Wednesday, September 30, 2009

A piece of Humble Pie

Today's Mediation from the Mat starts with a quote from Baron Baptiste. "The prize is in the process." In the entry, Rolf Gates goes on to describe a student who is attached to results. He says that being concerned with results and physical progress goes against the heart of yoga.

As I'm reading this, I'm wondering about my arms. A couple days ago, I posted about the changes in my arms, and how happy those changes made me.

Does that mean I'm too focused on physical progress and results? I hope not. It was good timing though, and I'm glad I read it.

I think it's a good thing to know your body, to recognize changes, to strive for strength... that all leads to better health. And better health is definitely something to be happy about!

I'm going to be more careful now though, more thoughtful. I'm happy to be aware of how easy it is to get focused on the wrong things, and lose sight of what really matters.

Speaking of arms though - they are tired! I did a longer version of the Solar Flow Matrix today, and I feel tired, but in a fulfilling way. Tomorrow, I'm going to give my arms a break and do a restorative practice!

Namaste

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Closed eyes

Have you ever tried standing in Mountain Pose, but with your eyes closed? How about tree pose? Tonight, I spent a lot of time in tree. I varied the arms, focused on breathing, and eventually worked my way towards tree with closed eyes. It is so amazing how much harder it can be to hold a balance pose with out having a 'focus point'. This is yet another thing I want to work on - my inner sense of balance, and my ability to rely on it, without reference to the outside world. Maybe it's an unrealistic correlation, but I feel like mastering that would help me stay calm when everything around me is in chaos. Inward balance - physically and mentally - that's what yoga is all about, right?

Namaste

Monday, September 28, 2009

My arms are changing.

Seriously. My arms are changing, and I love it! I recognize that physical appearance should be one of the lesser concerns in my pursuit of yoga, but it does make me happy to see the physical changes right there in front of my face. It's 'proof in the pudding', and yes, my arms were about as hard as pudding before!

Probably, most people wouldn't notice the changes. But that's ok, because I do. My triceps are starting to have visible definition, and my biceps are getting firmer. Even the area often called 'armpit chest' is getting more toned, less soft.

I think all of this comes from chaturanga dandasana (push up position). So tonight, I went back to Solar Flow, because Shiva uses that pose alot, and encourages you to hover in it. By the end of practice, I was really feeling it in the arms, and I'm happy about it!

This is really reinforcing the fact that when something seems difficult, it's worth the extra attention and hard work to master it. I haven't come close to mastering chaturanga dandasana, but I've been putting so much effort into, and I know that's why I'm reaping these physical rewards.

Namaste

Sunday, September 27, 2009

The Power of Repetition

I'm in a sleepwalking daze, so tomorrow I might find this makes no sense. Today, I'm noticing the power of repetition, and I imagine what is the beginnings of habit.

After a wonderful morning and afternoon of snorkeling, beach going, and sight seeing, I was exhausted. I took a 'nap' which turned into much more. Luckily, my husband woke me up to remind me I hadn't done yoga yet. I crawled out of bed, grabbed my mat, and went through an entire practice by memory, without a struggle.

It amazed me that with my brain effectively turned off since I was still so groggy, my body took over and I flowed through the whole series. I guess that's muscle memory right? And it makes me feel like daily practice is truly turning into a habit!

But, now I'm crawling back into bed. ;)

Namaste

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Just a little bit more.

I was thinking earlier about why I've committed to doing yoga every day for a year, and why I'm writing about it. I was reading Meditations from the Mat, and something I read made it all click. I'm looking for a little bit more.

A little bit more strength.
A little bit more flexibility.
A little bit more stamina.
A little bit more understanding.
A little bit more peace.

When I'm practicing, I'm looking for a little bit more.

A little bit more depth in a pose.
A little bit more balance.
A little bit more relaxation.
A little bit more inner calm.
A little bit more breath.

But I'm also learning about moderation. So I have to be careful to temper that desire for a little bit more, and not take it too far, and not get carried away. A little bit more of these things is good, but going too hard, too heavy, too far, too fast would not be helpful at all! I'm going to keep this in mind, and try to practice moderation while searching for that little bit more.

Namaste.

Friday, September 25, 2009

It's the Little Things

First, I did yoga after Zumba today, much earlier than usual. It is so nice to just watch TV and climb in bed at night, knowing I already fulfilled my commitment today!

