The scale was broken! 10/23/04

I keep mentioning that my weight has not changed for close to a year. Therefore my fact content doesn't change a whole lot, either. However I look somewhat slimmer than one year ago for sure. This semester, I am making cardio exercise number one priority, but my weight hasn't budged. Maybe there was a reason. Today the scale in the locker room had a big yellow sign said "OUT OF ORDER". So after all, I am losing weight?!?

Today was supposed to be... 10/21/04

Eric teaches power yoga in Rio Rancho gym also and his "intro" class is increasingly feeling like an ultimate power yoga class at TVI, too. Today we had series of side plank, star pose (different from what I know. You lift the top leg from side plank) and of course, plank, hover, downward dog and so forth. It was so rigorous and I had to say, "Today was supposed to be my arm rest day!". Then he went on to series of high lunge poses, layout lunge (arms straight), twisted prayer and toe lifting up version of each all over again. So I said, "Today was supposed to be my leg rest day!". Both statements are kind of true. I did my legs yesterday and have planned to do my back and tricep tomorrow. I should be resting arms for tomorrow and working on legs today is not productive. So at the end when we did some ab strengthening pose, I said, "Ah, today was my ab rest day!" This wasn't true. I went to the gym after the class and worked on my ab. He says his power yoga class has a lot less rest. I thought about visiting after the semester is over. So far I can't go because of my classes. But should I...?

Practicing yoga in the dog's presence 10/20/04

I am a basic morning person who is suffering from teaching night classes. So after my own class on Monday and Wednesday, if I go to Will's class, I am home around 9:30. This is really not the ideal schedule for a morning person. I thought I can't practice yoga at home because of my dog. She is some kind of lab mix, very hyper and peppy and she jumps on me and licks my hands while I am trying to do my yoga. However, just like her owner, she is fearful at the same time. She often gets chased by a dog less than half of her size. She is afraid of vacuum cleaner and I also found out that she is afraid of Exercise ball like this one. One day I made a fort using two chairs (normally she would jump over) and the exercise ball and she doesn't even bark in order to get my attention. Practicing at home reduces commuting time and I can do some chores. So, poor dog, she has been in this fate a lot lately.

Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero or Heroine Pose) 10/19/04

In Eric's class, student presentations continue. Today one of my fellow classmates talked and demonstrated Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero or Heroine Pose). She said her hips are flexible enough to do this. But I can't! All this talk about yoga and you would think I am very flexible. But I definitely have my weaknesses. I always mention shoulders, but recently I realized my hips can be more flexible. I can't even get down to elbows. Now that I recall, for Japanese, I must be pretty bad because my heels don't reach the floor when I do Prayer Squat. URGH.

weight training in hectic days 10/18/04

I have done weight training on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and I finally feel like I am back. Over the weekend, little bits of here and there were sore. I have been doing 3 sets of 12 reps for about two weeks. (Changed from 2 sets of 12 reps) This semester, I am taking yoga class and making cardio priority, so weight training is the first one to get cut. If I have two hours in the morning for cardio, weight training and stretch and 1 hour in the evening, I would be happy. I know the dog can use the walk (30 minutes) and I can use 30-minute swimming. Ah, and I miss Tai-Chi. I know I can't have that kind of time this semester. But I should do weight training, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, especially when I am home for the weekend.