Back to the routine, thank God. Good practice today! Lifting from Kapotasana was effortless. The trick for me was to coordinate a precise moment of contracting abs and quads, in addition to a slight push with arm. It seems so strange now that the feat seemed impossible only a week ago. I love this about yoga!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
How aerobic is Mysore practice?
Thank you so much for all of you who advised me on the lift from Kapo B. Something must have stuck in my subconscious brain, because I did it yesterday! Three times. Might have done it today, too, but David helped me, so I do not know. But it is funny how a pose seems completely impossible, until something clicks and it works. Just like magic...
I brought in a heart rate monitor today to practice. In one of his talks, David said that heart rate should not go above 60 during Ashtanga practice. Yeah, right. My resting heart rate is 65-75, so I am already not there. During the day - 80-110, depending if I am walking or sitting. So anyway, my results:
Sun Salutations increase to 126
Standing poses hold heart rate around 100, except for hasta padangustasana, utkatasana and both virabadrasanas - 126
Vinyasas between seated raises HR by 10 (from 95 to 105-110, approximately), forward bends decrease it back to 95-100
Starting from Marich C to kurmasana, HR does not go down from 125; supta kurmasana - 136
Blessed baddhakonasana brings it down again to 100, then it goes down to 90-somtheing, until, of course, setu bandhasana - 127
Pasasana - 130
HR does not go down at all during all second series backbends, and actually reaches 150 after kapotasana (wihich is 15 points more than lagu vajrasana)
UD and dropbacks are not quite as strenuous as I thought they were - HR up to 135
Finishing poses do not decrease HR substantially, but not raise it as well, except for utpluthee - 134
Savasana - 81
I know that my cardiovascular health is not very athletic, so this record might not be helpful at all to all of you, athletic people. But it was interesting to me that vinyasas are as strenuous as just walking (not that strenuous at all - but again, my jumpbacks suck). Sarvangasana and sirsasana are not restorative. I also expected a higher raise of the HR after twists. Kapotasana results are not suprising.
So if I calculate my aerobic target rate, it comes to 103 to 156 for my age. Which means that I keep my heart rate somewhere is the middle of this range practicing ashtanga. This makes me happy...
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Kapotasana B woes.
So this is my Kapotasana. Honestly speaking, this is the first time I am seeing it myself, and it is not as flat as I thought it was. I do see all that re-gained weight though, sigh. Anyway, I need some advice. That pathetic attempt to an exit from Kapotasana B is my best attempt to date. What am I doing wrong? Where should I press, which muscles to engage and which to relax? Please help! :)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I like ashtanga again. I think.
Several massages, being cautious in my practice and just generally taking it easy made my aversion to all things ashtanga subside a little. I somewhat re-acquired the enthusiasm for practice, though I still can't manage more than a three day Mysore week.
So while I was away:
1) Attended Simon Park's workshops at Flow yoga. Super-nice person, fun and challenging flows, I got some progress going in my handstands. I was happy but a little surprised at my lack of stamina. I think that vinyasa classes that I teach are just as challenging, but then again, I teach them, not do them. Note to self - add some cardio, Saturdays perhaps?
2) Kapotasana is a little better. My back is no longer shocked after it, and backbends are just fine. I would say that UD became better because of kapotasana. But I still can't stand up from kapotasana B. David thinks it is purely psychological (it took me forever to learn to stand up from UD). But I think it is my alleged lack of psoas minor. A girl can blame her ashtanga problems on anatomical deficiencies, right? It is a basic human right.
3) Had an energy correcting session with a shaman-in-training. Do not ask.
4) Am excited but also dreading upcoming immunology teaching starting this January.
5) Nearly all the weight that I lost with such difficulty this year came back. Makes me sad. Can't bind supta kurmasana on my own. Can't bind wrist in Mari C, D and pasasana. Somebody, please slap me.
I am going to read your blogs now. Ciao!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Kapotasana blues
Monday, November 9, 2009
New week.
Good practice Sunday, but could not wake up today at all for Mysore. I teach a very intense vinyasa class Sunday evenings, so probably it is too much yoga for one day. No matter, tomorrow is another good day for practice.
Not a lot to report, my life is as boring as ever. Little highlights:
- I assembled the bookshelves all by myself - so proud. Especially because it was said in the instructions - two people required. One big mistake - not a good idea to try to fit boards by slapping them with your hands. I did it successfully, but today I am sporting an enourmous bruise on my hand, on the base of the thumb. Downdog is a little painful.
- Tried standing up from the "wide UD" from Liz's challenge. Could not do it. Realised that can stand up from only not too wide and not too narrow UDs. Not a very good stander-upper, as it seems. Need to work on it.
- Still did not get to watch Kino's DVD - just need a good solid junk of time. Perhaps the veteran's day?
- Back on the vagon with CRON and raw eating. Feel better as a result.
OK, back to work. I hope everyone has a really nice Monday evening!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Still alive.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Happy Friday!
