Living Together, Growing Together

The theme of my in-laws’ 60th Wedding Anniversary came from an old, almost forgotten movie “The Lost Horizon” with Burt Bacharach’s song, “Living Together, Growing Together”.
While this song never made it big and can hardly be found in CDs of Burt Bacharach songs, we felt this was the most appropriate for our celebration as it [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Well, I still like skiing

Even if, apparently, I hate sex and yoga. Or maybe what I hate is the idea of sex as group recreation, as opposed to an expression of intimacy between individuals, and the notion that yoga has to be a spiritual quest, as opposed to what it is for me, which is a physical exercise that has the effect of wrangling the otherwise wild flailings of mind.

Actually, I don't know if I still like skiing either. I will let you know after today - first day skiing this season. We've gone from Boca to the Borscht Belt. Actually, not the Borscht Belt, but rather the Berkshires. The Borscht Belt is more the Catskills.

Latah.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

For Owl (OvO): Throwing down

I see you one wordy post and raise you one One Taste video. Now, what were you saying? One Taste is a place to explore naked yoga without sexual subtext?



Discuss.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Superbad Lady

Comic: "So then the rabbi says to the horse..."

Buddha: "Ha, ha, ha! Stop! You're killing me!"

Title of Cartoon: "If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha"

(reprinted from sharonspotbottom.blogspot.com)

********************************************************************************

If there's a blog war going on, no one's told me about it.

But let me see what I can do about that.

It has recently come to my attention that some people practice Ashtanga for the purpose of finding peace or truth or "that place inside all of us that contains the universe entire" (so said a Bikram teacher whose class I recently attended), or in order to accept with equanimity, the "duality in everything, whereby hardness contains softness and ease contains effort and sadness contains happiness" (so said an Anusara teacher whose class I recently happened to overhear, long story, don't ask).

I even remember a time when perhaps, cough, I might have had such lofty ideals, myself. But please do not remind me of this.

At the moment, there is one reason that I practice Ashtanga, and it is because it is the best friggin workout EVER. For me, at least. It is perfectly perfect for me in ever way, except for, perhaps, how long it takes me to get through an entire practice. But physically, it is the BALLS. And nothing has gotten my body in shape like Ashtanga, not running, not biking, not skating. NOTHING. And I want to keep that going. So, I continue to practice, even when I don't feel like it.

I don't maintain a daily practice with the notion of any particula Sutra in mind (steadiness, blah blah blah). I don't seek to keep my mind on one point. It JUST HAPPENS. It's a happy side effect of the physical practice.

But let me tell you: I get into a deeper meditative state when I am sewing (my parents bought me a sewing machine for my birthday, and so far, I have hemmed several pairs of my jeans whose hems had been dragging on the ground, I have tailored my own ski pants to fit my slimmer frame, I have sewn two neck rolls and slip-covered an ottoman) or when I am doing just about any DIY project at home (painting Brian's room the color of Boston College's uniform was incredibly meditative). But I sure as hell wouldn't trade sewing or painting or hanging pictures or organizing my photos or reupholstering chair seats for 10 Surya Namaskars followed by Standing and then Primary (and a little bit of Second).

Someday maybe the chicken will come after egg. But right now, it's all about the egg.

And what's funnyny is, other than the fact that I have just now outed myself vis a vis my anti-yoga-establishment attitude, I could practice anywhere with anyone til the cows come home, as they say, and no one would EVER know the difference. I could be the MOST "yogic" of people. OR NOT. And no one would know what was going on inside my head.

I don't believe in, worship or care for Hindu "gods". They're not gods to me, and although I enjoy the story of Hanuman, Ram and Sita, it's more about the story, kind of like the way I like the story of Orpheus or Narcissus from Greek mythology). Truthfully, I don't like most Indian food. I have no desire to wear a Sari. I don't want to go to Mysore because I really really really like my Western luxuries. I don't want to paint myself in Henna. I don't want to bathe in the Ganges. I practice when I want with whom I want to practice. I don't do the Invocation unless the entire room is doing it, and then, only once per day. I have ceased to do the Closing Mantra altogether. Because it's a prayer, and I come for the workout, not for the religious experience.

I am what you might call, a SUPERBAD LADY.

But I am comfortable with it. I wonder who else out here is as "superbad" as me.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Esalen

Here’s a great article (from The Economist, of all places) about that California hippie haven known as Esalen.
My favorite quote from the piece: “Whether at Esalen or not, Californians are still willing to try anything new—to do it until it hurts and to become caricatures in the process—in order to explore how far we can [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (our family’s version)

“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
Hubby would recite this poem from memory during many Christmases and I learned that when they were small, he was always tasked to recite this poem by his aunts during their Christmas program. No wonder! Well, I did [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Del Boca Vista: What a difference a little warmth in the atmosphere makes...

Blogging from Boca on Christmas Eve.

What a strange place Boca Raton is. It's as gaudy as Vegas, but spread out over vast six-lane highways with names like "Butts" and "Jog" and "Powerline" and which connect one ostentatiously named (e.g., "Broken Sound") and gated residential development to another, each development really a conglomerate of hundreds of smaller developments, each, again, ostenstatiously ( and quite unimaginatively) named (e.g., Bridgewood), if not gated. Everything here in Boca is an exact replica of something that exists up north, particularly in New York, and more particularly in Long Island. In fact, everyone here really IS from up north, particularly New York, and more particularly Long Island, and they all fly down to escape the winter weather and receive visits from their grandchildren and eat out in the same restaurants they eat out in up north and shop in the same departments stores they shop in up north and hang out with the same friends they hang out with up north. Except it's all transplanted here, amid the palm trees and the golf courses and the plaid pants and the white hair. And the rules.

Ah, the rules.

Those who would migrate Bocaward for the winter must, in their deepest heart of hearts, embrace rules. Particularly rules that remind them how very worthy of rules they truly are. There is a long list of rules at the pool, for example, including, "All flotation devices must be attached to a person. No free floating floatation devices will be toleraed." There is a list of rules regarding who can eat at which restaurant in the development. No children at this place. No women at that place. Women at this place, but only in that room and only on that day. Nothing that unusual, I suppose, if you're accustomed to private country clubs and the like. But that's only the beginning of the rules that serve as the foundation and heart center of what is Boca Raton.

There are, for example, strict dress codes at each restaurant in each residential development. The one which I was reading today stated that jeans are not acceptable "except designer jeans" and that "all shirts must be tucked except for Tommy Bahamas". Is it any surprise that a rabble-rouser such as myself would read these rules and begin to ask such questions as, "Are Levi's designer jeans?" "What if the designer jeans have rips in the knees?" And "What in God's name is a Tommy Bahama?"

However, it is perhaps not the Rules themselves, but the complete lack of irony with which The Rules are set forth, accepted and then passed along to those who are mere visitors that truly define The Rules. And if that makes no sense, then I submit to you this anecdote, a true story, if paraphrased a bit, but true nonetheless in spirit. It is the story of an adult male, who on a visit to his parents' winter home in Boca, broke the 75-lap rule at his parents' residential development's pool.

Said adult male exceeded that 75-lap rule, yes, and he did so with such hubris and righteous indignation that a quick decision by the powers that be was determined to be imperative. Because rules that are important cannot be broken, and when they are broken, there must be consequences, both swift and fearsome.

It was determined that the authorities should be called in.

And so said adult male who swam more than 75 laps and did so with hubris and righteous indignation was arrested. Taken into custody by the Boca Raton sherriff. In handcuffs and wet swim trunks he was taken to the pokey. In the process, he brought disgrace and shame upon his parents, who supported the rules, who believed in the rules, who, Lord knows, may even have assisted in the writing of the rules.

I will stop for a moment to reiterate that this story was told to me as true, as fact. I do not know if it really IS true or even remotely factual. But what is IMPORTANT is that it was told to me as such, and that it was told to me both with pride and as a fearsome warning. Its telling came upon the tail end of this conversation, which I shall now paraphrase:

"If you drive too fast on the roads within the development, we're the ones who will get in trouble for it," we were told.

"You'll get in trouble in a legal sense?" I asked, "or in a social sense?"