I did another neck and shoulder opening exercise, and I was amazed at how much little, tiny movements can make a difference. It seemed like seated shoulder stretches should be relatively easy, but I found them increasingly difficult. With focus and the guidance of the DVD, I realized that there was much more tension in my shoulders than I thought.

Focusing so intensely on one small area made me realize just how much I'm missing when I flow through my practice and don't fine tune each position. Today, I found an openness in my shoulders that had to be cultivated, and that I can hopefully carry into my daily practice with focus and attention.

Namaste

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Yoga for Relief

Today was a headache day, and I was so grateful to have my "Yoga for Stress Relief" DVD ready to go. I did the 45 minute "Tension Headache Relief" practice, and felt so soft afterward, and my headache was much relieved.

With that said, I'm keeping this short. I'm relaxed and ready for bed, and don't want to stare a computer screen or type much! :)

Namaste

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Teacher Training?

Today, I'm thinking about my career path, my passion, and what impact I want to make with my life. I have been considering yoga teacher training for a while now. Thus far, I put it off because I wasn't physically ready. As I get stronger every day with my daily yoga practice, I realize that it would be very easy to always think I wasn't ready. There will always be room for improvement, and weaknesses to overcome. So when do you know it's time?

There is an upcoming 200 hour teacher training session, starting in January. I think by January, with daily practice, I'd be up to the challenge. But the timing isn't great with the rest of my life. Signing up then would create a major scheduling conflict between my husband and I. But will there ever be a 'just right' time?

I was doing Power Yoga this evening, thinking about how I would change the routine if it were 'my' routine... does that mean I'm cultivating the teacher within? Or is it just time to switch to a new 'every day' routine?

I'm full of questions tonight, but not so many answers. ;)

Namaste

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Yoga with Love

Tonight, I had the pleasure of my husband joining me for yoga! What a rarity, and a treat! He's not the most flexible person in the world, but he did it anyway for me. Best of all, he relaxed so much during the supine poses that he was fast asleep by shivasana.

I chose a slow, gentle practice - not just for the benefit of my husband. I went for a long bike ride with my in laws today, and I was feeling the burn myself! I used muscles I don't normally use, so it was nice to stretch them out and feel limber again, after feeling tight and scrunched up this afternoon.

Namaste

Monday, September 21, 2009

Jello Legs

I got behind in reading my Meditations from the Mat. Tonight, after an hour of Power Yoga, I caught up. While I appreciated everything I read, none of it stood out to me as particularly special, and none of it got my mind thinking in any one specific direction.

So, I've got two things to mention. One, I thoroughly enjoyed my practice today, and now I have jello legs from it being such a good workout. That's such a good feeling!

Two, yesterday I went to a wonderful concert, "Two Native Voices". Keola Beamer, a Hawaiian Slack Key Guitarist, and R. Carlos Nakai, a Native American Flutist, joined forces to create something beautiful. While I listened to the guitar, I was mesmerized. While I listened to the flute, I was intrigued. But when I listened to the third set, where they joined the two together, I couldn't help but envision myself practicing flow yoga to the music. The two sounds together created such harmony, and my mind went straight to yoga. There was something magical about it, and I can't wait to get the CD and start practicing to it. I feel very lucky to have been exposed to such beautiful, artistic native music.

Namaste

Sunday, September 20, 2009

So sleepy!

I am so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open. I got through my Power Yoga session, even though I'm ready to collapse.

We hiked today with the in-laws, went to an outdoor craft show, and went to a wonderful concert. The hike was killer, at least for me, and everything else was just icing on the cake.

During the hike, we had to cross a stream 3 times. In an effort to keep my shoes dry, I tried rock hopping. Here is another place in life where tree pose came in handy. Balancing on one foot, and using every muscle in my foot to grab onto that rock and not fall was a serious challenge - one that I rose to because of practicing yoga! Later though, at the far edge of a stream, just as I was about to hop on to dry land, I misplaced my foot and got my sneaker wet. After that, it was too dangerous with wet shoes to navigate the rocks, so I just trudged through the stream, shoes an all. I was so hot and sweaty, so it felt great!

I was afraid I would be too worn out when I got home at 11pm to even think about yoga. But I did my normal routine, and I did it well considering my fatigue. And now with a quiet, calm mind... I'm going to bed!

Namaste

Saturday, September 19, 2009

I almost forgot!

