Work your Weakness aka "Hey, Mike, STFU!" Challenge (Page 8)

OK, so I have never taken a Bikram ™ class, but I have taken and taught many hot yoga classes.

We specifically cue to have a slight bend in the knee in all of those poses.  Hmmmm. 

I find that I have a lot more control with the single-leg stuff with that little bit of bend. 

These threads are the most fun when we get derailed :)

----

Leg is feeling pretty good today.  See, all I had to do was call and make an appointment with ortho...lol.  The TR session I did yesterday was "Madison" and it had a series of 6 minutes at FTP (I think it was 6) at different cadences, with stands for 20 leg cycles at the top of each minute.  I definitely noticed both lower legs balking at the standing on the trainer.  I never feel this on the road--weird. 

Swimming was kinda meh today, and I don't know if that's from two days outta the pool or from feeling some fatigue from the run/bike combo yesterday.  Have you guys noticed a drop off in swim performance after just a couple of days off?

That's so interesting. Foam rolling is alright. It's just never hurt the way some people describe it. I don't know that I would ever use pain to describe the feeling. Strange.

When is Ragnar btw? Don't forget the wet wipes  

Thanks!!!! It's super typo-y but whatev. It adds ... character

Traveling this week so no crazy hot rooms for me...just some mindless treadmill action.  And yes, I still did my ^#%#^^# core work.

I made it through the workout doing nothing but flip turns!  I had a few good ones, and I had a few awesomely bad ones.  Two of them I missed the wall completely.  Eventually I got it down.  This is the video that at least got me going in the right direction:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fALuFGfzWjo

The best thing I did towards learning how to flip was slow myself down during the actual turn and focus on the mechanics.  The speed will come once I nail that.

STFU, Mike!

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by jmhpsu93

Got my flexibility work in this morning during Bikram...but I totally mailed it in because I had NUTHIN'.  Base run at lunchtime was much more fruitful.

@switch:  the "locked knee" term in BY refers to your standing leg in all of the straight-leg standing poses (half moon, standing bow, tree, etc.)...I have a habit of letting my knee drift forward a little.  It's kind of counter-intuitive because I've always been told not to lock your knee, but that mainly was for doing squats and other gym work.

That's exactly why I asked!

OK, so I have never taken a Bikram ™ class, but I have taken and taught many hot yoga classes.

We specifically cue to have a slight bend in the knee in all of those poses.  Hmmmm. 

I find that I have a lot more control with the single-leg stuff with that little bit of bend. 

 

Woah, you taught hot yoga?

Can you tell me more about the purpose of hot yoga? I've always been curious.

Some of my friends do it and they aren't allowed to get water during. Which I think is totalled effed.

Originally posted by MSU_Brad

Originally posted by Asalzwed

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by jmhpsu93

Got my flexibility work in this morning during Bikram...but I totally mailed it in because I had NUTHIN'.  Base run at lunchtime was much more fruitful.

@switch:  the "locked knee" term in BY refers to your standing leg in all of the straight-leg standing poses (half moon, standing bow, tree, etc.)...I have a habit of letting my knee drift forward a little.  It's kind of counter-intuitive because I've always been told not to lock your knee, but that mainly was for doing squats and other gym work.

That's exactly why I asked!

OK, so I have never taken a Bikram ™ class, but I have taken and taught many hot yoga classes.

We specifically cue to have a slight bend in the knee in all of those poses.  Hmmmm. 

I find that I have a lot more control with the single-leg stuff with that little bit of bend. 

 

Woah, you taught hot yoga?

Can you tell me more about the purpose of hot yoga? I've always been curious.

Some of my friends do it and they aren't allowed to get water during. Which I think is totalled effed.

At least in Bikram, water intake should be controlled. It's to build discipline. The Bikram mindclones will spin all kinds of lines about it (and many other things), but science could quite easily debunk most of their claims. Regardless, the basic of it is that you are encouraged to hydrate well before hand, which is exactly the right takeaway. You also want to learn to control both your breathing and your motion in order to maintain yourself. I used to do Bikram all the time, and loved the stretch/detox/workout effect of it, even if I hated some of their ridiculous claims that they would nearly brainwash people with in the middle of class. Realistically, gulping in large amounts of water in class isn't going to help. It's too late to get hydrated (would be like starting to drink water late in the bike section of a triathlon instead of properly hydrating well before hand), it's going to upset your stomach a bit to do that, and it isn't going to cool the body as much as relaxing and controlling the effort level. However, I don't believe in prohibiting water. I would normally take in 8 ounces or so during a 90 minute Bikram class. I don't have regular access to it anymore, and I actually miss it...I could use the stretch!