On a completely different note. The last couple of weeks I noticed that I have a tremendous difficulty of concentrating. Always suspected that I might have a subclinical level of ADD, but this time it became so pronounced, I actually started considering seeing a doctor and beggging for meds. When I mentioned this to my boss after a day of futile struggle, she remembered reading a book, called "The edge effect", which was talking about tyrosine, serotonine and other neurotransmitters and how they affect the personality. I did not read this book, but there was a light bulb lighting up in my head. I remembered that in one of his lectures, our ayurveda teacher Brendan Freely said that he abandoned raw vegeterian eating because it made him "too flighty" and attributed this to increase in vata imbalance. I have not been eating any dairy the whole last month, so there was no uptake of any kind of animal protein in my diet at all. So probably I am low on tyrosine, and, as a result - low on dopamine and catecholamines. Which is reflected in difficulty to concentrate practically on anything (including writing this blog). I should know these things, being a neuroscientist and all. Anyway, this is a theory, which need proving. So for now, I will take some tyrosine supplements and see if my ability to work using my head improves at all, and meanwhile research raw foods rich in tyrosine and phenylalanine. Let me tell you, this raw vegan diet, with all its healthful benefits, is a lot of work. But I still like it. :)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Whatever does not kill us makes us stronger, right? Right?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Do you go for a smoke before your backbends?
– David asked me yesterday. Yes. Well, not exactly smoke, but I do take a bathroom break before the dropbacks. It is just the right amount of time – to walk there and back, breathing slowly; it helps to restore some of my energy. As a result, the dropbacks became practically effortless.
Not today, though. In spite of my pitiful record of attendance, I got the dreaded pose – kapotasana. My fear was well grounded - what a shock for the system! I did reach for the feet, but my back was not grateful. The bathroom break restored some of the feeling of well-being, but not enough even to contemplate the drop-backs. Oh, well.
Other news – we moved this weekend. I love my new apartment. Everything is still in boxes, my furniture looks pitiful (all of it is not just second, but third or fourth hand), but it feels right. The tree in front of all our windows is beautiful, the neighbors are friendly, and we already have internet, phone and cable installed. Hopefully I will settle into the routine after a month of madness.
Great day to you all!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Final stretch
We are closing the mortgage and moving to a new place this week. I have too many earthly possessions. Hurt my upper back hauling the boxes with books, so there was no yoga yesterday and today. Hopefully will be able to practice tomorrow, need it badly.
I will be back in the blogosphere after we get the internet installed in a new place (sometime next week).
Miss you all!
Alfia
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday woes.
Oi, another week passed. This way the life itself will be gone in a blink of an eye, and I will not even notice it. Time to slow down.
Nothing much to report, except for the fact that we are poor now. Very much so. Coming up with down payment for the apartment was difficult, but then there turned out to be closing costs, quarterly taxes, and a gazillion of 0ther expenses to be payed right now, and not a minute later! So yeah, poor.
Practice-wise, not much to report. Laghu comes and goes; it is gone for now. I do not worry too much, it will come. Not a lot of energy to practice; being anxious about getting a loan sucks up all my energy at the moment. Yesterday I decided to add half an hour to my sleep in order to be in top shape for the morning practice; but not only I was not able to fall asleep early, I tossed and turned well into the night. As a result, the practice was quite pitiful today.
Plan for this week - meditate not only every day, but several times a day, every time I feel that my heart is racing and palm are sweaty.
Have a great week, everyone!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Still playing games, owning Laghu Vajrasana and no longer drinking alcohol
1) I need to kill my inner alcoholic permanently, because I have a life-threatening sensitivity to sulfites. Had a major asthma attack after celebrating my husband's CFA exam with Russian champagne. It is not like I love drinking wine, but still this makes me a little sad. Oh well, I am forced to live a healthier lifestyle, shouldn't complain.
2) We are thinking about buying a condo. With 2 bedrooms, which means we'll be able to accomodate guests. Wink-wink.
3) I can do Laghu Vajrasana now. Like so many yoga poses, this one turned out to be not about superhuman strength. It is all about spatial geometry, knowing where to press, which muscles to contract, which parts to release. Aliya hepled me a lot with this pose. I do not know what I am going to do when he, Rayna and Ananda are gone to Paradise (here, on Earth!). Sigh.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dangers of facebook and kitty update.
Kitty seems to be doing OK, though she did not greet me in the morning again, completely ignoring our morning treat-giving ritual. What is up with her? Aren't cats the creatures of habits and rituals? Weird.
Laghu Vajrasana still eludes me. My thighs are fried daily now. David said yesterday that as soon as I learn to do it, we'll be moving forward. Which kind of gave me a mixed feeling - I am not all that sure I want Kapotasana any time soon. On the other hand - I want it! Need to sit and sort myself out.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Some good, some bad.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Back from Minnesota
Good intentions of practicing yoga on my own resulted in one day of intermediate (up to lagu vajrasana) and four days of half-ass yin practices in my hotel room. I do not have discipline, as it seems. With some trepidation I stepped in to the shala today, and ended up having an amazing practice. I always knew that breaks were good for me, but a week-long break? Interesting.
Assisted backbends were not quite good, though. I was dropping back heavily, and it took a lot of effort for David to lift me up. He got sick of it pretty fast and made me hang back with my legs straight. Turns out I am terrified of this pose! In my dropbacks I always support my back with hands on the hips or thighs until the very last moment of bringing the hands down to the floor. I did not realise that I cound not do it otherwise. Today, there was a moment of pure panic rising, and I lifted up so fast, nearly knocked David's head with my own. Well, something new to work on. Love challenges!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Eating out is scary.
This Sunday I am going to Minneapolis, MN for a week-long immunology training. It is going to be grueling - 8 hours a day of lectures, with small breaks here and there. I did not find a studio with Mysore practice there on-line, please correct me if I am wrong. I think I will splurge on illegal intermediate series practice at my hotel. They also have an Olympic-size pool there, so I better not forget my swimming suit.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Magic of adjustments
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Kapotasana is looming over me.
