Personal Challenge ( Forearm Posture)

25.6.2013
This is a strong pose and I have not even kicked up into a forearm balance. I'm going to work at building shoulder strength and gain the confidence to kick up. I am finding the challenge being having to look forward while my forearms support my body with legs walking closer to the body, I really felt this in my hamstrings where I thought in downward facing dog being able to have feet flat on the floor that my hamstrings had lengthened, proving each pose is different for sure.

Challenge Yourself ( A Plank Challenge)

Your breath will get you through the demanding poses, for instance I will challenge myself to hold a plank pose for one and building to two minutes, which is around 10 - 20 long, deep breath cycles.

Not only will this build core strength, but you will also cultivate internal strength, stamina and will power. By staying in a poses longer than you want can help find stillness of the body and mind and this is the most challenging aspect of Yoga. I'm learning that holding poses are more challenging than flowing and moving and just as rewarding. 

25.6.2013
I was able to start off strong, alignment felt good and breath flowing nicely.  Thinking that I have practiced this pose many times in class and teaching, but I was wrong it is defiantly going to be a challenge. 

26.6.2013
I am feeling really tired today, could easily go back to bed , however with many items on the agenda for today I need to build stamina, plank pose is a good pose to help me in this area. Omg I actually held plank for 11 breaths but they were quick but controlled, just need to slow the breath down , feeling it in my wrists, upper arms , core already since starting plus mt teaching and personal practice has been twists and core work. But I am happy with progress of today's plank. 

27.6.2013
I did not try this challenge today.

28.6.2013
As I moved into position my back actually cracked wich was great :)
Now onto serious matters.. I was holding the plank Pose pretty strong and confident, breath was deep and long. Was retaining breaths at same length for inhale and exhale, I got to 10 breaths, then I was feeling pressure in my lower back , the core and arms. Typing this my upper arms are like jelly, lower back is feeling sore. Will need to work out why and adjust accordingly. 

6.7.2013
After not working ony challenge for a few days , after a few rounds of a sun salutation A , I rested in DownDog and inhaled into Plank , was able to hold for 10 deep controlled breaths , by the 10th breath my body was shaking and was feeling the heat generate within my body. Felt pretty good today, nice and strong. Namaste !!

Yoga Journal

24.6.2013
A morning Yoga class is a great way to start your day off just right, so why is it I am confused if I want to go or not? Is it the cold outside, feeling tired, many things to do today or even lack of discipline? 
I am yet to figure that question out, but yet I have decided to make the commitment to go and I know I will benefit greatly from the experience in many ways, I will post when I return about my experience. 

Ok I'm am back home after my practice, let me tell you what a difference a practice makes and possibly because I was dragging my feet to even get there but I am so happy I did. Class was just what I needed as I do suffer lower back issues and yoga keeps it on the right track, I find that when I don't go after a week I really feel it in my back, Yoga has become my therapy In more ways than one. There were numerous challenging postures for me today but my breathe was very open and long , was easier to move  from pose to pose with the guidance from the teacher :) 
One of the challenging poses was a forearm balance , I have decided to set myself a challenge in getting stronger, more confidence and be able to look forward while kicking up into the pose. 
Feeling really good now I didn't practice I even found myself singing to music happily in my car while driving. 

Namaste xx