"Well, both, I mean, I think. I mean, it doesn't matter. People are responsible for the behavior of their visitors. The rules are for everyone. They put them together for everyone's benefit. They worked hard to create rules that would keep things running smoothly here."

"Who is this they of which you speak?"

"The people who came up with the rules."

Oh. Duh.

"Who would know if we drove too fast?"

"They would know. People are watching."

We decided to stay at a hotel instead, the husband and I. It just felt safer for everyone involved. On the other hand, the kids are happily ensconsed in Ruleville, which makes sense for children, I think. Or for second childhoods. Or for people who don't mind resembling a Seinfeld episode.

I should note at this juncture that I did not break any rules by practicing my yoga at the pool today, although I was asked to practice at a "satellite pool", rather than at the main pool area.

Happily, I got a taste of what my practice might be like in the summer after a winter of hard and thankless work. I bound Pasasana without the assistance of any human or any dog toys. I found the toes of my right foot in Kapotasana. And I stood up easily from three backbends in a row. It's hard for me to understand why it is so much easier to practice in warm weather than in a warm room in cold weather. But it is. It just is. And now if memory serves, I believe that each year I have had this experience, where I work hard all winter, and I get nowhere. Then the winter gives way to spring, and suddenly, all the progress blossoms. It's as if my progress goes into hibernation for the winter and wakes up six weeks after the groundhog sees his shadow. Or so I hope it goes, and so it seems it will, and so I hope it shall.

Yours with complete awareness of an utter absence of gratitude for all of the gifts that have been bestowed upon me, apparently, although things are never exactly as they seem,

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

5 Good Reasons Why You Should Practice Yoga and Meditation

by Dada Vedaprajinananda
The practice of yoga and meditation has become increasingly popular in the past few years, but I am sure that there are many people who are still asking themselves, “What’s in it for me?” So, if you have been wondering whether it would be worth your time to start practicing yoga and [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Yoga Product Review: Hugger Mugger Foam Wedge

This thing saved my life. Okay, not literally. But it really did help my practice out a lot. The Hugger Mugger Foam Wedge is a simple but highly effective device that has lots of handy uses. It costs about $15, and is more than worth it. yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Mundane

Today I practiced Primary, straight up and no embellishments, and it was happily, wonderously, astoundingly...mundane. I love mundane. I love the absence of drama in my practice. It's just a delight, and it seems so rare in the winter.

Not much else to say. Or not much else that I feel like saying right now. It's quiet in my house. Both kids are on playdates, I have a fire going, and I have a stack of magazines waiting, from Real Simple to Star, and various permutations of each in between. YUM.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Chanting “Om”

As a yoga teacher and as a student, I’ve always had mixed feelings about chanting “Om” in class. For newcomers, this chant sounds kind of funnyny (it’s not unusual, especially in beginners classes, to hear people snickering) and doesn’t seem to make much sense. Most teachers don’t bother explaining what the chant means or signifies, [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Life is good.

It's cold outside, a frigid 20 degrees farenheit.

However, I woke up this morning to a sweetly toasty room - always keeping the thermostat set to a cozilicious 78 degrees, such as I do.

After lolling about under my down covers in my sleigh bed that I had custom-built from rainforest trees that were harvested in the Amazon and then shipped to the French countryside for custom carving by children. And I feel okay about this because the children didn't have to miss school for it, seeing as these kids don't go to school anyway. They're too poor to do much of anything besides help their parents pay for food and clothing.

My fluffy Designer Hybrid Poodle-Flat-Coated Retriever Mix that I bought for a bargain price of $2,800 at a nearby breeder (can you imagine adopting a mongrel when you can buy from a breeder, which of course, guarantees the very best possible dog) licked my face and reminded me that it was time to start filling the giant travertine tub for my morning whirlpool. That travertine marble can get awfully cold, so we need to run the hot water for quite some time before even beginning to fill the tub. We had to have an extra water heater tank installed just for his purpose.

Annoying. But so worth it.

Such a lovely hot bath I had today. And after sudsing up with my guilty pleasure, Mr. Bubble, sodium laurel sulfates and all, but damn, if it doesn't make bathtime funny, I toweled off with a few towels that I pre-heated on my convenient sterling plated towel warmer. Then I threw the towels in the wash. Can't use a towel more than once, can you? Am I right or what? Yucky!

My children were getting ready in their rooms, but I couldn't hear them since their rooms are so far away from mine. That is a CLEAR advantage to having a house that is bigger than God's. You never have to see your kids if you don't want to. And you sure don't have to hear them. But if you want, you can have audio and video intercoms wired throughout the house so that you can watch and listen when it suits you to do so. It takes a crapload of electricity to keep those things running all the time, but hell, you have to stay connected to the kids. Do you not? I mean, come on.

Not that I don't use my au pair to feed and clothe my kids and ready them for school. Su is a wonderful au pair. We imported her from Souteast Asia on a win-win kind of thing: we needed work done around here, and she wanted to see the country. Maybe when she is done with her 40 hours per week here she will have some time to see the country before heading back to her part of the world. If not, she can always come back when she has enough money to pay for it herself.

Su always makes the kids these fabulous, giant breakfast buffets. We import all this really cool exotic stuff so that she can make Dim Sum, and Su loves cooking on the giant-assed Viking restaurant-sized stove with our English pots and pans, slicing and dicing with our German and Japanese knives. The catch: poor Su, I don't have the heart to tell her that the kids are never going to eat all that food. Actually, none of it, really. They just like Eggo waffles with chocolate-flavored chips. So, we end up just throwing all that other stuff in the trash. Ah well. Maybe one day I will remember to bring some of our extra food over to the food bank in town. But not today. Too busy.

Yep, too busy, I am. First, I drove 10 miles for the best cup of coffee in the county. It is TOTALLY worth the hassle of driving 10 miles there and 10 miles back. Funny that I never learned to make coffee myself. I can make a Thanksgiving dinner. But I can't make a cup of coffee! Silly girl, that YC.

Then I drove another 20 miles in the other direction for my daily fix of yoga. I love driving in my SUV. It's so status! So money! I'm thinking about getting a Hummer next. LOVE those things. And what an awesome feeling to be the absolute biggest passenger car on the highway! Not that I ever take the highway. I'm usually ambling around on the country roads, rather than taking the (cough) more efficient highways, because the country roads are so pretty. And it's important to fill one's world with pretty things. Am I right, people? Or am I right?

While I was out, I kept the cable box on because I was DVR'ing my favorite shows: Tyra Banks and Judge Judy. I don't trust that DVR to work if I don't leave the tv on. So, on I leave it. Also, it's nice to come home to the sound of familiar, friendly voices in my house. Hi Tyra! Hi Judge!

When I get home, I take another long, hot bath. This time, I don't take it in the travertine behemoth - that would be WASTEFUL! Instead, I take it in the second guest bedroom (the first guest bedroom is Su's. The only problem with that is that afterwards, I have to wash all the towels I use. Again. I mean, how many loads of laundry should Su have to do in a day? Damn. I need to try to get more efficient about my towel usage, or at least about maybe collecting them all before making Su do a whole load.

After bathing, I go sit in my sitting room. This is not to be confused with my living room or my family room or the upstairs den, which my dear husband has coopted as an office, or my dressing room. The sitting room is where I, guess what? I sit. I sit there for a little while, but not for too long, because I can still here Tyra talking in the other room, and I get lonely for a little conversation.

At that point, I decide to take out the SUV and drive over to my friend's house. She lives about a quarter mile down the road in a 10,000 square foot BEHEMOTH of a house. GROSS! But don't tell anyone I said that. Anyway, I have to drive there because no one walks here. Least of all me. The one time I walked from one end of Main Street to the other (about a half mile) to get a cup of coffee, I was practically laughed out of town on a rail. There were all, "Look a YC, she thinks she still lives in The City, hardee har har."

Anyway, when I was about halfway to Chez Bitchface (no, I did NOT say that!), I realized that I was cold, even though the heat was on full blast in the car. So, I turned around, and I slid into my driveway. Since it was only going to take me a moment inside to grab my full-length chinchilla, I left the car idling.

Yep, you heard that right: I idle now. I mean, why not? I do everything else without a thought to the environment, right? So what the hell? It's all-idling all the time now!

