance was off...I was slipping which was odd and nauseous at times.  Shannon said it best today the toxins are coming out of my body and we all have good and bad days.  Cheers to the good and bad....I will push on and keep going...and I tell you what even though today was a struggle I got through it...so when your having an off day just think Kara is cheering you on....you can do it.  I took the train to Staples this evening and went to the Clippers game.  A smiling face ran in and sat down on the blueline across from me as the doors shut she had just made it!  She smiled and said, "How is your day?"  I smiled right back and said, "Great yours?"  Her answer, "Amazing!"   At this point I had a grimace on my face because struggle or not  today was a good day.  I took the time for me and tomorrow will be a better day.   The Clips got smoked unfortunately but the half time show was what intrigued me  There was this amazing performer her name was Sasha she balanced Cirque Du Soleil style and shot a bow and arrow using her feet!!  Her athleticism, strength and balance was ninja like....And then they blind folded her and she hit the bulls eye!  And yes she was balancing and did it with her feet!  So I decided right then and there that I will be using my inner Sasha tomorrow.  So next time your having tough day use your inner Sasha!

Today was day one of the 60 challenge and I am so glad I decided to do it.  I went to the 9am class this morning and my body felt pretty good today overall.  This was my 3rd class overall for bikram yoga...so signing up for the 60 day challenge took a lot of courage.  I know this will do a lot of good for me.  My health has not been the best and I know this will help me in so many different ways.  I know it will improve my thyroid condition.  I suffer from hypothyroidism. My strength and flexibilty will improve.  It also is such a great way to decompress and have me time...which we all deserve.  Everyone has been so kind to me and encouraging.  So I just want to say thank you to the other students as well as instructors.  The encouragement and support is motivating.  I look forward to my transformation and am excited to learn and challenge my body everyday.  I know this will be an amazing experience for everyone.