This makes sense. And I believe it to be true of all sports, really. Coming in hydrated, and just generally having good hydration habits is far more important than day of. BUT I don't think a lot of people do this. Particularly "beginner" type people. And I just worry about restricting something so vital.

Yes, I taught a lot more hot pilates (every time I say or write that I think "hot pocket, btw), but yoga too.

I think there are some advantages but they can easily cross the line into "danger" areas if misused. 

I agree with what Brad said about being hydrated before, but we always encouraged people to bring water and drink if needed. Not allowing water is cray-cray, and it is one of the issues I have with some yoga practices.

It is great to maintain acclimitization if you are an athlete that needs to perform in the heat.

The heat increases the cardiovascular component of the yoga, so, in theory, you could get more cardiovascular benefit from it.

The heat makes your muscles warm and warm muscles stretch better than cold ones, so, again, in theory, you can work poses "deeper" in a warm room. 

What I really think is that it is a personal preference thing.  Some people like being warm and sweating more when they work out.  I tend to be more in this camp and feel like I get a "better" workout when the room is warm.  That being said, I don't  like it too warm.  Once we're flirting with 105, I'm shutting the heaters down because it just is too dangerous, and I'm very picky about the humidity levels.

I'd be curious to hear what you think if you try a session.

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by Asalzwed

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by jmhpsu93

Got my flexibility work in this morning during Bikram...but I totally mailed it in because I had NUTHIN'.  Base run at lunchtime was much more fruitful.

@switch:  the "locked knee" term in BY refers to your standing leg in all of the straight-leg standing poses (half moon, standing bow, tree, etc.)...I have a habit of letting my knee drift forward a little.  It's kind of counter-intuitive because I've always been told not to lock your knee, but that mainly was for doing squats and other gym work.

That's exactly why I asked!

OK, so I have never taken a Bikram ™ class, but I have taken and taught many hot yoga classes.

We specifically cue to have a slight bend in the knee in all of those poses.  Hmmmm. 

I find that I have a lot more control with the single-leg stuff with that little bit of bend. 

 

Woah, you taught hot yoga?

Can you tell me more about the purpose of hot yoga? I've always been curious.

Some of my friends do it and they aren't allowed to get water during. Which I think is totalled effed.

Yes, I taught a lot more hot pilates (every time I say or write that I think "hot pocket, btw), but yoga too.

I think there are some advantages but they can easily cross the line into "danger" areas if misused. 

I agree with what Brad said about being hydrated before, but we always encouraged people to bring water and drink if needed. Not allowing water is cray-cray, and it is one of the issues I have with some yoga practices.

It is great to maintain acclimitization if you are an athlete that needs to perform in the heat.

The heat increases the cardiovascular component of the yoga, so, in theory, you could get more cardiovascular benefit from it.

The heat makes your muscles warm and warm muscles stretch better than cold ones, so, again, in theory, you can work poses "deeper" in a warm room. 

What I really think is that it is a personal preference thing.  Some people like being warm and sweating more when they work out.  I tend to be more in this camp and feel like I get a "better" workout when the room is warm.  That being said, I don't  like it too warm.  Once we're flirting with 105, I'm shutting the heaters down because it just is too dangerous, and I'm very picky about the humidity levels.

I'd be curious to hear what you think if you try a session.

 

I'd be willing to try. My body runs pretty hot, so, while I like exercising in the heat I might tend to get TOO hot.

I liked Yoga when I practiced before. More than anything, it taught me some valuable skills in quieting my mind and channeling my focus.I should mention, I was also awful at Yoga. As in, I needed a crap ton of props because my hamstrings are so tight lol

If I had more time, I think it would be something I would do more.

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by Asalzwed

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by Asalzwed

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by jmhpsu93

Got my flexibility work in this morning during Bikram...but I totally mailed it in because I had NUTHIN'.  Base run at lunchtime was much more fruitful.

@switch:  the "locked knee" term in BY refers to your standing leg in all of the straight-leg standing poses (half moon, standing bow, tree, etc.)...I have a habit of letting my knee drift forward a little.  It's kind of counter-intuitive because I've always been told not to lock your knee, but that mainly was for doing squats and other gym work.

That's exactly why I asked!

OK, so I have never taken a Bikram ™ class, but I have taken and taught many hot yoga classes.

We specifically cue to have a slight bend in the knee in all of those poses.  Hmmmm. 

I find that I have a lot more control with the single-leg stuff with that little bit of bend. 

 

Woah, you taught hot yoga?

Can you tell me more about the purpose of hot yoga? I've always been curious.

Some of my friends do it and they aren't allowed to get water during. Which I think is totalled effed.