Anyway, there I go digressing again. So, the phone rang while I was inside. It was a telephone solicitor. She seemed nice, so I donated a thousand bucks to something. I don't remember what. Then we chatted a bit. Nice lady. Then I remembered I had the car running outside. Didn't want to burn out the battery, so I skeedaddled back, threw the chinchilla into the passenger seat (it turned out it wasn't so cold after all), and drove to my friend's house.

When it was time for the school bus to come, we drove down to the bottom of the driveway and waited for the kids to come off the bus. Isn't it nice that the kids get to get off the bus and into a nice, warm SUV?

This message has been brought to you by the All Or Nothing Coalition, of which I am the proud founder and chief executive. Here is what we stand for at the AONC: If you eat one oreo, might as well eat the whole box. If you miss yoga practice one day, you might as well quit. And most importantly, if you fail to "go green" 100 percent, you might as well just give up and go CARBON WILD! Woohoooooo!

And, hell, I've always wanted to make an impact on this world. So, why not make my impact this way? I'll step deeply and make the MOTHER of all footprints. Yeah.

That's all.

YC

yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Greening Your Winter Heating Part 1

Around the world we spend mega-billions every year on heating our homes. Being conscious of how we heat our homes can make an impact on the environment and save money. This year be sure to green your winter heating by following some of these helpful tips:
1. Seal the leaks: All you need is a tube [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Idle Chatter

Yeah, I drive an SUV. And I have a large screen television. And I live in a house that is arguably at least twice as big as I need and have an acre or two of lawn mowed every week of the summer and another acre or two mowed every other week. Ask me why, however, and I can come up with a logical reason. And while you may not agree with the reason, at least I have reason. At least I have thought about it. At least I have made a choice, mindfully. However much you might call my reasons rationalizations, they are real reasons.

By contrast, there is no reason for leaving a car idling. There just isn't. And the woman whom I accosted in front of the elementary school couldn't come up with one. I really wanted to KNOW the reason because I didn't WANT to judge her without understanding what she might be going through. Like the lovely yogini at the CT Shala, who burns off the cast-off fears and troubles of a group of kids by burning a rock in the flame of a candle each morning after practice. I asked, and she answered, and all was well with the world. I don't necessarily agree that you can burn off anyone's fears of troubles by placing a rock in a candle's flame. But at least I understand what she's thinking, and I wholeheartedly respect her intentions.

The epilogue to the story is really the prologue to another. I decided to channel my annoyance into action. I emailed the president of the PTA and asked her if there is a policy on idling in front of the four buildings that comprise our school district. I told her that I had seen and smelled many instances of idling and wondered what could possibly be the justification.

I received an email reply almost immediately. She told me that he has been thinking about this quite a bit, herself, and she has been trying to get the Superintendent of Schools to come up with a firm policy on it. Until then, she wants to begin to raise awareness. As such, she would like to plan a "No Idling Day" in the district, which would raise the issue among the parents and give them a chance to think about what they are doing and how it might impact the environment (as well as gas prices).

She has asked me to spearhead No Idling Day, and I said yes. We begin our planning this week.

She didn't even ask me if I drove an SUV or live in a house that is bigger than I need or maintain a football-field-sized lawn when woodchips would be just fine. Can you imagine?

YC

yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Greening Your Winter Heating Part 1

Around the world we spend mega-billions every year on heating our homes. Being conscious of how we heat our homes can make an impact on the environment and save money. This year be sure to green your winter heating by following some of these helpful tips:
1. Seal the leaks: All you need is a tube [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Pet peeve of the day: idling

Why would anyone leave their car running without being IN the car?

WHY?

I am sure I made an enemy in my new town when I rolled down my window and asked a woman that question. But I really wanted to know, like, was she worried her car wouldn't start because of the cold weather? Or was she perhaps ill and in need of a warm car the instant she opened the door? Seriously, I thought that perhaps there could be a good reason, and if only I knew the reason, then I could stop being annoyed by the smell of fuel billowing into my atmosphere for no apparent reason.

She had no answer, however, at least none that made any sense to me. She said she was parked in a fire lane. As if that would explain it. So, did she leave the car on so that if there were a fire someone could go into her car and move it? I asked her that. She scowled at me.

I guess she hate me now.

I hate what she's doing to the environment.

So we're even.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Where Eyez At

I've been rambling about bad Bikram experiences and taking in all of the comments. But that doesn't mean I haven't been doing the Ashtanga too. I practiced every day this week, and today, I actually did the old-fashioned thing and did Primary in the morning (led class at the shala) and then Second in the afternoon (okay, only up to Kapotasana, if that's what you're willing to call it:

I decided to take a photo of myself practicing Kapo because it FELT so good. So, I was at first a bit demoralized to see the relatively flat curve to my spine and also the fact that my hands are not nearly as close to my feet as they FELT.


But then...then I realized that had I not had the camera lying around, I could have gone on feeling like I did quite a nice approximation of Kapotasana, and I would have felt pretty good about my practice, my progress and all of my hard work. And from that thought came this: what it actually LOOKS like matters not nearly as much as what it FEELS like to me. I'm not saying that this is the rule for all asanas and all students of yoga. I'm saying this is how it is for me with regard to backbending. See, for me, backbending is generally uncomfortable, alien and anxiety-provoking. So, for it to FEEL good is a HUGE victory for me. The rest, well, maybe later.


And here is where the Urdhva Dhanurasana is today, again, same rules applying (it felt good, so even if it doesn't LOOK like that much progress is being made, progress is definitely being made in that it didn't hurt, it didn't feel weird, and I wasn't all freaking out):








Acually, I think the angles here are better than they have been in other photos. I think that the my hip flexors have DEFINITELY softened. But the chest and shoulders have far to go still so that the angle of my shins to thighs can become more open.

Standing up unassisted is still not happening. Thank goodness that is not a prerequisite for Second at the CT Shala because otherwise, I would never get to practice Pasasana and Krounchasana, which feel really good and which make me feel competent, and I would never get to work on backbends other than UD. Because trust me, if I couldn't do the backbends of Second Series, I would NEVER stand up unassisted from UD. Never. Not all bodies are the same. And yeah, yeah, whatever, it's not the way some teachers teach it. So what. It's what I need.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Retreat to India w/ Raghunath Cappo

www.hometoindia.com
Check the site for all the relevant info! yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

A first-timer's meditations on mysore, practice, and all things India

The great thing about reading blogs is that it is like reading a story that is taking place in "real time". Well, probably because it is. I wonder if anyone out there is writing completely fictional blogs. I find this fascinating. So did I, or did I not study for three months in Mysore? You'll have to decide for yourself.

This blog chronicles my trip to Mysore, India from July-October 2007.

Unfortunately, the blog format is not very user-friendly for those wishing to start from the beginning. To read the blog from the beginning, scroll down this page and look for the "archive" located on the right. Click on "July". You'll have to read the entries from the bottom up. Does anyone know how to reverse this?

Thanks for reading my blog. If you have any questions or feedback, please email me at livingmysore@gmail.com, or leave a comment on my current project, http://www.ashtangainspired.blogspot.com/.

yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Riddle: Why did the Bikram Teacher cross the road?

BECAUSE I SAID SO. Namaste.

Yeah, I went to another Bikram class on Monday. This time, it was at an authentic Bikram studio. As Eeyore and Cranky commented on my last post, it's nice to get warm in the winter, and the poses feel good on my Western body, but it sure doesn't resemble yoga. No, that's not fair. It does resemble yoga. In the same way that the bastardized pronuciation of "SAH-vasana" resembles the actual Sanskrit pronunciation "SHAH-vasana". In the same way that "Johnny Shirahsana" (you know, that former porn star who now teaches Bikram yoga?) resembles what I have come to know as "Janoo Sheershasana". In the same way that a standing forward bend with hands under the heels resembles its namesake "Padahastasana". Or the way that Padahastasana resembles what the Bikramites out there call "Gorilla". Or the way that being told to "kick the feet up behind you" resembles the instructions for Dhanurasana, but just somehow, is so NOT.


