The Law School Transplant - If you don't find me helpful, hopefully you'll find me at least mildly entertaining.

If you’re just now getting here, head on back to the beginning of the 21-day challenge so you can get caught up!

I had so many things on my to-do list today, but my plan of action was somewhat foiled when I woke up late,  complete with a headache, sore throat and the sneezes. I did what I could, but I have been moving a bit slow all day. Sometime late in the afternoon my dad called and asked if I wanted to go with him to Costco, which of course I did. And, because that place sucks you in and removes all sense of time like a Vegas casino, it was well after dark when we emerged from Bulk Quantity Paradise. Nonetheless, I forged ahead and completed Day 4. And I am so glad that I did.

The Week 1, Day 4 practice is a 30-minute series of standing poses that focus on building your stability and foundation. It also uses props, which I kind of dig. I do have a block, but don’t have a strap, so I made do with my mat strap (which was a perfectly acceptable substitute). While sequences of virabhadrasana I, virabhadrasana II, and several variations of trikonasana and parsvakonasana usually don’t get me too excited, I loved this practice.

I think the reasons I enjoyed it so much are two-fold: First, the instructor went through a series of leg stretches at the very beginning. I’m not especially flexible, and have particular trouble with tight hips and hamstrings; however, when going into downward dog after all the leg stretches, I was able to immediately get my heels all the way to the floor (ordinarily, I am maybe able to do this after 45 minutes or an hour!). Second, the verbal instructions allowed me to really make sure I was getting into the poses correctly so I got the most out of them. Much like the best live classes I’ve attended, there was lots of guidance on proper alignment, what joints to bend from, etc.

Even though I am not feeling 100% today, I really focused on getting the most out of Day 4, and it ended up being extremely rewarding. I felt so much stronger when I was finished, which gave me the energy and motivation to keep plugging through what’s left of my day. Even though I won’t get everything done that I set out to accomplish today, I’m proud that I managed to push through and do this practice. The other things can wait.

Oh, and by the way, here’s a fun picture from yesterday when I got to meet Jim Courier!