Lagu vajrasana kicked my butt. I did try it at home before and used it as a tool to strengthen the necessary muscles for coming up from UD; but I never managed to bring my head completely to the floor. With David, however, there is just no middle ground, need to bring head down no matter what. Sure way of getting the quads of steel, I guess. On the bright side, there is no way I am getting to Kapotasana any time soon, since there is a long way for me to work on LV. Whoo-hoo!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I should just keep my mouth shut
Was talking to Sarah on Sunday, marveling at the fact that I was completely injury-free. Then in the evening I hit a door frame with my left hand, hurting the thumb. Could not do anything in the morning. Went to work, surprised that my allergies were acting up badly. Turned out - not allergies, but a cold. Maybe flu. I was in complete denial. I eat right, do yoga and wash my hands religiously - how can I possibly be sick? But fever in the evening, Tuesday spent in bed, and being barely able to move on Wednesday left no doubts. Practiced today, but it seems that the practice took all my energy away, and I am in a zombie-like state. Why have I ever uttered those words on Sunday?
On a plus side, my thumb had a chance to heal. :)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Then and now.
Oh, Liz, I can't believe you made me do that!
Ugh...
Ok, me at 7:
Yeah... The only things in common then and now - messy hair and clothes. :D
Sunday, June 28, 2009
It's a new day.
My success in binding dwi pada unexpectedly yielded two new poses - dhanurasana and parsva dhanurasana. I have been doing my last three for no more than 3 seconds, and here we are, new poses. Sometimes I just do not understand the logic behind this business of pose giving. Not that I am complaining! :)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Dwi pada ups and downs
I bound in dwi pada on my own for the first time on Sunday. Supta Kurmasana felt like heaven after that - I thought I could bind my wrist for some reason, but alas, it was just adrenaline talking. I was so excited that I let practically everyone around me know what happened. Like, "Did you see? I did it!" Crazy, I know.
My neck did not share my happiness next day, though. Good thing is was a moon day, so it had a chance to recover. Mostly muscle tension from overworking, no structural damage (I hope!) Today the leg bind in dwi pada did not happen, even though I tried my darndest. Oh, well, it happened once, it will happen again. Aliya believes in me, and who am I to argue? :)
Work keeps me very busy lately; interferes a lot with my ability to visit the blogs. In additon, there have been a lot of subbing lately, not sure why. I feel conflicted - crave free time, but when I get it, I immediately start sabotaging it. Would be good to analyze it, but there is no time. Besides, there is one thought dominates in my head - Will I bind tomorrow in dwi pada or not? :D
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Advanced yoga
Searching for inspiration for my tomorrow's class, I came across this gem. Just could not hold myself from sharing it:
Ain't it precious?
In comparison, this guy seems to be awesome:
Monday, June 15, 2009
Commencement
The commencement ceremony was not very festive. Turns out that two students committed suicide very recently; one in May, the second - just two days before graduation. I can not even imagine what the parents felt. The school honored them with a moment of silence during the graduation ceremony. One could tell that the mood of the crowd was very somber because of that. The gray sky and drizzling rain did not help either. B
But the city was as beautiful as ever. There were lots of trees with purple flowers, and the whole Pasadena seemed to be covered in a purple haze. Falling purple flowers carpeted the ground as well.
Anyway, here are some pics. Unfortunately, my son politely declined the leprechaun jump for me. I am not surprised, though - this is the same person who does not want me as a friend on Facebook! Ugh. I still love him. :)
U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Steve Chu gave a really good speech:
Purple trees
And purple carpet....
And this is a little frog - just for Arturo. It was sitting next to the pond at the Caltech campus, contemplating something scientific, I bet:
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Bhekasana and trip to LA
Yep, got salambasanas and bhekasana. Still feels good to get a new pose, no matter what I say about not caring anymore. UD felt really good afterward.
I am leaving tomorrow early in the morning for LA, my son's commencement ceremony. Need to have those pictures in a square hat, and now also with a leprechaun jump (Thank you, Liz!). Pity it is such a short trip, but better than no trip at all, which was a real option for a while.
Feeling vastly better today, even though I had to sub a class late yesterday, so I got only 6 hours of
sleep. I just do not understand anymore how my body works and what it requires to function properly. So far it seems that rest is not only overrated, but even detrimental for well being. Who knew? :D But it is exciting to get re-acquainted with the body again, throw new things in it, observe and make conclusions. Just like science I do for living.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
In need of an energy shot.
Today's practice was a little slow, but very satisfying in the end. David asked me what my last pose was and whether I was ready to move on. Hell, yes! It has been nearly a year since I got a new pose. I know he is just being cautious with all my multiple injuries, so it is OK with me. I feel that at last I got over this urge to get a new pose. Or maybe I lost this urge temporarily because I have this challenge of getting into Dwi Pada - Supta Kurmasana on my own, and it keeps my competitive fibers occupied at the moment. Whatever is at work, I feel good about my practice at the moment.
At work craziness starts with summer students arriving. It is a good kind of craziness, though. Two of them are here already, one will be here next week. Our quiet lab is not so quiet anymore!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
OK, I am at peace with this week after all.
Two days of ladies holiday gave me an opportunity to spend some time with a beautiful baby Ananda. We got along really well; the first day he did not cry even once in 2 hours, the second - briefly a couple of times, but then he got into a good mood again. My son was not such an agreeable baby.
This morning's practice was really good. I did not eat anything in the morning, and felt fine through the practice. Blood glucose level was 94, so probably there was lots of fuel to go around. No farting today (thank God), though lubricated skin-to-skin traction during arm insertion in Garbha produced a suspiciously similar sound.
I can consistently bind now in SK, but I can't get there on my own yet. Aliya claims I am hair-thin close to being able to do it. Just need to believe in it myself.
