Oct 29, Noon

Today was a great class. Heat was just right for me, stayed in all the postures (was a second or two late getting into Floor Bow, my nemesis, but I forced myself to stay in a second past "change" so I didn't cheat myself), and just felt happy and lovely.

I was thinking about the tricks I have to play on myself sometimes to keep going in a class and not sit/lie down. These are the ones I use most often:

- I tell myself "just one more posture." Before every posture. If I think "Only 19 more to go," it's just too much. So, I think about just one more. This has gotten me through a whole yoga class many times.
- If I do the floor series fine but start getting frustrated on the floor, I tell myself, "You have done 75% of the class and you are going to give up now? Don't let all your hard work go to waste." This is sort of the opposite theory from the first one.
- I remind myself that I *like* the yoga. I go to class because I choose to, not because anyone forces me to. So if I like it, then just go ahead and do it already!
- If there is a beginner behind me, I tell myself I should set a good example for them.

Today I found myself doing something else. I was smiling during Savasana. It was snowing at my house today (I say my house because we live up a mountain, and so driving down into town, it wasn't snowing anymore). Part of the reason that we recently moved to a new town was because we lived somewhere with no snow and I missed it. I was really happy to see the fluffy white stuff this morning. I took this joy with me into class. I smiled during Savasana. I think I am going to add another technique to my list to try out during tough classes:

- Smile during Savasana. And maybe the rest of the yoga postures, too. :)