Tonight, I did a practice from Yoga Journal that was all about centering, bringing the focus inward, and quieting the senses. I thought I didn't do very well with those goals, but yet I almost forgot to log on and blog! Maybe I am a little withdrawn from the outside world right now. ;)

Seriously though, the practice was interesting. I felt fidgety, and tried hard to keep bringing my focus back. At the end, I thought it had been to fast, and that I hadn't spent enough time on each pose obviously, since I was done so quickly. But when I looked at the clock, much more time had passed then I realized. Does that mean I was off in la-la land and distracted without realizing it? Or was I really tuning out from the outside world, and tuning in to my body and breath, and losing track of time by doing so?

I'm not sure of the answers tonight, and I'm really too tired to think about it anymore, since I'm doing this so late!

Namaste

Friday, September 18, 2009

Just a quick note...

With 4 people in the house, I'm battling for computer time! Right now, I've got an antsy husband waiting to get back on, so I'm going to make this quick.

I am so proud of my push up pose hover that I actually demonstrated it for my husband tonight! It's really coming along, and that makes me feel good. No, better than that. It makes me feel great!

How's that for fast?

Namaste

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Wishing...

Tonight, I'm wishing I could keep the confidence and inner strength I feel doing yoga going all the time. I'm wishing, because right now, it feels so far from reality. I finished my practice tonight - a vigorous power yoga session - feeling great, feeling strong, feeling accomplished. But then I read something that upset me, and I lost that feeling in an instant. How do you get it back? Even better, how do you not lose it?

When I feel personally attacked, or worse, when I feel someone is attacking someone I love, my heart starts to pound, my breathing gets shallow... I guess it's some version of fight or flight. I don't like it at all, and I recognize that it's an unnecessary reaction. Why can't I breathe through it, focus on calm, see the trivial nature of the problem, etc.?

I was planning on coming here to post about how my neck and shoulder practice has released so much tension that I felt I could arch back in my standing back bends with much more ease tonight. And, my arms are getting so much stronger that for some chaturangas, I'm not using my knees - that's a huge improvement. But then I read that one thing... and I let myself get diverted.

Yoga is definitely not an easy answer, or a cure all for everything. I guess I should focus on the skills I have, and know that I'm working on strengthening them, and with time, I can hope to react better to stressors that really shouldn't stress me at all!

Namaste

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Full House

We've got a full house for a couple of weeks. Family arrived today from upstate New York, and in a tiny 2br, 1ba house, double the people equals quite a crowd ! I'm going to have to be extra dedicated to carve out the quiet time and space for yoga for the next two weeks.

I squeezed in today's practice while my husband was en route to the airport. I don't like to think of yoga as something I 'squeeze in', but some days, that's just the reality. It's better than just pushing it aside completely, right?

With my arm sore from having the burn irrigated today, I focused on my legs. I deepened my lunges, balanced my strength between both legs, and really stretched those heels in downward dog.

It felt great to really work my legs, but more importantly, it felt like I was doing the right thing to choose to create that mental space in my head and in my heart.

Namaste

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

No, not Rice Krispies... my neck! I feel as good as if I just came from my favorite chiropractor, or maybe even my favorite massage therapist! (Both of whom are back in Georgia, and are two of the very few things I miss about that state.)

Tonight, after a long day of errands and working on projects around the house, I did Yoga for Stress Relief - the Neck and Shoulder Tension series. While in the first series of breath related stretches, my neck started cracking and popping. Normally, this would freak me out. I don't like for my joints to make noise, even when I'm paying for it! But if felt so gooooooooood.

I haven't been to a chiropractor in over 6 months, and I've only had one massage in that time too. Normally, I have my atlas adjusted, which makes everything else fall into place on its own. But here in Hawaii, there aren't any chiropractors who use the Atlas Orthagonal method or machine. This makes me sad... but maybe if I keep up the daily yoga, I won't need it as much!

Namaste

Monday, September 14, 2009

Right Action

Today's Meditation from the Mat is so good, I wish I could quote the whole thing! I am really enjoying this book, and looking forward to working through it with the same enthusiasm I have for a good fiction novel.

The entry today is all about the right path, the right action, and working towards knowing ourselves, and what is good for us.

I've heard it talked about so much on shows like Oprah, and in magazines, and I truly believe that the ability to say 'no' is a very empowering thing. We are raised, at least as women, to give as much of ourselves as we can. The more we are able to do, the more successful we are. As a person who loves to volunteer, I always feel a little guilty saying no. But I'm getting better at it.

In the last week, I've been exercising this ability. And I'm really working on not feeling guilty about it, as long as I'm saying no for the right reasons. If I'm saying no to avoid overextending myself, to avoid a precarious situation that I don't think is right for me, or to enable someone else to act and think for themselves instead of relying on others, then these are all good times to say no.

