Feeling stronger

Today I noticed that I am feeling stronger. I haven't improved in yoga much, but I am starting to feel more aware of myself physically in a way that seems....stronger.

The teacher for this morning's class was the same as yesterday, although she did a different program. As usual, it was very good, and I came home hungry and glowing. I believe the whole immersion in yoga is having side effects - I drive more slowly both to and from yoga. My awareness of things around me feels heightened, too.

As all practitioners know, the practice of yoga has a strong spiritual side - nothing overt - and I think I'm benefiting from that, too. All of the teachers have mentioned things like awareness, mindfulness, etc. while we are doing the poses; it really helps, I find, to be reminded of the mind-body connection and reassured that it isn't just all about the physical activity.

I would say the spiritual side of yoga practice is what is engaging me, so much more than the boot camps I attended in the spring. Of course, boot camps are very useful as a way of getting people involved in regular exercise; it's just that for me, the serenity of yoga is what I need right now and am appreciating very much, rather than the busy-ness that is boot camp.

Another good thing today was to go for another Bowen treatment - I had gone to one last week because of my hip pain, and I asked Manon about having a treatment for my ongoing sinus congestion. So that's what I did today. Having a Bowen treatment is blissful - I struggle to stay awake, I become so relaxed. I won't know for a few days if it did the trick with the sinuses, but I am hopeful. Certainly Bowen got rid of my frozen shoulder, which has helped me in my yoga practice.

Again, no cardio - a beautiful, hot day was delightful to observe and to drive around in, but I was not inspired to go for a walk, especially since the only time available to me today was in the hottest part of the day!

But I am ok with what I am doing, in fact, more than ok. I have been faithful in doing my food journal as well as going to yoga, and I continue to look for ways to improve without throwing on the equivalent of a hair shirt!