This past Tuesday I did something I hadn’t done in a few months; a double header.

Instead of my usual day in the studio, standing at the end of the desk and poking through Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, I rushed from work (having scarfed down some food as I finished up replying to some emails) and got here in good time for Katie’s 6:30 class. 

I had some time for a cup of tea and a chat with Katie, Tara, Mango, Dave, Libbie and Nat before class started. Mango had taught the 5 pm class, and we were told by several students to “punish her” for the tough class she lead. All in good jest, I hoped. Nevertheless, Mango and I told Katie we wanted to push our limits and get the most out of the class.

Once in the hot room, after Katie had gotten us all to our feet, she pointed to Mango and I, and told the class that we had requested a more challenging class, and to take it up with us after if anyone had a problem.

I smiled and laughed outwardly. Inwardly, I cursed and filled with dread.

Katie did not disappoint.

The heat of the many bodies, combined with a beautiful, warm, sunny day, gave the room that extra-hot feeling and Katie made the utmost use of it. Flows joined several poses together, with variations on each flow adding an extra flare and challenge to the class (“right leg up, left leg up, super slow!”). I honoured my body and stopped every now and again, occasionally not taking the “optional” flows. I felt energized, though, for being singled out. I knew there could be eyes on me (especially since my preferred spot is at the front of the room) and so I did my best to focus on each pose, to stay present and mindful, and to push myself as best I could. 

As the class finished I rested back in savasana. My heart was racing and so was my mind. I felt energized, excited. Everything in my life seemed like it made sense. I was going to be a yoga teacher (SPOILER ALERT: I still am) and carpe diem and all that. After a nice interlude, I walked carefully and slowly out of class, walking straight up to the desk and signing up for the 8:00 meditation.

After a shower I set my mat up in meditation near the open window, feeling the soft, cool breeze and listening to the gentle sounds of the neighbourhood behind us. Tara guided us through a meditation, encouraging us to let our thoughts settle. I followed through, but truthfully, my mind was still racing with plans. I felt like this night was *the* night. This was when everything was going to change, this was where I’d point back to. This is where my book would start.

The meditation became more focused. We moved through alternate nostril breathing, Om and I Am meditations before coming back to the room and finishing the class. I practically ran out of the studio. I was planning my interview on the Daily Show for the award-winning, game-changing book I was going to write and all the amazing things I was going to do.

The next morning I woke up and only a little spark of that fire was left. I went about my day, went to work, thought about things a bit and came here to write this blog.

The mix of the two classes was wonderful. It did energize me, and I do feel like that mix of pushing myself physically and settling down mentally helped clarify my mind and drive me forward. I keep coming back to that feeling, and have made several decisions today that came out of that last night.

But that’s the thing no one ever tells you. When inspiration strikes, when you have a great idea and feel like you can take on the world, you run out and start it and it feels so easy and natural.

It’s the day after that that’s the really tough day. You’ve changed, but everything else is the same. You have to keep constantly searching for that next inspiration, that next catalyst, the next thing to push you forward and keep you moving towards your dreams.

Like, say, writing your experiences into a blog post.