But I'm not saying no to yoga of course! Even with my arm hurting, and feeling a little run down from all the stress of the last week, I'm saying YES to yoga, which is of course saying YES to myself!

Today I practiced with power yoga again. It's amazing how a few 'easy' days to let my arm rest have shown their effects in the rest of my body. But it felt good to do a slightly more vigorous routine, though it was far from difficult. I'll build back up to that, and feel great while doing it!

Namaste

Saturday, September 12, 2009

4 Weeks Have Flown By!

Today marks the completion of 4 weeks of my year of yoga.

Today, my burnt arm is feeling much better, so I decided to ease into yoga with "Yoga for Stress Relief". I'm feeling groggy from so much rest, so even though it's the evening, I did the 'Wake Up Slowly' Routine. I tried a modified down dog, but couldn't hold it for long, because it was too much stretching and pressure on my arm. But it still felt good to do it. I found I couldn't do the shoulder opener, with hands clasped behind the back, rising up. That was too much stretching of the wrist. It was a good practice though, and if nothing else, I am proud of myself for not giving in and giving up!

Namaste

Does Yoga Have a Rule of 3's?

I ask, because today I burned my arm, on the inside below my wrist. I did a pretty bang up job of it too. It's salved and bandaged now, and as committed to my practice as I am, I'm not going to be doing any downward dogs today, that's for sure.

But here's what I did instead. I used yoga in a practical way. While waiting at the clinic, they told me to stop icing it, which really made my pain level spike. So I used pranayama (controlled breathing) techniques I've learned in yoga to help me through it. I laid on my back, and did a body scan, just like in yoga nidra, and then used breathing to work through the pain, and wait patiently. I envisioned breathing into the wound, with the healing power of breath swirling around the pain and helping me to heal. It was a very calming exercise, even if it wasn't really a formal practice.

What better way to practice yoga though, then to use what I've learned to help me in life?

Namaste

Friday, September 11, 2009

Reset! Reset! Reset!

Eh, whatever. Today is just not my day to be zen. Yoga did help - Gentle Vinyasa Flow. Before, I was so angry I was shaking. After, I'm still upset, but at a much, much lower level on the stress scale.

It's so hard when you love someone so much, but you can't do anything to protect them. I dedicated my practice to easing the worries of my husband, but other than that and listening, there's not much I can do.

Today has been challenging on many levels. I'm thankful my yoga practice helped me reduce my stress level, and it's up to me to take it a step further. I need to look at the situation with fresh eyes, and decide what my path will be. Truthful action, right?

Namaste

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Yoga is like...

Yoga is like hitting the reset button on a bad mood. Thank goodness for Yoga. :)

I just want to mention a few things I'm noticing. Camel pose, which I detested in the past, is getting easier, and more fluid. And my standing forward bend is starting to truly represent a forward fold, or at least it feels that way, like I'm bending into two perfect halves. And last but not least, today, I was able to catch those wandering thoughts, and toss them aside. Hence the reset button. I'm feeling much better now, and so happy that I have Yoga to help me work through the obstacles in life.

On another note, today's Mediation from the Mat says, "The truth is that any demon honestly met becomes a friend, and our friends should be treated wisely if we wish them to remain our friends." I'm not able to wrap my head around this tonight. Is a demon met honestly your friend because you learn from it, grow from the experience, and become a better person? But if the demon stays the same... then why would you want to remain friends?

Too much deep thinking... I'd rather ride the wave of calm that came with my practice tonight!

Namaste

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Almost Famous...

Today's Meditation from the Mat started with a quote from one of my top 5 movies - Almost Famous. I was a little surprised at first, but then realized that I shouldn't be, because it's such an awesome movie!

The quote is, "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is the truth that we share with one another when we are being uncool."

This made me think of all the places I've lived, and all the friends I've had. How many of them truly knew me? I think that often, my 'Internet' friends know me better than my real friends. There are less barriers to the truth when your lives don't mix on a daily basis anywhere in reality. Granted, it is much easier to lie on the Internet. But that goes hand in hand with how much easier it is to be yourself.

On occasion, I've become friends in real life with people I've known for years on the Internet, and the friendship comes so much easier, since so much truth is already between us. People who know me on the Internet know much more about my thought processes, my successes, my failures. I recognize that this means I have work to do on my friendships with people I see all the time. I guess this means I'll be continuing with my "sat, nam" meditation, with a whole new angle to ponder.

