Day 11: Denver Does Downward Dog Tired (YOGA)

It's amazing how much better this week felt. I have my resistance towards Yoga X to begin with, but last week my stomach was killing me and a torturous session became the equivalent of a death sentence! I survived this session, despite some balance issues that seemed to be shared by Dallas this week. I was great on the "Tree" pose, embarrassing on the "Royal Dancer" pose, and I brought it to the "Toe Lock" pose! (That's the one where you stand up and grab your toe while straightening your leg completely. I do a double hand grab on this. Yeah, that's right!)

Of course to get to that point you have to make it through the million "Downward Dogs." I was much better in the first 45 minutes. It's still impossible to make it through the 1 leg "Half-Moon" and all subsequent poses. My legs, which I consider strong, just can't take it.

A couple of musings: I'm wondering if Dallas knows what the heck Tony is talking about when he says "Do the push-up if you want/have to?" when moving from Chataranga to Downward Dog. I do not know how to do this without a push-up. The one time Tony says he chooses "not" to do this, the camera cuts away (one of several, minor but annoying editing snafus throughout the program!).

I am able to do the final balance posture (Crane?) for about 15 seconds at a time without putting down my toes. I don't know how anyone can do that for the full amount of time.

I like the stretching a lot, and I didn't hate Yoga Belly 7 Deadly Poses like I usually do. When I tried to start up the program the last two times after the first successful 90 days, the yoga is what usually set me up for failure. I never had the desire to take the 90 minutes to do the Yoga X, and then it would feel like there was no point in sticking to the plan. I think that is the key. Avoid missing a day at all costs.

Another thing I think I have noticed. Tony says the tip of the day is to clear your mind completely. When I have a good balance day (or Yoga day in general) I am completely committed to doing it. When I am already thinking about it being over, it takes longer and I don't do as well. So if I am in a hurry, I can count on a lousy Yoga session. Your post made it sound like you were in a hurry, so maybe that affected your balance. I know when I start thinking about my to-do list, I usually end up on my rear!

Keep Bringing it!