doubles

Hi Annie

What a luxury! Being able to do back-to-back doubles is a real treat. One of the amazing things I have found is that my breath is so deep and rhythmic when I get up to do my next class. It is an incredible experience. There is no adjustment to be made (to your consciousness, to your presence) – you feel in the flow and oh-so-focused.

Amy just posted while I am writing this. I made an assumption in my answer. If what you meant by doubles is 2 in the one day then I feel great doing that too. And, frankly there is much more possibility of that than the back-2-backs I used to do before having a family. The more often you go the deeper the benefits. And yes, getting physically deeper into the pose itself is a great yardstick for ‘pose progress’.

Amy, go ahead, and try it. I say it only because it seems to be something you are curious about and maybe over intellectualizing (hence the use of the word ‘brave’ 😉 ). While the experience is in the great unknown for you, you can only guess whether you are ready. The worst thing that could happen? You can’t do it and you don’t finish the class. So what? I like to set up the possibility of doing that kind of thing by having the time free. Then at the end of class I just go with the flow. Try not to think about it. Just get up and solve the mystery! You will either go and have a shower or start Pranayama. No pressure. :cheese:

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

I am also considering doing double, but not back to back class. I mean class say at 10am and another at 2pm or later. Due to work schedule and other commitment, I can only practice on Saturdays or Stat holiday, maybe Sundays. If I do doubles and maybe one on Sunday, that means I am practicing three times a week. Do you think this is ideal or not and doable? Or is it better to do every other day – mon, wed and fri? But it is just impossible due to schedule.

Now how do I prepare for doubles (morning and afternoon class). Do I need to drink double amount of water if I do back to back class. What about morning, break and then afternoon class? Can I eat between class?

I have asked the staff and they don’t recommand doing it unless I am ready for it.

Hi Jeffrey

Regarding 2 classes in one day. I was going to give you some links to other past discussions but I think you have probably found some already! 😉 In case you haven’t done so, here are some word suggestions you could use in those searches: “back to back” or “double”.

You may already have found my comments as well. When it comes to 2 on one day I imagine that you are the only one who can tell you are ready to do your second class.

Do your first class with the simple understanding that your second class is just a possibility. Know the time you should stop eating in order for you to attempt your second class, drink enough and yes, even take an electrolyte supplement on that day. Organize in your head that at say, 90 minutes before class (and not before) you check in to your body and you see whether you are able to attend. You want to rid your mind of the destabilizing forces of anticipation and procrastination. Just preset the markers in your mind and then forget it.

It’s a body more than a mind thing. You want to check that your body has sufficiently recovered, not listen to internal voices of what you should or shouldn’t be doing. I used to do that for the 8am and 4pm class on Saturdays. At 2:30pm I would see how I felt.

And for what it’s worth, you go to your second class and you should treat it like any other. If you can’t manage something you don’t do it. Simple really! The first time you do it you will wonder what the fuss was about. You have the questions because it is an unknown quantity! Test the waters (with integrity).

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

I do doubles at least once a week.

Sometimes they are consecutive sometimes it’s the first and last(ish) of the day.

I am ALWAYS fully hydrated. It’s just hell not to be when you’re practicing every day! It’s easier to practice every day than take a break and lose the momentum!

The water I drink during class consists of 1/2 litre of coconut water with the other litre mixed with half an aloe leaf.

I always practice on an empty stomach in the morning so my energy is always directed to my practice instead of faffing about with digesting food – what a waste!