Oh, and I did practice today of course. My old standby, Power Yoga with Rodney Yee. While I practically know the routine by heart, I'm really focusing on strengthening my Chaturunga Dandasana (four legged staff pose, or push up position) into Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Dog) into Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog) sequence. I'm hoping to get to a point where I can keep my knees and belly off the floor as I flow through the three poses. So I'm going to keep at it, hoping to build up to that.

Namaste

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Satya

I am an honest person. I've always prided myself on that. I avoid lying as much as possible, and being deceitful makes me uncomfortable, and unhappy. But there is one major exception - humor. I love a good laugh, a funny story, a great impersonation. If embellishing a story makes it more humorous, I do it. I usually admit to the embellishment after, and 'fess up to the honest version, with a big smile on my face because I love the funny version as much as I love the truth.

Today's meditation from the mat focuses on the second yama, 'satya' which roughly means truthfulness. According to the Yoga Sutras, "When the practitioner is firmly established in the practice of the truth, his words become so potent that whatever he says comes to realization." This is way I've always to live my life, even before I started yoga many years ago. I've always felt it important that people could know that everything I said was true and honest, and that what I say will come true, because I believe it and act on it. Again though, with the exception of humor.

When I first read the quote, I felt excited and peaceful all at the same time, eager to keep reading something that spoke so clearly to my heart. But then the author said, "Little by little we notice, and then drop, our old habits of embellishment, obfuscation, minimization, self-aggrandizement, omission, rationalization, and exaggeration." Wait... what? To fully embody satya, I have to drop my habits of embellishment and exaggeration? Where is the fun in that?

Because I've so often held being truthful in such high esteem, "sat, nam" has become one of my meditation mantras for inhales and exhales... meaning loosely "truth is my action". Sat, nam, sat, nam, sat, nam. I find it calming, empowering, and humbling all at once. But now I don't know... does it mean I have to be boring too?

I'm feeling perplexed tonight. Does yoga leave no room for humor in an honest life? I sure love a yoga class with a few laughs, and a life full of laughter, so I hope not. Maybe I need a new meditation mantra... sat, nam, lol. ;)

Namaste

Monday, September 7, 2009

On my Own, In the Quiet

Today I practiced silently. No DVD. No iTunes yoga mix. Just me, and the natural rhythm I'm developing by practicing every day. Me and the sound of my breath. I was happy to find how much more the breath comes into focus without the sound of a DVD, a CD, or a classroom full of people to drown it out.

I did my own version of yoga flow, with attention on continuous, balanced breaths. I did pretty good, until I fell out of a balance pose. That was my signal that I was tired, and I brought it to a close with some basic supine twists, and then relaxation pose.

It was a nice change, practicing in silence. So relaxing, and invigorating all at once.

Namaste

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Power Yoga Vinyasa Flow

I feel good! And strong! Tonight, I did an intermediate Rodney Yee DVD - Power Yoga Vinyasa Flow. It was challenging, but it felt fantastic. I haven't been in Wheel pose (a full back bend) in a long time, so that was a nice change.

Huffing and puffing into that back bend reminded me of days when I could do back bends, walkovers, and all kinds of other gymnastics positions all day long without batting an eye. Where does that flexibility go? And when did I start to feel so heavy? I don't remember ever thinking 'Oh Gosh, my arms might collapse under my own weight' when I was a kid. I could walk around in a back bend like an inverted crab, and never felt too weak for it.

More importantly, where does that confidence in our bodies go? I never doubted myself, the thought of it didn't even cross my mind. But now, I'm filled with doubt. Will I be able to get up onto my head? Can I push up into the position? Can I hold it? Can I extend? Will I collapse? Doubt, doubt, doubt!

I did it though. It wasn't my prettiest back bend, and not my strongest. But I did it, and afterward, I think I was probably glowing with pride. Tonight my confidence got a boost, and self doubt got a swift kick in the ass.

Thank you Yoga!

Namaste

Saturday, September 5, 2009

So Stuffy, So sleepy

Tonight, I sort of cheated, but I'm ok with that. I started a yoga routine, but I didn't make it all the way through. I stopped early, because I am just so darn stuffy and tired that it was hard to focus and relax. I think it's ok though. I have to respect where my body is today, right? And right now, it's headed for a box of kleenex.

Tomorrow will be a better day. What matters is I still practiced, even if it wasn't for as long as I had originally planned. Off to bed...

