Went to the 1 hour restorative, which was great. I got there early and did a bit of headstand, plough and shoulderstand before the class started. In this beginner/restorative we never do these poses, and my body wanted them. I know my body pretty well & know that I can do these without a lot of warm up. You may need more warmup before them, so know your body before you try this!

In the class we did a lot of hamstring work, which was really important for me. My left hamstring is still pretty tight. I know I just need to “get over the hump” with it, but it’s a process with which I need to have/find patience. We did do a pose that starts with padottanasana. From this forward bend position, we placed the left hand on right ankle and right hand on hip, pulling the face toward the knee and then looking up & raising our arm upward in a sort of twisting triangle. I don’t recommend trying this without being warmed up, and really, without an instructor walking you through it. It’s a great stretch, but I can see where you could easily get hurt by making a mis-step. Still, for me, it worked the heck out of my hinky left hamstring. We did lots of hip work as well, which helps me with hamstring release.

I realized last night, going slow with the beginners, that I haven’t been doing enough to opening my sitting bones lately, and I think that’s part of my new focus. Doing this helps me with these hamstring issues. In Thursday’s flow class, I’ll be keeping my mind focused on this area.

Oh, and I did notice that the back of my left knee is tight. This really stood out for me when we did Virasana. Sure, this pose looks easy, but done right it is hard for many. You don’t just sit on your heels. You roll your calves outward and sit between your feet. Ideally, all of your toes rest on the ground. I need a block under my butt, and my littlest toes don’t touch the ground. I’m working toward it…practice…practice…practice. And, I’m getting better. But, last night this pose pointed out that some of my left hamstring stuff is hung up in the knee.

Workout:

  • Type: Flexibility
  • Date: 01/30/2008
  • Time: 18:00:00
  • Total Time: 1:00:00.00