I am subbing a vinyasa class late tonight. Maybe I manage to sneak in a nap sometime today? Would be nice.
It is raining and kind of cool outside. Lots of things to take care of, so I should better start.
Have a great day, everyone!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Can we start this week over, please?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Fighting friction.
Day three of practice this week was heavy. But again, I need to memorize that feeling of well being afterward, even if I felt tired during the practice.
Anyway, I found an interesting cheat this morning. I was wearing cropped pants, and a tank top with open shoulders. So I sprayed some water on my leg before attempting Dwi pada, and it really helped to slide that stiff right leg back. I still was not able to bind the legs on my own, but both of my feet touched and it felt that I was much closer to success. Keith helped me to bind the legs and I bound my hands on my own in supta kurmasana. Practically for the first time in my life.
I am so excited! :) Then I lifted up, and uncurled into tittibasana. No friction there - my legs went down with unexpected speed and crushed loudly on the floor. Something to pay attention to.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial day
Monday, May 18, 2009
Not so happy anymore
Guruji left his body. Though I did not get a chance to get to know him personally, I feel privileged to live and practice at the time he lived. I hope he feels all the love and gratitude of so many people who's lives he changed forever.
Me happy...
I had three days of home practice before I returned to shala this morning. I was concentrating on hips and backbends, nothing drastic, just slow yin practice. For the backbends I used a big ball. It felt really good, but I was not sure if this practice achieved anything. However this morning, during the first updog I suddenly felt ache in my upper abs. Not bad pain, but the sensation that I actually stretched something there. It was a pleasant surprise - I have never managed to go into a backbend deep enough to stretch abs. Love my ball! :)
The practice today was great, everything seemed to be working my way, all the poses were nicely satisfying. Aliya was subbing, which is always a plus. He helped me into SK via dwi pada, and I did not feel much in my left leg (afterwards - s little nagging sensation, but nothing dramatic). Did it heal completely? I will try to be careful in putting it behind my head, but I should definitely push a little and work on getting into SK on my own. Back feels good, too. I might be a little too cautious these days with standing up from UD, but it beats getting hurt again and thrown back for another year.
All in all - my body is happy, and so am I. Happy new week, everyone!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The benefits of chemical modifications of the body.
I went to practice yesterday after taking Theraflu a night before. Practice was good, though I felt a little shaky from weakness. Yesterday I did not take any meds and woke up incredibly stuffed up. Now, how do people practice if they can't breathe through the nose? I had a light home practice and my sinuses cleared up after all sun salutations, but I had to blow my nose after every single one of them. Disgusting. Now I am wondering, should I take anything tonight to be able to practice at the shala tomorrow, or I will recover sufficiently to go drug-free? Hmmm...
The weather is amazing - a little cool, but in a nice, crisp and sunny sort of way. I hope I will be able to go for a short walk after lunch today. I am trying a walking meditation again, and it goes so well when it is beautiful outside.
Happy Wednesday!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Pictures from New York
Just wanted to cover up my whiny post. Here are some pictures:
Just a girl on Park avenue. I like how she was catching the sun nonchalantly among crazy traffic.
People waiting for the start of the practice in Chinatown YMCA.
Me, grinning stupidly next to Sharath after the practice. He was very nice, though he firmly refused to allow me to take pictures during the practice.
Polar bears are now forever associated in my mind with the "Lost". Need to cut down on TV time!
Zombie
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Home, sweet home.
Then on Monday at work all the tasks that I missed last week crashed on me like a ton of bricks. Every single one of them interesting, but there are too many of them and they were supposed to be done yesterday. How ever do people take vacations?
But practice was good yesterday. Again, this is that rare time in my life when nothing really hurts (unless I try to force my left leg behind my head that is). Today I opted out for a lighter home practice, anticipating a long day ahead. I am looking forward to Mysore tomorrow, though. It feels that home practice was somehow not quite satisfactory.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
New York
We reached New York surprisingly well, considering my non-existent sense of direction (mostly thanks to Tova and GPS). I brought 4 huge boxes of books to my son, so any other modes of transportation, other than a rental car, were out of the question for me. He lives now in a large studio apartment midtown east Manhattan, practically three blocks from his work. Awesome neighborhood - practically everything you need to survive is there within 4 block radius. Though food prices are atrocious.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
I think I am on vacation today.
I thought I would have more time last week, but I was mistaken. Grading the exams, giving make-up exams and extra-credit assignments, explaining my grading system to students individually - ate all my free time. On top of that my laptop broke, taking away all the grades, changes and notes that I made for the course, as well as all my cronometer data. Normally I am very religious about backing up, but not lately. Had to pay through the nose in terms of time and effort in restoring data.
Oh, well, life lesson I guess.
Thank you all for your birthday wishes! We celebrated it yesterday in a French restaurant and the day was just perfect. One wrinkle - I came home and checked the nutritional values of a creamy mussel soup with saffron that I ordered; and one serving of it turned out to be 566 calories. No wonder it was so tasty!
Tova and I are heading to New York today for Sharath's classes. I will have a chance to try out my new Harmony mat. This is going to be my first vacation in ages (5-6 years?). I think I will just sleep, sleep and sleep some more all the time away from yoga. Though I am taking with me my big camera and lenses, maybe I will manage some quality photography time as well.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Things are looking up.
Things definitely got better this week. Proctored the last exam in my immunology class, graded them yesterday. Today I am battling the onslaught of e-mails with requests to boost a grade a little. Firmly holding my positions so far.