I went for the heat. And I did pretty much what the teacher told me to do. Except when I felt that there was something I wanted to do that was not exactly what the teacher told the class to do. Like, when I wanted to put my palms under my TOES in Padahastasana. Or when I wanted to bind in Standing Half Lotus (which in Bikram is called "tree"). Or when I decided to do the splits instead of the second set of JanOO Sheeershahsana and Kurmasana instead of the second set of PahSHEMOEtahnasana.

The teacher, a musclehead who gloatingly told the class that he also lifts weights at the gym to get his (outsized, unattractively muscle-bound) physique, called me out on it when I was exiting the studio.

"I know that no one likes to be treated like a child and told what to do, but I think it was disrespectful of you to do your own thing in my class." So said the Muscle Head.

"Hmmm. Well. Actually I think that you were disrespectful to me in class when you told me that I can't modify a pose." So said me.

"You weren't modifying poses. You were doing the advanced version of poses. And I didn't tell the class to do them." Said he.

"And?" Said me.

"And so you shouldn't do them. It's like you were just using the room for the heat."

"I was."

"That's wrong."

"Why?"

"Because you ruin it for everyone else."

"How's that?"

"Because the room's energy depends upon everyone doing the same thing."

"But everyone's not doing the same thing. Some people can't wrap their legs in Garudasana. Some people are able to back bend much more deeply in Natarajasana."

"When you do something different, it distracts ME."

"Isn't that YOUR issue?"

"You can't just use the room for the heat."

"Why not? I paid my twenty dollars."

"I'm not certified to teach the advanced postures. So if you practice them, I risk liability if you get injured."

"But you made me sign a waiver."

And so on. And so forth. And ultimately, because the reality is, I plan to keep "using the heat", horrible yoga bitch that I am, I said, "Look, okay, this is how you want it to be in your classroom, so when I take your class, I will try to stay on your page." But damned if I can understand the contradictions within the system.

How glad was I to get back to the CT Shala today? VERY. And I had a lovely practice, but a very hard practice, indeed. Next to me, Prostrates To Photo of Guruji was having a very rough day, apparently. Every jump through of his set off a minor earthquake. And his breath was as ragged as my thoughts became. But when I felt the urge to tell him that his foot was turned the wrong way in Janu Sirsasana B and that he might want to consider NOT jumping straight into the pose because it's more work and technically more correct to jump into Dandasana first, I knew that it was in fact I who had the problem.

And out of that problem, I created a very challenging yoga practice. Driste, driste, driste, I kept telling myself. Don't look. Just keep your driste. And when the noise and earth shaking would seep into my conscsiousness, I corralled them too with very very strong (loud?) ujayi breathing. I seriously felt AWESOME as a result. My hips joints have never felt more supple in Supta Kurmasana than they did today. My backbending felt light (well, that was partially due to the fact that I did three backbends with the strap around my thighs; damn, if that isn't an amazing way to wake up your legs; and it was also partially due to some advice given to me by my adorably wacky shala mate, Unafraid To Speak Her Mind: legs closer together, toes pointing IN...and let me just say WOW, who'da thunk it?). And although I had to work very hard, it was a hard won wonderful practice.

On a side note: that other shala mate with the whole rock-warming/rock-holding routine? I asked her what that was about. Her answer was so heartwarming, I almost cried while almost pummeling myself for being such a judgemental beeyotch. She explained that she teaches children's yoga at the shala, and that she has the kids pass around the rock and blow their fears and problems into it. Then, each day, she burns off the fears and problems and says a little prayer for the kids. That is just so....decent. Sometimes, when you want to understand something, the best thing to do is just ask.

That's all.

YC

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Mind Body 101 Examining Self-Perception with shakti mhi

My Yoga Online is proud to introduce its’ new Mind Body TV featuring shakti mhi. This thought-provoking video segment examines concepts of self-perception. What are our authentic thoughts? What are our authentic feelings? How do we see ourselves in the eyes of others and how do we draw from this in our [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

I'm so ashamed

Forgive me, Ashtanga, for I have sinned. I went to a Bikram class today. And God help me, it wasn't even a legitimate Bikram class. It was a mere facsimile of a Bikram class, taught by someone who never trained with Bikram "but knew him during the 70's." My husband led me toward this misstep, but really, I only have myself to blame. I had a Chanukah party at my Place of Worship this morning and so could not get to the CT shala for my regularly scheduled practice, and as the day wore on, I felt increasingly incapable of facing the mat in my own home, with the thermostat reading a mere 68 degrees. And so, I did what I needed to do to eliminate some of the vatta imbalance that, for me, comes with the increasingly cold weather.

And I kind of liked it. And I would do it again.

Winter does strange things to my resolve.

God help me.

YC

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May You Live a Life That Matters

Joy, my yogini friend, sent me an email with a picture of this clock. Click on the clock to follow the link to Susie’s site, read its message and see how your life can be transformed so that it matters. May its message bless you this Christmas and for the rest of your life.
Thanks to [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Official Day of Action on Climate Change December 8

Tomorrow (Saturday, December 8, 2007) is the Official Day of Action on Climate Change and events and demonstrations to support action on climate change will be taking place all day across the world. These have been planned to coincide with the UN Climate Talks in Bali. For more information check out:
http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org/
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Standby Power

Call it what you will: phantom load, idle current, vampire power, wall wart; they’re all euphemisms for the way devices use and waste electricity when they aren’t even on, and they’re everywhere. Researchers estimate that phantom loads (standby power) account for 2-8% of total household energy. If you’d like to find out which appliances/electronics in [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Mixing it Up

It’s easy to get hooked on a single studio, a single type of yoga, or even a single favorite teacher. I’ve literally seen students at my local studio cry when “their teacher” moves away. And I’ve seen students turn around and walk right out of the studio when they find out that there is a [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Season of Hope and a Family Tradition

Every home is likely to have a Christmas tree. Almost every home would have a ‘belen’ or Nativity set. I wonder — how many homes have an Advent wreath with candles similar to what you see lit in churches during the Sundays of Advent?
Ours does! And mind you, this is not just for display!
From the 1st [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

I'm annoying. And so can you.

I swear I did not plan for the poll to end right smack on my birthday, but wow, what a delightful gift it is to see that I, Yoga Chickie, am slightly more annoying than YOU!

So, here's how it boils down:

Out of 49 votes on the question of "Am I annoying?", 32 were for "yes" and 17 were for "no". That translates into 65 percent finding me annoying and 17 percent, not.

Out of 40 votes on the question of "Are you annoying", 22 were for "yes" and 18 were for "no". So, 55 percent of you find yourselves annoying, and a whopping 45 percnt do not find yourselves annoying.

Of course, the two polls were separate, and there were more voters in the poll regarding whether I am annoying, nearly 20 percent more, in fact, or so my numbers cruncher (Brian) tells me. And if you factor in the number of times Laksmi voted, well, now that I think about it, it doesn't really matter because multiple votes by Laksmi were likely cast equally in favor of me being annoying and herself being annoying.

I think it is relevant that in both polls, the votes were in favor of being annoying. One might surmise simply that when faced with the question of whether someone, anyone, is annoying, one will be inclined to vote in favor. Or rather disfavor.

In any case, thanks for voting. It's your right, you know.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Anyone else out there a December baby?

Yeah, I turned, gasp, 42 today!! FORTY FRICKIN TWO! It is IMPOSSIBLE, I mean, there must have been some sort of mixup. Problem is that I remember almost every year of those 42 years, except for the like first two or three, so even if there WERE a mixup, that would still make me pretty old. And when I am, God willing, even older, I can have the pleasure of looking back on this and saying, "I thought I was old THEN??!"

Today I asked Oni to adjust me in Supta K. I am really tired of watching myself fall into bad habits with it. And I am really tired of strugglng in front of a room full of people. And I am really tired of not getting my legs behind my shoulders. I miss Sir's adjustment. He really got those legs up there tightly. But Oni gives a good assist too. Nothing will ever take the place of Sir's adjustment. I knew that long before I even was able to DO Supta K. Remember how I never could bear to go to the shala when anyone was subbing for him? It was because I couldn't bear to have anyone else attempt to put me into Supta K. Now, I can do it myself. But I still prefer Sir's assists. Oni does run a close second, thank goodness. But I have to ask her in advance because there are a lot of people with a lot more needs than me at this moment. In the CT Shala's triage, I am not much more than a hypochondriac with a pretend fever. But wait until I get to Kapotasana. That should really do a number on all of my Primary poses. Good times.