Namaste

Friday, September 4, 2009

My first problem in a pose

I encountered an issue today in a pose that made me uncomfortable. While in shoulder stand, I felt like I crunched something in the front of my throat. It didn't hurt, but it didn't feel right. I released, took a few breaths, and tried again, only to have the same exact problem. I adjusted my position, and tried once more, to no avail. I've balanced in shoulder stand many times before, and have never experienced this sensation, so I'm not sure what's happening.

I've been toying with the idea of a private yoga session, and this is making me consider it even more. I'd like to work with someone on fine tuning my problem areas. Practicing every day seems like it might exacerbate any bad habits I'm unaware of.

I had been hoping to sign up for a Yoga Basics workshop that goes into each basic pose in depth, discussing alignment, contraindications, etc. It's a series of two hour sessions for four consecutive Saturdays. But it's just not working out with my schedule. Since I won't be able to attend the workshop, I'm thinking one private session might give me the tools I need. This is where practicing at home gets dicey, when something doesn't feel right and there's no instructor to ask for guidance. I definitely can't afford to take a class every day, but I think one private session might give me a better base of knowledge to work with at home.

On another note, today's Meditations from the Mat said something interesting. According to the author, a guru was asked, "What will be the undoing of humanity?" and he answered, "The separation between you and me." The author continues to say that the first yama - ahimsa, or nonharming - requires us to abandon the notion of that separation. This concept boggles my mind, because I've always considered it a good thing to separate myself from those I feel have undesirable character and morals. Catholic education drills that into your head and your heart. It's almost too foreign a concept for me to really grasp, and I'll be thinking about it in the days to come.

Namaste

Thursday, September 3, 2009

From Anger to Bliss

This evening I could feel anger welling up inside me, and I don't really know where it was coming from. I had no patience, no empathy. Even kittens were annoying me! Kittens!

I thought that it was a good opportunity to try the new Yoga for Stress Relief DVD that arrived yesterday. From the many options, I chose 'Evening Yoga to Quiet the Mind'. It was calming, but I was still not feeling at ease even after 40 minutes, so I added another sequence for quieting the mind that was similar to Yoga Nidra. The DVD guides you through a relaxation exercise that is very detailed and slow.

There is a certain point of relaxation that I actually find uncomfortable. When I did Biofeedback Therapy, I learned that I can relax my muscles beyond the point that most people can, but at a certain point, it begins to feel like a loss of control for me, and conversely, I start to get anxious. With this DVD, I actually got to that point of relaxation again, which is amazing. I've never gotten there without someone else guiding me into it. Because of Biofeedback, I recognize the feelings of unease for what they are, and can slowly take a few mental steps back to my comfort zone, which I did tonight.

Having completed the two sequences, I can't even imagine why I was so angry before. And I really don't even want to think about it! I just want to dwell in this sense of peace I have now, and enjoy it.

Namaste

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Yoga with friends

Today I had the wonderful experience of Yoga with friends. Instead of being a stranger in class, I had familiar faces. And while I stayed focused just like I would without friends by my side, it was still a nice change of atmosphere.

I'm also happy with the class itself. It's on the Naval base, and very affordable - only $3! Previously when I tried classes at the base gym, I was not satisfied. But this teacher is slow, works in depth with the posture, and offers many modifications. I am looking forward to going to more of her classes.

Another bright spot today was in Zumba, when another Navy wife complimented me on this blog, and called it inspiring. What a nice thing to hear. I very much appreciate the fact that she even reads the blog, let alone finds inspiration in it. That lifted my spirits.

My goodies I bought online arrived today too, and I'm already digging deep into Light on Yoga. I'm taking it slow though, and trying to truly absorb everything I'm reading, instead of speeding through and skimming. Even though I went to Zumba this morning, and then to a Yoga class this afternoon, I'm tempted to open up one of the new DVD's and try it out. I don't want to over exert myself though, so I'll have to see how the evening unfolds.

Today has been a wonderful day!
Namaste

Crane Pose

I'm feeling really good today, because I was able to balance in Bakasana, or Crane Pose, for a matter of moments, instead of a fleeting second. It was exhilarating!

I remember doing this pose as a child, long before I knew it was yoga. Before I'd ever even heard of yoga. And I remember it being much easier than it is now! I guess that speaks to how much more limber our bodies are as children, before work, stress, and age start to take their toll.

The rest of my practice was pretty standard. Another night of solar flow. But Bakasana was a shining moment of forward progress for me, and I couldn't wait to come here to share!

Namaste