Cron report. In spite of 112% in calorie consumption, I lost 2 pounds. Maybe I miscalculated the baseline? 4 times Mysore and ~6K steps a day - I think it is quite a moderate level of activity. Perhaps it is active for my age? In any case, I am not complaining. Feels so good to be lighter. And finally I stepped into a "normal" BMI level of 24.8. Whoohoo!
Report generated by CRON-o-Meter v0.9.5
Daily Averages over 7 days
General (91%) | |||
Energy | 2008.1 | kcal | 112% |
Protein | 64.9 | g | 144% |
Carbs | 347.3 | g | 129% |
Fiber | 70.9 | g | 236% |
Fat | 48.1 | g | 65% |
Water | 3260.3 | g | 82% |
Vitamins (96%) | |||
Vitamin A | 45743.8 | IU | 1961% |
Folate | 476.0 | µg | 119% |
B1 (Thiamine) | 1.6 | mg | 147% |
B2 (Riboflavin) | 1.8 | mg | 161% |
B3 (Niacin) | 20.5 | mg | 147% |
B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 6.0 | mg | 120% |
B6 (Pyridoxine) | 10.7 | mg | 824% |
B12 (Cyanocobalamin) | 26.8 | µg | 1116% |
Vitamin C | 1599.9 | mg | 2133% |
Vitamin D | 103.7 | IU | 52% |
Vitamin E | 14.9 | mg | 99% |
Vitamin K | 930.7 | µg | 1034% |
Minerals (96%) | |||
Calcium | 1214.1 | mg | 121% |
Copper | 2.4 | mg | 268% |
Iron | 17.6 | mg | 98% |
Magnesium | 446.2 | mg | 139% |
Manganese | 5.5 | mg | 305% |
Phosphorus | 831.2 | mg | 119% |
Potassium | 4959.2 | mg | 106% |
Selenium | 31.7 | µg | 58% |
Sodium | 2264.6 | mg | 151% |
Zinc | 9.7 | mg | 122% |
Lipids (70%) | |||
Saturated | 8.3 | g | 41% |
Omega-3 | 3.0 | g | 276% |
Omega-6 | 12.9 | g | 108% |
Cholesterol | 117.7 | mg | 39% |
Sunday, April 12, 2009
One week - done, one to go.
Food - did not pay too much attention to what I was eating, just trying not to overeat too grossly. Result - did not get enogh of folate, B3, b5, D, E, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc. Weight is the same, 75.4 kg (BMI - 25.2).
Nutrition Summary
Report generated by CRON-o-Meter v0.9.5
Nutrition Summary
April 5, 2009 to April 11, 2009
Daily Averages over 7 days
General (89%) | |||
Energy | 2034.0 | kcal | 113% |
Protein | 75.3 | g | 167% |
Carbs | 291.2 | g | 108% |
Fiber | 44.5 | g | 148% |
Fat | 57.6 | g | 78% |
Water | 2150.9 | g | 54% |
Vitamins (89%) | |||
Vitamin A | 19213.1 | IU | 824% |
Folate | 302.4 | µg | 76% |
B1 (Thiamine) | 1.2 | mg | 109% |
B2 (Riboflavin) | 1.3 | mg | 115% |
B3 (Niacin) | 12.5 | mg | 90% |
B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 4.1 | mg | 83% |
B6 (Pyridoxine) | 7.2 | mg | 557% |
B12 (Cyanocobalamin) | 15.0 | µg | 626% |
Vitamin C | 814.7 | mg | 1086% |
Vitamin D | 142.0 | IU | 71% |
Vitamin E | 8.0 | mg | 53% |
Vitamin K | 312.4 | µg | 347% |
Minerals (87%) | |||
Calcium | 998.1 | mg | 100% |
Copper | 1.4 | mg | 154% |
Iron | 13.8 | mg | 77% |
Magnesium | 306.4 | mg | 96% |
Manganese | 4.6 | mg | 253% |
Phosphorus | 646.8 | mg | 92% |
Potassium | 3362.7 | mg | 72% |
Selenium | 31.8 | µg | 58% |
Sodium | 2071.2 | mg | 138% |
Zinc | 6.3 | mg | 79% |
Lipids (76%) | |||
Saturated | 13.7 | g | 68% |
Omega-3 | 2.0 | g | 183% |
Omega-6 | 9.8 | g | 82% |
Cholesterol | 155.6 | mg | 52% |
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Another week is gone.
The week zipped through, felt like a day. This is the final stretch in my immunology course; only 3 lectures and 1 exam left. My students are nervous and are constantly asking to give them some extra work to improve the grades. For me this extra work is what it is - extra work, and lots of it. Next time around I will do things a little differentlly.
It seems the DMV tickets became a part of my weekly routine. This time I got a speeding ticket. I do feel the need to slow down,which is now monetarily reinforced. Breathe...
Yoga - again, a 3 day Mysore week. I am not going to beat myself up for that. Of course, 3 days are far from ideal, but it is 3 times better than no Mysore at all. Leg is aching, lower back - too. Got myself a portable ultrasound (thank you, Boodiba!); we'll see if it makes any difference. Practically no home practice this week.
On a positive news - my son graduated from his school! Whew. He already got a job, found an apartment and moved to NYC. We might all go to his commencement ceremony in June. I will get to see him and his apartment when I go to Sharath's week in the end of April. So excited!
