6- Community

Namaspa, the community class- Namaspa offers a great class at 4:00 on Tuesdays.  The class is less full than the 5:30 class.

Previously, the instructors have said that core work never gets easier.  I found a couple of cheats that made it easier!  Not that I want to cheat my self, but if I have to not do the core work at all becasue its too difficult, then a small cheat is better than laying flat on my back.

Ususally we lay on our backs with our legs (supposedly) hinged 90d. at the hips- toes to the ceiling. Yeah, I can not do that.  So I bend by knees and do the sit-ups with that modification.  It's relieving to know I can do the sit ups and yes, they are difficult. I highly recommend taking the modification suggestions if you find yourself in distress.  There is no sense in punishing yourself rather than caring for yourself.

My sweat factor seemed to drop (not drip) yesterday. I'm not sure if it was a heat issue or some personal phase I was going through. Last weeks torrential downpour of sweat gave way to a mist last night.  I even brought a towel to sop it all up!

I continue to feel stronger, have better posture and now, am noticing, I have a measurable increase in my flexibility. I am still at 178 lbs.

When I sit, I sit taller and actually feel the curve of my lower back feeling strong and engaged. I am sitting on my 'sit-bones' rather than rolling just behind them and resting on the muscle in my gluteous maximus (my arse).

Not one minute of this practice has been time wasted, nor disappointing. Absolutely, it has taken effort and intent. Rather than mindlessly careening out of control towards ill-being, I am being mindful and in control of my health.

How many times have you bellied up to a table, inhaled some pizza/burger/greasy lunch and not really thought of the consequence? How many times have you come home from work, turned on the TV and sat for 2/3/4 hours, had a drink or two, then take your slowly deteriorating temple to bed.  Toss, turn, ache, fret, flop lather-rinse-repeat...?

You can continue on that path and more likely than not, you will continue to achieve those results.

You can step up, and in one short week have results that will leave you thankful for your commitment and begging for more.

For me, it is a simple decision. Choosing health takes effort but it is an effort worth giving. Choosing hedonism takes no effort but leaves me with an undesirable result.

Oh god, listen to me...  I sound like a ridiculous television advertisement. THAT was not one of the desired results.

Namaste-