I love Core Fusion Yoga. I just love it. I look forward to Sundays because that is the only day I can take it with my schedule. Which works out really well because I am training for the NYC Half Marathon and Sundays are my long run days. So I run for over an hour in the morning, go home to shower, rest and ice my knees and then go to Core Fusion Yoga in the afternoon.

I just want to explain quickly that I have had knee issues for years. An MRI showed patella femoral pain syndrome and bursitis. My physical therapist, upon examination, explained that I have valgus, which means my knees each bend inwards. This poor alignment is likely part of the reason my knees hurt. The other reason? Weak muscles! The muscles around my knee were never strong and therefore not able to support my body. This, in turn, put all the weight of my body on my knees. Not good!

Part of the reason I was so excited for this Core Fusion Challenge was because I knew if anything can strengthen up the muscles around my knees and build stability around my joints, it is Core Fusion. The thighs section is tough and you WILL build muscle from doing it.

That said, I need to stick with Core Fusion longer. My left knee, which I consider my “bad” knee, does not hurt at all. But now I have the same pain in my right knee only after long runs. It gets better each week, though.

So Core Fusion Yoga is the perfect post-run stretch (which I probably wouldn’t do very well on my own) and it is also easier on my knees than Core Fusion. There are some movements in the class that hurt my knees on a long run day, particularly when we are on our hands and knees and stretch one leg behind us, then bend it, stretch it, bend it again. During this, I just can’t bend my leg because the knee hurts, so instead I keep my leg straight and lift it when the class bends. Still a great movement for my butt!

Barbara is just so awesome. She makes me feel very comfortable and gives words of encouragement throughout the class. The hour goes by quickly and I really can’t believe how much I sweat during Core Fusion Yoga. It is crazy! Such a great workout.

When we got to the C Curve, though, I had a very tough time. Even more so than usual. Part of the problem is that we hold the heavy cork yoga block, but even after I decided to abandon it, I still struggled. A lot. I knew I wasn’t in the right position and when I got myself lower, I couldn’t hold myself up. I need more help with this.

And then class was over and of course I felt amazing. Other than my struggles with the abs section, I really enjoyed this class and loved every second of it. Sometimes before class I feel like I’d rather just stay home and be lazy on a Sunday, but as soon as it is over I am just so happy I went.

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On Friday, I tried to sign up online for the Saturday morning 9:30 Core Fusion class. I had brunch at 11 with my friends from middle school and thought it would be perfect to get my workout out of the way! But when I tried to sign up, I was shocked to see the class was already full. I’ve encountered full classes before, but usually not an entire day in advance. I called up, hoping they reserve some spots for phone sign ups, but they told me the class was overbooked and I could try calling in the morning. I decided to just stalk the website in case someone canceled – and it worked. I got in!

Bergen was teaching, and I had heard wonderful things about her. I had assumed she was the reason class was so full, but it turns out she just started teaching at Central Park South on Saturday mornings. Guess it’s just a popular time?

I had a lot of props in my little spot this day. I’m one of the only people, if not the only person, who keeps yoga blocks during class. I need them for standing splits because my arms can’t reach the floor. And people usually take one or two sets of weights. I took three. I wanted to use 4 lbs for biceps and 3 for most else, but in case the 3 was too much I also wanted 2 lbs with me. And of course I had my strap, my towel, my key and my water bottle. Lots of stuff!

These ladies next to me already took mats though, which we generally get towards the end of class. They introduced themselves to Bergen as “regulars” and told her they heard nice things about her.

Class began and once again I was able to hold myself up during the entire plank! Bergen mixed in side planks, and I usually collapse down in the move from side back to regular plank. But today I held myself up! It wasn’t a fluke the other day, I really am getting better at planks.

Arms seemed to go on forever. And in more improvement news, I did not pick up my 2 lb weights at all! After using the 4 lbs, the 3 felt nice and light and I didn’t need to use the 2 lbs. I might continue to keep them with me a little longer just in case, but I think that soon I won’t need them, even for security. I can see more muscle definition in my arms.

We went to the bar for thighs and I had saved my spot with my strap wrapped around the bar. But when I got there, another lady took my spot and brought her own strap. What! Weird, since the spot next to it was open — so why didn’t she just take that? AND I had to lean over to her and remove my strap from her newly claimed area.

Thighs was hard, as per usual, but I have to say the music was really great. I don’t often notice the music because I have too much else to focus on, but I caught a couple songs and really liked them. I did have to stand up a few times during thighs. Even though I can tell I am improving, sometimes it just hurts too much.

I knew glutes would be different when Bergen announced we were doing the “Elisabeth Halfpapp special.” (Elisabeth is one of the founders of Core Fusion.) I had no idea what I was in for! We rested our elbows on a little wooden ledge above the bar, which seemed nice until we started doing the butt exercises. This was SO HARD. Like, really, really hard. I’ve never done this before in class so I love learning all the new exercises, but it was not at all easy. I dread the moment we are instructed to turn our leg out because that is what really makes the side of my butt with my standing leg burn!

For abs, we looped the strap around the bar twice, curled down and did a series of exercises that way. I’ve been in class where we’ve done this a few times before, though it is rare. I like it because it is a very tough abs workout that I feel like I can actually do better than holding myself up in a C Curve. We still did the C Curve too, but spent less time on it. It was a nice change of pace for me, especially since I still struggle with the C Curve.

After class, the self proclaimed “regulars” approached Bergen to thank her for the class and tell her they were testing her, and that she passed their test. I was relieved to hear she passed their test, because if that wasn’t a great class, then what is?

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