I wonder how long Primary backslide lasts during advancement in Second. Hopefully not forever. I feel like it's doing a number on my emotions. I miss doing just Primary, because the world of things I suck at had not yet been opened up to me. When you're just forward bending, you tend to get quite good at forward bending. Add some backbending in, and you're in for some serious reminiscing about le beaux jours before you got thrown into the murky, cranky, ouchy waters of Second.

Not that I am deep into Second. But backbending. Ah, backbending. How do I love thee, backbending, let me count the ways.

...


...


...

Hmmm. Must think of something nice to say. Something nice. Yes. Hmmm. Okay, I love the way backbending gives me something to complain about. I love the way backbending makes me aware of the way what goes on in my shoulder effects the way my wrist feels when my hands press me up into a wheel. I loved falling on my head today in dropbacks because I no longer even believe I have any business dropping back. I love looking at people whose backbends are soft and mushy and wet-noodly. It's so beyond my comprehension, me being all hard and tense and spastic. In backbends, at least. Really, kind of in everything, I think. It's just that being small and working hard has helped me to fake bendiness. I'm really a tension-loaded spring made of high grade steel. But with enough heat, enough practice, enough whittling away of excess flesh, I can approximate all the poses that require forward bending, twistng or balancing.

And then there are backbends. No amount of weigh loss will help. No amount of muscle. No amount of heat (well, heat helps, but it doesn't solve the problem entirely). It's just me, stripped of artifice. It's humbling, at a time when I don't particularly feel like being humbled (when, if ever do I want to feel humbled though?).

And of course, the irony: this is why I do this. Because if it were easy, it would be boring.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Snow in December

Such a novel idea these days. And yet. So nice to be able to open my front door to a fluffy white playground for my kids.

Last night was a Martini Tasting at the Place of Worship. Much funny was had, and I commend the caterer for pouring very watered down drinks in very tiny portions. Well done. Seriously. I mean, how else would a bunch of relative non-drinkers (let's face it; my peeps are eaters, not drinkers, not that every single one of us fits the stereotype, but still, it's a fairly accurate assesment for many) be able to taste more than 10 different types of Martinis in one evening without falling over? My favorite, inexplicably, was the blueberry. I don't even like blueberries.

Thank you, caterer, for a non-hangover day. Practice was as usual. Actually, a bit better than usual because I started with this lovely backbending prep.

I'm starting to really need the pre-practice warmup. I think it's the cold. Someone asked me about practicing in a relatiely cold room (at home). I set the thermostat to 75 while practicing, and I barely break a sweat. It's not ideal. But it's worth it come summer, when it feels like I'm melting, but in a good way.

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Just call it, Friendo

Last night I had an odd dream, a dream so real that when I remembered it midafternoon today, I was sure that it hadn't been a dream at all, except for its oddness, which is what led me to search YouTube for a video that might have been tagged with the terms, "No Country For Old Men Bardem Satire" which terms led to nothing at all. Thus, I am left to wonder why it is, and what it meant, that I dreamt that I was watching a video of a comedian, shot in black and sitting at a desk, like a news desk, recapping the entire plot of the Coen brothers' No Country For Old Men by pantomiming Javier Bardem's entire plotline using just his hands: hands strangling, hands shooting a cattle gun, hands on steering wheel driving, hands shooting, hands driving, more shooting, more shooting still, more driving, shooting, driving, driving, shooting, shooting, the end.

Dreams can be so abstruse.

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Competition

One of the strange things that frequently enters into yoga class, no matter what level or style, is the spirit of competition. I’m certainly guilty of becoming competitive with other students, sometimes even with the teacher. I’d like to air some thoughts today about this competitive spirit, what it is, what to do about it, [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Trillanes/Lim Makati Standoff - My Personal Experience

I could sense something was amiss this morning on the way to work with hubby. Just as we got off the Mandaluyong-Makati bridge at the intersection of J. P. Rizal Ave. and Makati Ave., there were policemen preventing cars from proceeding to the stretch of Makati Ave. towards the Makati commercial district. So without knowing [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

My most favorite-est teacher

At the CT shala, there is one student who lies face down before the photo of Guruji and steeples his hands over his head towards the photo.

There is another student who sits before the altar for a moment before taking a fist-sized rock from the altar, heating it up in the flame of the altar candle and then cupping it in her hand.

There are people who say of the shala, "This is a sacred space", even though it is, essentially, just a rectangular, sage-green room, carpeted with industrial carpeting, in the middle of a strip mall in the middle of a highway in the middle of Fairfield County, Connecticut.

There are those who stand up whenever the invocation is chanted in the room, even if it is chanted for the next class, even if they chanted it themselves 90 minutes earlier before they practiced.

And when it is time to leave the room, everyone, including me, places hands in prayer and bows to Val. This last one, I do because I assume it makes Val feel good, and in my opinion, she earns that big time.

These are practices that I do not understand. These are practices which leave me feeling alienated and confused. These are among the reasons that I find myself wishing to practice alone in my house at times, for weeks at a time. It's nothing against the CT shala. I think Val is a wonderful teacher and uniquely supportive and communicative. I think Sir and Lori are wonderful teachers, brilliant and intuitive, as well. It's not that or them.

Rather, there have been aspects of being a yoga practitioner in general that have confounded me from the very beginning. Chanting the names of Hindu gods, for example. That really has no place in my life. I love the story of Hanuman, Sita and Ram and find aspects of the story to fill me with admiration and awe, but I would no more invoke their names for inspiration, motivation or worship than I would chant the name of Madeleine, of the Ludwig Bemelmans book, who has long inspired me to feel brave even when feeling very very small ("...The smallest one was Madeleine...She was not afraid of mice; she loved winter snow and ice. To the tiger in the zoo, Madeleine just said 'pooh pooh'....And nobody knew so well, how to frighten Miss Clavell").

I don't want to go to a Kirtan because every time I think about going, I realize that what I really need to be doing is singing with my own peeps, the Jews, which is how it came to pass that I joined the choir at my synagogue. I don't want to see Krishna Das in concert (see Tiff? You're not the only one), and I don't want to read the Bhagavad Gita. I want to see Pat Metheny as many times as I can in this life and I want to get through To Kill A Mockingbird, finally, while still having time to read Us and House Beautiful.

I think very highly of all of the teachers who have actually taught me Ashtanga yoga. But I don't know Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. I have never studied with him. Sure, I have taken his led classes. But he is not my teacher. And frankly, I am not sure that I entirely buy into the system as an efficient gestalt. If I did, there would be no need for yin stretches and prep poses, for which I have always felt the need, or strength training, which many others out there feel is important to their practice. I feel no urge to prostrate to SKPJ's photo, and I removed the photo of myself bowing at his feet, which used to grace this blog's sidebar. It felt silly to have it there. I should be boing at the feet of my oncologist, of my children, of my husband for giving me such a comfortable life and such perfect children, of my former nannies, Ella, Norma, Tereza and Sarah, all of whom have taken such incredibly good care of my children and myself.

Until I bow at the feet of the people who matter in my life, I'm not bowing at anyone else's feet. And if I can't make the time to pray to my own God, then I sure as hell am not making the time to pray to anyone else's.

And as much as I love getting a good adjustment in this or that pose, and getting the professional dropbacks from Val, I feel like I need to practice alone for a little bit. Ultimately, I am my most cherished teacher. Ultimately, no one knows my body and what it needs better than I do. And sometimes, I feel this knowledge acutely, as I learn to bind by myself in Pasasana, while balancing with my heels just "thisclose" to the floor, as I learn to bind Supta K with my ankles already crossed, as I touch my own toes in Kapotasana, albeit with my elbows splayed in the wrong direction.

After practicing alone at home for short periods of time, I usually come back to the shala refreshed. And this is where I am at right now. Feeling a bit disconnected, feeling like I need to be teaching myself for now.