Nothing changed in my eating patterns, except now I am lacking iron and potassium. 5K steps weekly average. Need to move my ass more! :)
Report generated by CRON-o-Meter v0.9.5
Nutrition Summary
March 16, 2009 to March 22, 2009
Daily Averages over 7 days
Energy | 2170.5 | kcal | 121% |
Protein | 115.5 | g | 257% |
Carbs | 305.7 | g | 114% |
Fiber | 52.5 | g | 175% |
Fat | 62.0 | g | 84% |
Water | 1747.4 | g | 44% |
Vitamins (100%) | |||
Vitamin A | 24621.5 | IU | 1055% |
Folate | 561.2 | µg | 140% |
B1 (Thiamine) | 5.1 | mg | 460% |
B2 (Riboflavin) | 5.6 | mg | 513% |
B3 (Niacin) | 21.8 | mg | 156% |
B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 13.4 | mg | 268% |
B6 (Pyridoxine) | 15.2 | mg | 1166% |
B12 (Cyanocobalamin) | 58.7 | µg | 2446% |
Vitamin C | 1787.5 | mg | 2383% |
Vitamin D | 410.9 | IU | 205% |
Vitamin E | 28.9 | mg | 193% |
Vitamin K | 386.0 | µg | 429% |
Minerals (97%) | |||
Calcium | 1144.1 | mg | 114% |
Copper | 1.6 | mg | 178% |
Iron | 16.1 | mg | 89% |
Magnesium | 401.9 | mg | 126% |
Manganese | 3.8 | mg | 209% |
Phosphorus | 775.7 | mg | 111% |
Potassium | 3579.2 | mg | 76% |
Selenium | 77.6 | µg | 141% |
Sodium | 2708.8 | mg | 181% |
Zinc | 9.9 | mg | 124% |
Lipids (87%) | |||
Saturated | 13.8 | g | 69% |
Omega-3 | 4.1 | g | 372% |
Omega-6 | 14.7 | g | 122% |
Cholesterol | 237.0 | mg | 79% |
Happy Sunday!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
CRON report
In terms of nutrition - a little better week, but still not good enough. In terms of yoga - below average. Mysore - 3 days, taught 2 classes, home practice - 2 hours. In terms of works - total disaster. I botched a very important experiment somehow, no one is happy about it. Overall, it was a very unlucky week - in all things, big and small. Missed and forgotten chores, $100 parking ticket (I was late by a matter of seconds), and so on. I am glad this week is over; hopefully the next one will be a better one. Besides, it is one week closer to the end of the semester, only 3 weeks left!
Report generated by CRON-o-Meter v0.9.5
Nutrition Summary
March 22, 2009 to March 28, 2009Daily Averages over 7 days
General (91%)
Energy 2059.6 kcal 114%
Protein 77.3 g 172%
Carbs 250.3 g 93%
Fiber 47.9 g 160%
Fat 75.0 g 101%
Water 2113.7 g 53%
Vitamins (100%)
Vitamin A 13788.9 IU 591%
Folate 415.1 µg 104%
B1 (Thiamine) 6.6 mg 597%
B2 (Riboflavin) 6.9 mg 630%
B3 (Niacin) 25.6 mg 183%
B5 (Pantothenic Acid) 17.6 mg 351%
B6 (Pyridoxine) 15.3 mg 1174%
B12 (Cyanocobalamin)66.9 µg 2789%
Vitamin C 1358.1 mg 1811%
Vitamin D 247.2 IU 124%
Vitamin E 3.7 mg 244%
Vitamin K 167.3 µg 186%
Minerals (90%)
Calcium 1149.8 mg 115%
Copper 2.0 mg 218%
Iron 17.5 mg 97%
Magnesium 480.3 mg 150%
Manganese 5.1 mg 286%
Phosphorus 921.7 mg 132%
Potassium 2820.0 mg 60%
Selenium 41.1 µg 75%
Sodium 1061.0 mg 71%
Zinc 14.6 mg 183%
Lipids (73%)
Saturated 11.8 g 59%
Omega-3 3.5 g 320%
Omega-6 20.3 g 169%
Cholesterol 104.8 mg 35%
Happy Sunday, everyone!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Practically full practice.
Well, not exactly - still no supta kurmasana, though I made an attempt to doing it myself. Also, I have never been able to do the transition between Upavista Konasana A to B. But otherwise - did everything, chakrasanas, dropbacks and standing ups included. Whoo-hoo! There is a dull ache in my left leg now, so probably I should take it a little easier tomorrow with lotuses and half lotuses. But at least I can do it! I am very excited.
The weekend was a total blur - had my taxes done, all the paperwork for work permit, taught classes, and prepared for immunology classes. Haven't even noticed beautiful weather on Sunday until it was time to go and teach. But the feeling of accomplishment should count for something, right?
Happy Monday!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Weekly report
Trying to get back on CRON vagon, and failing miserably. 121% on calories! Ate like a pig. Weight went down a little, nevertheless, which is strange - 75.2 kg (BMI 25.1 - so close to normal!)
Mysore - 4 days, home practice - 4 days. I started holding poses in my home practice for 5 min with a timer. Felt torturous in the beginning, but now I am enjoying them immensly. In some poses I wait for the timer ring desperately, in some - I feel disappointed that the ring came too early. I concentrate on hip openers mostly, then do backbends and gentle twists. The most intense poses so far - happy baby with the sandbags on my feet and a backbend over the chair. The last one I do using a meditation cushion on the chair seat, because otherwise it starts hurting like hell after 30 seconds. I am a whimp.