Yes, I taught a lot more hot pilates (every time I say or write that I think "hot pocket, btw), but yoga too.

I think there are some advantages but they can easily cross the line into "danger" areas if misused. 

I agree with what Brad said about being hydrated before, but we always encouraged people to bring water and drink if needed. Not allowing water is cray-cray, and it is one of the issues I have with some yoga practices.

It is great to maintain acclimitization if you are an athlete that needs to perform in the heat.

The heat increases the cardiovascular component of the yoga, so, in theory, you could get more cardiovascular benefit from it.

The heat makes your muscles warm and warm muscles stretch better than cold ones, so, again, in theory, you can work poses "deeper" in a warm room. 

What I really think is that it is a personal preference thing.  Some people like being warm and sweating more when they work out.  I tend to be more in this camp and feel like I get a "better" workout when the room is warm.  That being said, I don't  like it too warm.  Once we're flirting with 105, I'm shutting the heaters down because it just is too dangerous, and I'm very picky about the humidity levels.

I'd be curious to hear what you think if you try a session.

 

I'd be willing to try. My body runs pretty hot, so, while I like exercising in the heat I might tend to get TOO hot.

I liked Yoga when I practiced before. More than anything, it taught me some valuable skills in quieting my mind and channeling my focus.I should mention, I was also awful at Yoga. As in, I needed a crap ton of props because my hamstrings are so tight lol

 

If I had more time, I think it would be something I would do more.

knowwhatimsayin.

 I knew I could trick you into a complement! Allllll part of my plan.

Originally posted by switch

Originally posted by jmhpsu93

Got my flexibility work in this morning during Bikram...but I totally mailed it in because I had NUTHIN'.  Base run at lunchtime was much more fruitful.

@switch:  the "locked knee" term in BY refers to your standing leg in all of the straight-leg standing poses (half moon, standing bow, tree, etc.)...I have a habit of letting my knee drift forward a little.  It's kind of counter-intuitive because I've always been told not to lock your knee, but that mainly was for doing squats and other gym work.

That's exactly why I asked!

OK, so I have never taken a Bikram ™ class, but I have taken and taught many hot yoga classes.

We specifically cue to have a slight bend in the knee in all of those poses.  Hmmmm. 

I find that I have a lot more control with the single-leg stuff with that little bit of bend. 

 

This was one of the main things I didn't like about Bikrim.  My knee tends to hyper-extend when I lock it so I NEVER lock it.  It feels very wrong in the locked position when I have both feet on the floor let alone just one.  Every other fitness related activity promotes a soft bend in joints and totally avoiding a locked position.  So I had a tough time buying into locking my knee at Bikrim.

Wow, I miss the forum for 24 hours and there's all this talk of sticks, where to leave them, how to properly use them and even Salty making her own.  Dayum!

And you KNOW how I feel about sticks!

Alright I am seriously workin' my weakness this week. Huge emphasis on keeping my body happy.

I ran 15 miles Sunday.

6 miles recovery yesterday, +Strength +Massage

A double today (13ish total) +Strength + Epsom Salt Bath/Icing

I'm beefing up the strength routine. Doing most of my mileage on soft surfaces and taking good care of my body (massage/heat/ice/epsom salt/compression/beer)

Bikram....have done a fair amount over the last few years. It's mostly a winter thing for me. IME the class is only as good as the instructor. The good ones understand people bring all levels of ability and can benefit from just challenging themselves at any level.  I've never once achieved a straight knee during any pose, cant do a toe stand, can absolutely rock eagle pose (that's the easy one) and usually want to puke during camel. While I like the feeling I get from challenging my strength, balance and flexibility in a "hot' environment I get bored doing the same series of poses. over. and. over. Honestly, I get bored ST and stretching, period. That's why these challenges are great. 

I've done fairly well on my ST goals. My glutes were actually sore on Sunday. That hasn't happened in a long time. The diet has been ok. Some good days though. 

Today was a "rest" day. No work on the calendar and it was gorgeous. Had one of my prison puppies so there was a lot of outside time. I really love fall. 

Kick butt!!  I thought of you and your flip turn trials when I was swimming last night.  I always flip turn......I learned to swim back in the day so they're as natural to me as the laps that they connect.  But much good it does me when I can never improve the swim times themselves!

I cheated a little and considered work on rotation (my swimming weakness) as my "stability" training for the day.  Does that count???

I say it counts!

Welcome Lovey!  I'll let the yoga'ers chime in on the flexibility stuff.  I do well to touch my toes.

If you have a swim background you should be pretty solid in the water.  What's your pace normally?  What do you think is your limiter?