I'm just saying.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

The husband and I renewed our vows on Thanksgiving!!

Well, not really. But since my parents brought my wedding gown to my house along with the cranberry sauce today, of course I had to try it on. Thank heavens to Betsy for everyone who had to deal with me today that it fit.

Phew.

Okay, well, there is one problem: the bust is sort of standing out about two inches away from my skin. But whatever. I consider myself lucky to have started life rather voluptuously and then gotten a second chance as a small B.

And here, the requisite backbending photo, because Val caught onto my blowing off dropbacks and just waiting for her to assist me and now I have to do them myself first. I did try to tell her that Laksmi and Cranky told me to stop. But she just looked at me like, wha?

Kidding.

YC

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Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving - Part 1

Make this year’s Thanksgiving more meaningful by making your celebration more healthful, environmentally friendly and authentic. If you plan ahead and keep things simple, this more sustainable type of Thanksgiving doesn’t have to involve more work or expense, so it can satisfy your appetite, your spirit and your conscience. This could be the first year [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Zip

Good god, I can’t believe it’s been three weeks since I’ve blogged! Time, as they say, flies. Especially when you suddenly start teaching six yoga classes a week. My recent teaching experience has reminded me of a few important facts:
1. I really enjoy teaching. The students I’ve been working with [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Echinacea to Strengthen the Immune System

Ask Our Naturopathic Doctor
Q: How does Echinacea work to strengthen the immune system? A: The most well- known herbal support for the immune system is Echinacea, yet it is both misunderstood and mis underestimated. There are many Echinacea products available which differ according to plant species. ( E. Angistifolia, E. Purpurea or E. Pallida or combinatios [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Getting Arm Power Back

After another week of no yoga, I was determined yesterday to go to a class. It was mind-over-body, really, as I was not in good physical shape. Firstly, I had been working late nights and the night before this Saturday’s class, I slept past midnight. On top of that, we had a power outage at [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Yoga Exercise Can Improve Mind and Body

Getting proper exercise is one of the five basic points taught in yoga and even though there are many modern physical culture systems that are used to develop muscles by means of mechanical movements as well as exercises, yoga exercise considers the body to be a vehicle for the soul that is journeying towards achieving perfection and the various exercises are used to develop not only the mind but also to broaden the mental faculties as well as the spirit. Asana or Steady Poise Yoga exercise is known by the term asana which means steady poise and is achieved by holding this posture for some time and is really an advanced practice. To begin with, the yoga exercise may be concerned with simply increasing the flexibility of the body. Yoga exercise focuses on the spine's health as well as its strength and flexibility. The all-important nervous system is housed in the spinal column and the nervous system telegraphs signals within the body and so when one maintains the flexibility of the spine as well as its strength through yoga exercise, circulation goes up and the nerves get adequate supply of nutrients as well as oxygen. The internal organs as well as the endocrine system are also affected by the asanas and as a matter of tradition, the yogi practices surya namaskar or the sun salutation, prior to the asanas. There are believed to be as many as 8,400,000 asanas according to scriptures and the yoga exercise practices the 12 basic postures to get the essence as well as other benefits of yoga. The twelve basic postures are headstand, shoulderstand, plough, fish, forward bend, cobra, locust, bow, spinal twist, crow pose, standing forward bend and triangle. Besides these twelve postures, one may also want to get the right yoga exercise that is meant especially for the self and these include yoga for disease, yoga for back pain, yoga for arthritis, yoga for anxiety and depression, as well as yoga for diabetes. As is evident, the yoga exercise not only helps healthy people but can also be used for people with health conditions. When practicing yoga exercise, it would involve practicing both the mind and body and takes a lot of willpower as well as perseverance to get used to each yoga pose and one needs to also practice daily. Yoga exercise would result in better health, increasing resistance as well as developing mental awareness.

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Yoga For the Holidays: 45 minute Self-Practice Routine

I’ve noticed at the studio where I practice and at the studios where I teach that attendance keeps dropping as we move from fall into winter. The drop isn’t precipitous, but it is noticeable. I think there are a few explanations for this. We recently turned our clocks back, so there’s an hour less of [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Taking rest

By popular demand, by which I mean by the requiest of one reader, I am posting these photos I took this rainy November morning, of the "creepy graveyard" that overlooks the Village Green pictured in yesterday's post. The oldest grave marker here is from 1700, which means it (probably) holds the remains of someone born in the 1600's. I find that totally cool, not creepy. But some will find it creepy, and I understand that, especially when you consider that more than half of the stones are tiny tiny tiny, bearing only initials, indicative of those who died in infancy, often without having been named.

Even more creepy: When I tried to take a photo facing the Village Green, my camera turned off. I tried again. And again. Finally, I gave up, assuming my camera's battery had died. When I got back to my car, my camera was in perfect working order, battery alive and well.......who did not want their photo taken is the question......















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Oh, and this room needs help now too.

This is the room where I usually film my glorious backbending. When you've seen it in the past, it has been unpainted, with electrical plates hanging off the walls.

Well, we finally finished the bookshelves and the painting (it's the color of Brie, with white trim, if you can't see from the photos). Yesterday, the sectional arrived, and as you can see, it is contemporary. Also arriving yesterday were the flat screen tv and the curio in the corner. There is no rug yet, and I dread how expensive it is going to be to buy one that is big enough for the sofa-to-tv area - probably at least 9 by 11 feet.

And then there is the entire space between the kitchen ad tv room to fill. I'm thinking two club chairs and a table in between, facing the sliding glass doors that have a really pretty view of the back yard. Soooooooozin? Yoohoo....a little help?

YC

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Choosing a Yoga Bag

Yoga has been practiced for about 5,000 years. Over the course of that long expanse of time, many branches of yoga have developed. Many of the older schools emphasized the denial of the physical world and the serious followers of the discipline often left home and family to live a Spartan existence in an ashram. The mind was focused on the spiritual realm while the body assumed postures that helped in meditation or in the seeking of spiritual truth. No yoga mat was necessary since the ashram was built with asanas (postures) in mind. No bag was necessary since the students devoted their lives to the ashram. There was no place to go. Today's yoga practitioner has a very different view of the discipline. Instead of yoga being the center of your life, it is usually a means to bettering your life. Instead of scheduling your day around asanas, breathing techniques and the study of the ancient texts, you probably try to fit a quick visit to the gym in around your busy demands. What you really need is a yoga bag. Portable Spiritual Transport Many Western yoga students follow a form of yoga based on Hatha Yoga which combines physical postures with meditation and other spiritual pursuits. Hatha Yoga strives for a balance between mind and body in a way similar to the Asian balance of Yin and Yang. Very often, yoga is used for exercise and physical health in the West. When the yoga student travels from the yoga studio or gym to the home studio, he needs to carry the few props needed for his yoga study. While the props are few and the needs are simple, a good yoga bag is necessary. Before deciding on the type of yoga bag to get, take a close look at the type of yoga you are studying. Some yoga forms like Power Yoga, Ashtanga and Bikram or Hot Yoga include intense physical workouts. The mat and clothing will become sweaty and a washable yoga bag is a good idea. Bags are available in cotton and denim among other washable materials. Another consideration is the type and amount of gear that needs to be carried. If you are wearing simple exercise clothing to the gym for your workout, you may appreciate a yoga bag with pockets for keys and glasses. Always make sure that there is room for a bottle of water besides your rolled mat. Get your mat before choosing your yoga bag. Most mats are thin, but thicker mats are available. You may also want a blanket to roll up as a comfortable seat for meditation. Know how much room you'll need before you start looking for your yoga bag. Yoga requires a mind clear of worries. By looking ahead and planning for the right yoga bag, you won't be so distracted by your temporary needs.

yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Today's Backbending Entry

So, I think the backbending is improving steadily. But the standup does NOT reflect it. In fact, it sucks badly. But in the interest of time, and humility, I felt that I needed to publish today's outtake. OK, they were all outtakes. So, if I was going to publish anything for your perusal and advice, dear reader(s) (!), it was going to be the best of the worst, or nothing at all. I settled for the former. Here it is. Go ahead, laugh. But nicely. Or I will continue to publish only the stuff that looks good (in my opinion).