Report generated by CRON-o-Meter v0.9.5
Nutrition Summary
March 16, 2009 to March 22, 2009
Daily Averages over 7 days
General (88%)
Energy 2170.5 kcal 121%
Protein 115.5 g 257%
Carbs 305.7 g 114%
Fiber 52.5 g 175%
Fat 62.0 g 84%
Water 1747.4 g 44% (was forgetting to mark down all the water I drunk)
Vitamins (100%)
Vitamin A 24621.5 IU 1055%
Folate 561.2 µg 140%
B1 (Thiamine) 5.1 mg 460%
B2 (Riboflavin) 5.6 mg 513%
B3 (Niacin) 21.8 mg 156%
B5 (Pantothenic Acid) 13.4 mg 268%
B6 (Pyridoxine) 15.2 mg 1166% (too much?)
B12 (Cyanocobalamin) 58.7 µg 2446% (I wonder if it is OK? Seems like too much)
Vitamin C 1787.5 mg 2383%
Vitamin D 410.9 IU 205%
Vitamin E 28.9 mg 193%
Vitamin K 386.0 µg 429%
Minerals (97%)
Calcium 1144.1 mg 114%
Copper 1.6 mg 178%
Iron 16.1 mg 89% (need to find better sources)
Magnesium 401.9 mg 126%
Manganese 3.8 mg 209%
Phosphorus 775.7 mg 111%
Potassium 3579.2 mg 76%
Selenium 77.6 µg 141%
Sodium 2708.8 mg 181%
Zinc 9.9 mg 124%
Lipids (87%)
Saturated 13.8 g 69%
Omega-3 4.1 g 372%
Omega-6 14.7 g 122%
Cholesterol 237.0 mg 79%
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Trotting along.
Wow, it has been a week already! Time flies, mostly away from me.
I am aiming for a 5-day Mysore week this week. Had to skip Tuesday, because I overworked my leg on Monday. It did not hurt in the beginning, but then after a couple of eager half-lotus positions it started aching. Wednesday and today I took it easy, had slow and deliberate practices. I actually like it this way - knowing that my practice is shorter than normal, I do not have to hurry and can take my time in any of the poses I like.
Aliya was subbing today, always a treat. He told me to show my leg to a doctor. I think I should have done it two weeks ago, right after the accident. Then I was actually limping and in pain. I imagined myself coming to the doctor and asking for MRI, just because I can't take lotus and supta kurmasana. Do not believe the doctor would be very receptive to the idea. Oh, well, what matters is that it is healing; I just need to avoid doing something customarily stupid and all will be well.
And I started standing up from UD again today - first time after a 3-week break. So far, so good, no back pain (fingers crossed).
Need to work. Have a great day, everyone!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Back to practice.
The lack of free time is weighing very heavily on me. Things are going to get worse before getting better. Need to do taxes early, so I could apply for the next year's work permit and visa asap. I feel moody, not quite happy. I miss reading blogs, and talking to all of you! Need to survive until the end of April, need to survive. New mantra. At least I am practicing again.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Clutz
So everything was going amazingly well, until I hurt myself. How can a person doing yoga for many years be so clumsy? My left leg slid to the rigt side on a piece of ice that was on ice. I righted myself, but not before I put pressure on the knee with the shin in an unnaral position and my leg made an unpleasant crunching sound. Result - no lotus, half lotus, jumpbacks, jumpthroughs, supta kurmasana, and so on. Limp while walking. I am crippled.... :(
Monday, March 2, 2009
Braving the elements.
The way back was very adventurous. My car stalled on one of the hills and then started sliding back, while there were several cars behind me. They had to swerve around me, and then zipped up like there was no hill. Very unnerving. My commute to work took 1h45min instead of calculated 26 minutes, but at least I made it there in one piece.
I am so looking forward for tomorrow's Mysore! Do not remember the last time I felt like that about my practice. Whoo-hoo! :)
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Workshop with David Keil
Monday, February 23, 2009
Assisted dropbacks and Dwi Pada
He also allowed me to get into Supta Kurmasana via Dwi Pada, which is exciting. Normally he frowns upon this travesty, saying that Dwi pada is an advanced pose and we have no business attempting it. And I am so close to being able to do it myself! My right heel touches the toes of the left foot when I try to throw the right leg back. Need to practice it at home.
Have a great day, everyone!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Stepping back.
Thinking yesterday about my back problem made me realize that this is the right time to face the truth. I should completely stop standing up from UD on my own. Until I am fully pain-free that is. Otherwise it is a vicious circle - my back heals a little, I start standing up, hurt it again and everything repeats over and over. There are two major problems here - I do not want to admit to myself that I can't do it correctly, and I do not want to admit to David that I am in pain, because it will delay my progress for a decade or two. My poor Mysore attendance lately was in part because of my psychological fear of the backbending end of the practice. So here, I am going to ask David to allow me to revert to the assited dropbacks- stand ups, and if he takes away my intermediate poses, so be it. Just writing it down makes me unclench teeth and relax shoulders. Why have I allowed my yoga practice to stress me out so badly?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Busy bee
I think I did something wrong with my immunology class. I was so eager to teach and to assess their progress that I gave way too many homework and in-class assignments. The result - I am behind in grading, and there is seems to be no end to piles and piles of papers yet to grade. Thank God fro the Presidents Day! I would probably explode if not for this day off my day-time job.
Yoga wise - nothing new and noteworthy. Met with Tova to remedy my backbend woes, but even her magic touch did not improve my standing up from UD much. She gave me some sound advice, though, so maybe long-time effects are yet to come.
