2.22.12 - Ashtanga

2.20.12 - Yoga for Athletes

2.20.12 - Ashtanga

2.19.12 - Ashtanga (led)

2.17.12 - Ashtanga (led)

2.15.12 - Ashtanga

Felt pretty sleepy and worn out this morning. Stiff in my forward folds, weak in my jump throughs/backs, although I used the towel again and the mechanics of it are becoming more clear.

It's amazing how terrible my Utthita Hasta is on my right leg all of a sudden. It's tight and weak. My face doesn't touch, whereas 2 weeks ago it touched with no problem. My left leg seems to be doing all right.

I got the bind in Mari D on the left, but it was a struggle and a half.

Kurmasana was not deep at all. Totally different from yesterday, when it came with such ease.

Supta Kurmasana was pretty decent. But my transition out was sloppy.

Padmasana / Garbha Pindasana wasn't stellar - I tried getting my wrists through again, but the pressure on my lower calf muscle from my write wrist was a little more than I could stand and I sort of panciked and got out quickly.

Sirsasana was okay - I came own to pike and held that for 5 breaths, then TRIED to raise the legs back up but did not succeed.

My lower back is achy and hurting, and had been all morning. It seemed like it needs twisting, but it got lots of that and still aches.

2.14.12 - Ashtanga

Practice was really good this morning. Now that I'm running again, I'm much tighter and need the yoga to help release everything.

• I used my towel for the first time. It made jumping through and jumping back a little bit easier; my folded legs glide over the towel instead of getting stuck on my mat. I'm still not picking up fully and am far from it, but I think the action of sliding-through will train my muscles for the action.
• I felt very tight in my forward folds.
• My left hip and knee were very tight. Ardha Baddha was difficult on the left side.
• Utthita Hasta was really hard. I couldn't get my leg up very high, hamstrings felt tight and my quads felt tired, and my lower leg muscles started shaking. Balance was poor.
• Could not get a bind in Marichyasana D on left side.
• Kurmasana was my best yet. I had shoulders and chin to the floor and my heels ALMOST came off the floor! Legs were squeezed in tight to the body which helped a lot. It felt amazing. I could have stayed there all day.
• Supta Kurmasana was great too. Still don't have the bind, but ankles crossed deeply and I felt very tucked. I think my fingertips will be touching soon.
• Worked on Padmasana in preparation for Garbha Pindasana. I was able to get my arms through but only to my forearms. They are so uneven though; I don't know how one would hold their body weight up when the hand placement is so skewed.
• Sirsasana is improving, but I'm still unable to hold the pike position for more than a breath. I am just too pooped at the end of practice.