YC

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How to Select the Best Yoga Center for You

Yoga has become a popular part of workout programs for many who are interested in good physical as well as mental health benefits. The good news is that this increased popularity has made it fairly simple to find a yoga class once you make the decision to try it out. The challenge is in determining the best yoga center that will meet your individual needs and fitness level. If you are trying yoga for the first time, a yoga class at your local gym can teach you some basic principles and poses. If you are interested in delving further into the world of yoga that incorporates the mind, body and spirit, it might be time to begin looking into a yoga center. Many centers will incorporate the spiritual elements of yoga into the lives of the students. At the very least, a yoga studio will offer a wide variety of yoga styles and classes so that you can find the workout that is best for you. Questions about the Yoga Center Before you commit to a particular yoga center, you want to do your research to make sure that the center will be a good fit for you. First, find out how long the yoga center has been in business. As a general rule, the longer a yoga center has been open, the better established it is. Next, find out what styles of yoga the center teaches. Besides the various types of yoga available, many studios will offer classes in meditation, nutrition or emotional health. Find out if the yoga center provides equipment for its classes, and how often the equipment is cleaned. You should also check a schedule of classes to ensure that there are classes available at the level you are currently working at, and that the days and times are convenient for you. Questions about the Instructors It is also to your advantage to do some inquiring about the instructors that teach at the yoga center you are considering. Find out how much training the instructors have received, and if they are equipped to handle a wide range of fitness levels and special medical concerns. On top of the original training that yoga center instructors receive, ongoing training is also important to allow teachers to sharpen skills and stay up on the latest developments in the field of yoga. With a little time and investigation, your experience with a yoga center can be a tremendous benefit to your physical and mental health, and your emotional wellbeing. Why wait? Get started on your yoga adventure today!

yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Introducing: The Pokemon Master

Well, there's a new blogger in town. And his mom couldn't be more kvelling.

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Living Room, with Mutt

I hung these swags, and I am damn proud of my handiwork. I am thinking of handing the husband a bill for all the work I've done around here. Have I mentioned that before? Pardon me if I am being repetitive, repetitive. I'm showing this in two photos because I couldn't fit all three windows in one frame with the sofa on the other side of the room.

Practice is definitely suffering a bit from all of my exertions. But more about my practice later. Right now I have to call the cable company and get them to take off of my bill about 10 porno movies that no one ordered or watched or would have had time to order or watch. Jeez.

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Kapalabhati-Pranayama as a Kriya (Yoga Cleanse)

Kapalabhati is a highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise that acts as a kriya or a yoga cleanse. The vigorous exhalations act in many ways to yield benefits beyond the energetic qualities of this advanced yoga breathing exercise (pranayama). One important way that Kapalabhati acts as a kriya is that it helps clear mucous [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Another L.A. Class @ New NoHo Yoga Studio: UPDATED

UPDATE: My two classes at Yoga Groove are Mondays 7:45 - 9:15 PM and Wednesdays 7:45 - 9:15 PM. They are both “Slow Flow” classes, focusing on longer holds of basic to intermediate level asanas. The class is accessible to newer students, and will provide a nice opportunity for more advanced students to refine their [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Yoga Product Review: The Eko by Manduka

I finally received my Eko mat from Manduka, and have been practicing with it for about a week. Now that I’ve taken it out for a test spin, I feel that I can write a more informed review about this new mat. (These were my initial thoughts about the Eko after noodling around with a [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

The Benefit of Yoga Music

When one thinks of yoga, one doesn't often think of music. Especially in the West where music is enjoyed apart from meditation and exercise, the thought of yoga music is startling. For those people who were around to witness the arrival of yoga to the West in the 1960s, it will ever be associated with the sitar music brought along by the Beatles. Today's yoga practitioner will find that yoga music is not only an option; it is an option with many choices. Modern and Ancient Much of the yoga music available is meant for meditation or chanting. Ancient sounds like that of the Tibetan singing bowls can transport the spirit back to the time when yoga was first practiced. Yoga means "union" and music can help encourage a uniting of spirit, soul and body. For those who still associate yoga with the sitar, there is a lot of yoga music available. While instrumental music helps in meditation and relaxation, the sound of chanting voices can help make a solitary yoga session less lonely. The yoga music section of your yoga supplier should have a selection of CDs that feature chanting and mantras. It is a convenient way to learn new chants as well as a relaxing way to join in with unifying voices. Rhythm can be an important addition to your yoga practice. You can find yoga music featuring the rhythms, tempos and sounds associated with each of the body's seven chakras. If you follow a form of yoga that emphasizes transition from one posture to the next, you may find that rhythm can help in your routine. Any ancient type of yoga music can be helpful, even music from more Western areas such as Ireland. The ancient music of Ireland is a pleasant change from the Asian pieces but comes from the same eras and is full of spiritual sounds. While shopping for yoga music, remember to take a look at instructional CDs and audio books that will inspire and instruct. Music has always helped with breathing techniques, which are a foundation of yoga study. Finding the proper rhythms combined with spiritual sounds can make your pranayama sessions more effective. You may find inspiration from hearing the words of the living masters of yoga guiding your sessions and studies as well. The union of the senses is not complete without sound. Your union with yoga music may just make you a better yogi.

yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

When your son is no longer a babe…..

He is all of 13 years old. He insists he is no longer a baby. He is away from us — all the way in China — for 6 weeks.
M2 is on a foreign study program — part of their school’s vision to bring their students into a keener awareness of their roots, appreciation for [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

I am Elastigirl.

This is my son, The Ninja Warrior.














And this is Thanksgiving Dinner, who was crossing the street as we were driving to school this morning. TD was in high diva mode, clucking irritably, and refusing to clear the way for our SUV and the one parked on the other side of the road, waiting for clearance. I can understand why TD is feeling a bit pissy this time of year. But still.


YC

yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

A Laghu like this

should not be followed by a drop-back that looks like this:



Oh, and Laksmi, this one's for you........I ought to call it "Timbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrr..................!::



OK, you can smirk now, all you backbending prodigies.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Somebody Loves My Blog!

This post from Em Dy really makes my weekend. Thank you, Em! In turn, here is my list of 10. May you spread blog love all around…
1. Chuckie’s A Day in the Life…. - for writing not just about your showbiz life but for showing us your humanity and spirituality in the face of adversity…
2. [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Pat Metheny Trio

Are you going with me? is a great example of how much this awesome guitarist is, well, awesome. As in someone to watch and listen to with awe. As I did last night. How could I have forgotten to mention that?

Last night the husband and I took in the Pat Metheny Trio's concert at Purchase College here in Westchester. Purchase is practically Pat's homebase at this point, even though he's a Missouri boy by roots.

Pat Metheny is the only musician that I follow around, if at all. I check out his concert schedule and if he's playing in the area, I will buy tickets. It doesn't happen all that often. But I got to see him twice in the past year, once at a tribue to the musician, Steve Reich, where it was just Pat playing a Reich composition before the Kronos Quartet took the stage, and then finally Reich and his many-piece orchestra.

I can't explain what it is about Pat Metheny's music that connects so deeply wih me. Obviously, I am not the only one. He has a career that spans something like three decades, and he's been awarded something like seventeen Grammy awards. He's played with Bowie. He WAS the music for the recent film, "A Map of The World."

I first discovered his music when I was about 16, and I was enamored with a boy named Stuart Feldman, whose group of kind-of-dirt-baggy friends all worshipped "Pat". At the time, there were not many albums. And what there was was, to this day, what I like the best. Evocative, poetic. Often acoustic. When I first got to Tufts, I remember going over to one of those second-hand record stores in Harvard Square and grabbing up "New Chattaqua" and falling deeply in love with the sound, especially the incredibly literal (if music can be literal, this one certainly is), "Daybreak".

New Chattaqua is the soundtrack of my freshman year of college and always will evoke the emotions of first being away from home, of autumn in New England, of the smell of beer and cheesesteak hogies, of my infatuation with another boy named, Tim, who really couldn't have cared much about me at all, and who definitely didn't appreciate Pat. Tim was a frat boy who had grown up in Apple Valley, Minnesota but who had moved to the slightly downtrodden Quincy (pronounced "Quinnzy"), Mass when his mom divorced. I thought his accent was adorable. My friend from across the hall, Anne, couldn't stand Tim, called him a "face-man", for his seeming insincerity.