Happy Monday!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Survived this week; Sharon Gannon's workshop
Today went to Sharon Gannon's workshop at Flow yoga studio. This was the first time I was there, and might be the last. Do not get me wrong, it is a beautiful studio, with lots of cushions around to rest after or before class, and people are very friendly. The problem for me was that this is one of those places that use lots and lots of incense, which immediately constricted my lungs into a pre-asthma attack. I was very peeved with myself, because I forgot to bring my inhaler, my mat and, most importantly, my towel. I am one of those people who start sweating profusely the second they lift arms in the first sun salutation, so this was one huge mistake. The room was too warm, and densely packed with people. One girl was attempting karanda for warm-up, which was doubly impressive considering the distance between mats was an inch or so.
So first there was a signing of her new book, which I of course bought and had signed. Then the whole workshop was dedicated to the importance of being vegan for everything - Earth, humanity, our bodies, etc. I get this topic, I do. I would be a vegan myself, if it did not mean cooking two sets of food for me and for my husband, for which I do not have any energy and enthusiasm at the moment (besides, I think it would be a little inconsistent for a person killing lab mice for living). Anyway, I am not opposed to the idea of veganism in any way. But there was something in the way she was presenting it that left me unmoved. It felt a little insincere to me. Or just lacking true passion. I am not sure, but I was utterly unimpressed. I hope her book will leave a better impression.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
No longer blue, but very snotty
Feeling blue.
About sucky practice. No progress in standing up from UD. I think my abs are made of steel now, since I have been practicing lagy vajrasana dips religiously every day. Back strengtheners, too. But alas, this did not help. I mean I can stand up; but when I do it three days in a row, the bones of my lower back start hurting again. Not muscles, but the spines of the vertebrae. I can picture them grinding against each other, and that adds to my psychological unwilligness to do it. David says that I am holding my breath standing up. I feel this is not the reason, but a consequence of the injury - I am just too scared to hurt myself, I can't help it but to hold breath. Oh, well. Blah.
Need to dig up that St.John's wort. Herbal modifications of my body always worked for me, hopefully they will keep me afloat until Spring comes.
Time to grade papers while my experiment is running on its own. Have a great day, everyone!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Icy morning
I so love snow days! Even though we did not get one at work, my evening lecture was canceled, and I spent leisurely evening watching all the shows I have missed recently. Boy that felt good. I think this constant time pressure dries out my soul. I needed this therapy evening.
This morning I was all ready to go to practice. I was a little late, so I jumped out of the front door and immediately fell. Got up, fell again. The sidewalks were pure ice. Made it to my car, and discovered it was completely covered in a layer of ice even thicker than on the sidewalk. Eyed the shiny driveway and decided against going to Mysore. Such a wimp! Went back home, watched TV for an hour, had a lazy-ass slow yin practice and steeled myself for going out again. The driveway was already treated, thank God! It took some time to de-ice my car, and I am at work. It seems many people had the same problem, because the garage was half-empty and there is an echo in the corridors. I like it this way. Nobody to distract me, and I can do whatever I want. Just regret missed practice, but otherwise feel really good.
Anyway, about practice. Back pain is practically gone, and I even attempted standing up from UD again. I have been practicing Lagu vajrasana dips so much that my quads are killing me now. But maybe that helped my backbending problem, who knows. I do feel the engagement of the hip flexors and quads a little more (maybe because they are sore from home practice), so The Plan might be working. Yay!
Keep warm, everyone!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Laziest person on Earth gets new boots
For a person who does not have any time anymore, I do a lot of useless things. Today, for example, I drove to my car dealer for a 5K intermediate check-up, or something like that and to check my brakes which I noticed were making noises the day before yesterday. Only to find out that I was 2K miles short for a check-up, and my brakes stopped making noises, which were probably a result of cold weather. An hour of life - wasted.
Last week was bad in terms of Mysore attendance - only 2 days, one of them - incomplete practice. I do not even have a decent excuse for that. Home practice was lazy, short and altogether unsatisfying. I am not sure what is wrong with me.
In spite of such bad behavior, I rewarded myself with new boots from Aldo (thank you, Susan!). They look strange, but they are incredibly comfortable and have thick soles. I was too cold in all my other shoes, so I guess it was a necessary purchase.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday already.
Two days in a row of Mysore feel good, even though I had an abbreviated practice today.
Had an acupuncture session with Kelly from the studio; he seems to be quite amazing. He was reading my pulses for more than 5 minutes and correctly diagnosed my heart valve problem. He told me that my spinous processes of vertebrae are most likely grind against each other when I stand up from UD, that much I have guessed already. So my plan is - again work on quad/psoas/abs strength for another week before even attempting to stand up, and see if it helps. If not, I might need some technique remediation.
Work is waiting.
Happy Thursday!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Delusions of immortality
There is something to be said of being a child in a man's body. Children think they would live forever; they do not take care of themselves. Over the years, my cousin grew overweight and developed a bunch of ailments, including diabetes, which went undiagnosed. He learned about them only three days before his death. He had a stroke, which was undoubdetly a result of unhealthy living. People just shouldn't die in their early forties. My heart is so heavy now. I am thinking about all my other relatives and friends left back in Kazakhstan; how inadequate the health care is there; what kind of unhealthy traditional diet they are eating and how little they can do to improve their health because they are in a constant struggle for survival. So sad.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Big crunch.
I do not have any time anymore. Between preparation for the classes, grading the homework, teaching and working in the lab the only time that is left is for yoga and sleep. Thank God for the upcoming long weekend. I might be able to catch up with cleaning and reading a little. I miss my blogosphere friends! I hope things will cool down a little when I develop suitable routines; at the moment, thought, it feels like a constant rush to catch up.
Sending a big electronic hug - happy Friday!