Days 5 and 6: ISHTA & Sankalpah June 18th, 11:15 am 5:30 pm ISHTA June 19th 8:15 am

After the intense back pain from thursday I drifted over to ISHTA for a restorative class mid morning. All I can say is that I will be back again and again. All the walking and carrying big bags and just everyday life can really catch up to you. I had to make time for myself to relax and let go. This was the perfect place to do just that. Gina was a lovely teacher and knew just what adjustments to make for me to ease into a deeper stretch and state of relaxation. She had a great sense of humor too, which I always apreciate in people (not just yoga teachers). She lit an aromatherapy candle and gave us all little eye pillows to use when we were in poses on our backs. That had to be the icing on the cake for me. I am a relative newby to the practice of restorative yoga...I guess I must of thought that my body didn't need much restoration, but I could not have been more wrong. I think I have some pent up stress, tension and anxiety to release (Gina I apologize in advance) so I will make this a part of my weekly routine. I clearly must have been feeling good after Gina's class because I went to Isaac's class at Sankalpah the same day 5 hours later! (NOTE TO SELF: stop parking your mat so close to the back wall...you don't actually like that spot! Stop trying to hide!) Class was great, just the amount of intensity I could handle. I am trying to listen to my body more. The problem is that my mind is obnoxiously loud! I guess I will just tack that on my list of TO DOs then mercifully try to let it all go when I am in Gina's class :) Isaac has a good eye and pretty much shows up at my mat just when I think about possibly going easy on myself...THANK YOU a thousand times for that. Everyone needs a good kick in the pants some time.

DAY 6! ISHTA: 8:15 am Raquel

I didn't think I would make it to this very early Saturday morning class. I set my alarm nevertheless for 6:50 am to make it in time from my apartment in East Harlem to the studio on E 11th street. To my surprise, I was up before my alarm and ready to go by 7:15 am. So I headed towards my class feeling quite proud of myself for being one of a few people up and out buzzing around town this early on the weekend! As I settled into class I had an "ah ha moment" (yes I love me some Oprah) I felt like yes, this is what I will continue to rise early for and travel near and far for, YOGA! I was so beside myself that I couldn't help but smile. All this even before class started. Raquel was an awesome early morning teacher. I'm convinced there is a separate skill set for teaching such early classes, especially in NYC. She was soft spoken and gentle and explained everything very well with great demos. She also encouraged us to feel our breath and movements instead of thinking too much about it. She ended with some cooling breathing exercises and some restorative poses! Yum!

Almost one week down and I am feeling pretty good.

Day 4: Sankalpah June 17th, 6:00 pm

Dear Body,

It is only day four and you are acting up. Please cut this out asap. Thank you kindly!

Now that I have said my peace, hopefully my lower back will ease up and RELAX. I had a stressful day so maybe that is why my back is pinched and screaming? I think I actually need to ice it...hmmmm maybe now while I watch my dose of reality tv (Bethenny Getting Married on Bravo...don't judge!) Im so tired from Isaac's class that a good sleep is just what I need. But his class is just what your body asks for, that could be because he asks every person what they want to do in class and then carefully crafts it based on us! Whatever he does, he does it well and it keeps loads of people coming back for more (me included)! Tomorrow I will be at ISHTA for the 11:15 am restorative class...just what MY body needs.

Day 3: ISHTA June 16th, 1:45 pm

Class this afternoon with Jason at ISHTA was really great. It was a small class of three so we all got a lot of hands on adjustments and attention. Jason helped me to understand a better way to express my chaturanga so I dont keep stressing my lower back out. The sway in my back that looks so great in jeans and dresses doesn't help me much when I am in yoga class searching for stability in my low back and core! I think I can still feel the red velvet cake somewhere in my tummy...no good! Im doing better though now with the sugar cravings as I sip homemade ginger, mint and lemon tea. Im so excited for day 4 of class at Sankalpah. My friends Hiedi and Maria will be joining me and it's sure to be a hot, intense class. Isaac is teaching, which can only mean wonderful things as everyone just soaks up his every word and movement, all the while completely inspired by everything he does! So far week 1 is going well.

Day 2: ISHTA June 15th, 7:30 pm

I didn't really feel like going to class today and it's only day 2! I blame it on the layers of red velvet cake I consumed over the last two days and nights while celebrating Eleanor's 24th birthday. But who could cave on day 2!!! I wouldn't be able to live with myself! So off again to ISHTA for the final class of the day. The teacher was HILARIOUS! Peter was light hearted and gregarious and it made the class fly by with ease and grace. He brought his sense of humor to the mat and it made his class great, not just good. I will definitely be returning to his classes whenever I can get there. A good belly laugh during downward dog never felt so right! Hopefully the lunchtime class I plan on taking tomorrow at ISHTA can live up to Peter's class. Even though it's only Tuesday night...I am looking forward to class/day 4 at Sankalpah. I am going with 2 good friends to take Isaac's class...I have described his class as like going to church...enough said! :)

Day 1: ISHTA June 14th, 8:15 pm

After eating a massive bon voyage lunch at Ruby's in Soho (Eleanor's last meal before heading back down under) I didn't feel much like a yogini that was ready to start a 60 day personal challenge. So I waited until the last possible minute and took the final class at 8:15 pm with Cassandra at Ishta. It was just what I needed. We did a lot of restorative poses and she was very easy and gentle with us this late at night. Don't get me wrong though, I did sweat a lot. She also sang a beautiful chant towards the end of class that was so soothing and calming. I am so glad that I finally got to class, despite the food baby that was growing inside of me!