Tim was the first and almost only boy who told me I needed to lose weight (there is one other, and I am still married to him), and he ended up marrying a tall, skinny wisp of a girl, he next girl he dated after me. Not that he didn't turn up like a bad penny now and then even after he was already seeing Susan. To this day, I still think of him every time I consider buying a pair of Levi's 501's because that was what he wanted me to wear, except that by the end of my freshman year, with all those cheesesteak hogies, I was too curvy at the time to pull off boy's jeans.

I really have no business reviewing a concert, but I've checked, and no one else has written about last night's concert, at least not yet, at least not on the internet. So, let me just say, it rocked. I wish he played more of his old stuff. But everyone says that at concerts. Performers will always play their new stuff, I suppose, because it excites them, and because it primes the listeners' ears for when the new album comes out. He did a wonderful piece that he wrote after Hurricane Katrina, a tribute to the people of New Orleans, and it reminded me of his old albums. And he also did a duet with Christian McBride, his amazingly talented bass player, of "My Funny Valentine". They made it their own. And at the end, he rocked out, as in ROCK. I had no idea he was interested in playing rock guitar. I think there was a lot of suprise out there in the audience. Not sure if I like this new development. But it doesn't matter because I want to watch Pat Metheny play anything he likes playing. Because watching him play what he likes playing is pure joy.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Hatha Yoga Class - Yoga Poses for Menstruation

A new article, Menstruation and Yoga, by Kreg Weiss is now available detailing the reasons why women should avoid certain yoga poses, like yoga inversions, during menstruation. This article offers an anatomical understanding of how inversions can aggravate menstrual symptoms along with a list of recommended yoga postures that can help ease these symptoms. [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

I am in India Now

India is the home of yoga and I am visiting here for the next month. I hope to share some insights with you during this trip and show you some pictures soon. So come back in the next few days
In India one of the most famous prayers is the Gayatrii Mantra or Gayatrii Rk. Here [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Greening Coffee and Tea - Part II

6. Loosen Up
Tea bags and coffee filters can be useful but are mostly unnecessary. Great coffee can be made at home with a reusable filter or a stovetop espresso maker. A quality tea infuser can last a lifetime and replace an untold number of (questionably compostable) tea bags. If you do use filters and bags, [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Krounchasana

"Next week Krounchasana."

That will be, for me, like getting Supta Konasana or Upavishta Konasana. It's just too within my comfort level to be exciting. Pasasana is very doable - I can get a finger bind on my own now, with heel up, though, and by walking my hands towards each other using a strap. But that's how I learned to bind Supta Kurma on my own, so I am sure I am on the right track. Notwithstanding how doable Pasasana is, it is still a very intriguing posture for me. There are so many pieces of that puzzle. There's the twist (duh), but a twist with a bind that is doubly longer to get around than the twist with a bind in Mari C - it's two legs, instead of one. And instead of sitting, you're squatting. So, that adds an element of balance. And there's the achilles lengthening action going on. And the lengthening of the side bodies and opening of the thoracic spine and the deep internal rotation of the arms. Finally, and this came as a huge surprise to me: there is some serious leg strengthening going on.

My legs are brutally sore these days. I feel like I've been running up and down stairs. I think it's the combination of spending lots of time in Pasasana (usually, I put myself in it, or attempt to, once or twice, and then I get help...) and working hard to stand up from backbends.

I kind of new a new pose was coming. How did I know? It's always this way for me when I am about to get a new pose: I get incredibly burnt out and bored with what I am doing, and I start doing my home practice more often. No, I don't think that my teachers start to get worried that I am leaving them or losing interest. I just think that there's a correlation between my readiness to add a new pose and a waning of my interest in being in the shala. I mean, right now, I could go days without any assists, except in Pasasana. Many days, I get no help in Supta K anymore because I can pretty reliably bind it on my own. Today, not so much, because, well, every day is different, and I think that some days, I would rather NOT bind it on my own because being put into it is soooooo much deeper.

But I digress. With very little to get help on, it gets to be kind of much to schlep out to the shala, driving 35 minutes through back roads or 40 minutes of highway (yeah, the highway takes longer because it takes longer to get to the highway). So, I end up doing some practices at home, and by the time I come back, my teacher tells me it's time for a new pose.

I chalk it up to my own understanding of what my body is ready for. And since it is my body,it stands to reason that I would "get it" before my teacher does. But usually, the time lag is only a matter of days or weeks.

So, Krounchasana. Yay. I really really really want to start working on what comes next though - the backbends. Because I like to be all warmed up for my backbending, which went amazingly well today, I might add.

Here's what I think is going on there:

1. I finally learned to press down just a teeny bit harder on my big toe when in up dog. Doing so releases that pinchy feeling in my low back. Technically speaking, what it does is it internally rotates the thighs.

2. I finally figured out why people go all penguin toed when standing up for backbends: the turnout only LOOKS like a turnout. The feet turn out, but the legs rotate inward, putting hard pressure on....what else but...the big toes! I had no understanding of this for such a long time. Now, it would be MUCH better to have the feet point forward and for the internal rotation to happen energetically, but, well, that's a lot to ask of someone whose backbends look like mine. Have you SEEN those painful updogs?

3. I finally realized that I am NEVER, at least not presently, going to improve my backbending via PRESSING UP into Urdvha Dhanurasana. Let's call that the "Basic Backbending" portion of practice. Before dropbacks. I have seen better backbenders than me really really juice it up in the Basic Backbending, leading up to some lovely stand-ups. But in my case, the Basic Backbending just serves to scrunch my shoulders. How much better it all feels when I drop back! Or when I come into Urdvha D from headstand or even from a handstand (yes, I can tock, but please, let's not get all pissed off about it). Or when I walk my hands down a wall, keeping my legs as straight as possible for as long as possible. Yeah, yeah, I do the stupid, jackassed Basic Backbending because it is part of the program. And I evn stand up from a that last Basic Backbend, like a good little Ashtangini. But the real juice, the real work, the real release is in everything else that I am doing, especially, the Laksmi-magic-half-dropback, and the wall-walking. Then I do my pressups, and....voila. I stood up twice on my own today. One was with the back hand drag. But the other...it was the best standup I have ever done. It was ALMOST normal.

Almost normal. Music to my ears.

Then I came home and spackled my front door with some concoction called "plastic wood". Then I got a call from someone's handiman saying, "I have Lewis. Is there a reward?" Oh crap. Yeah, well, how about 20 bucks. OK. I go to pick Lewis up, and it appears he has a sprained ankle. If only dogs could talk. I wish I could know what adventure Lewis had today. And if it was worth the sprained ankle. Do dogs even have ankles?

Time for a quick bath and then it's off to pickup the kids at "Safe at Home" class, where the moms and dads send their children to learn how to deal when mom's not home and there's no doorman.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Impermanence

Yesterday the gardener blew all the fallen leaves off of the lawn and into the woods alongside my yard. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Gone was the parched grass of the mid summer, the browned and bare patches that had been burnt by the sun and eaten in secret binges by the four-legged residents who come out only at night. What remained was a velvet blanket of deep, jade green. When the sun went down, and the nearly full moon rose in the sky, the colors of fall were gone, but the pristine landscape remained.

I just returned to my house after a nice, long yoga practice to discover that the grounds are literally covered, not just sprinkled with, but covered, with yellow and orange leaves. Maybe I'm naive, or just new to this country lifestyle. Maybe my gardener is laughingly counting his money today. And maybe I miss the way the grass looked yesterday, suspended for a moment in pure, bright green. But I'm glad that I took the time to enjoy it. And I have to say that what I see today here is beautiful as well. Different. But beautiful just the same.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Too much pitta? Or is it just hot in here?

On Thursday, Oni asked me if I had considered seeing Debbie, the resident Ayurvedic consultant at the CT Shala.

"You mean about the pitta?" I asked somewhat rhetorically, since I was dripping, no, gushing sweat from every pore.

I have to say that since I have been practicing at the CT Shala, I have been a veritable sweat factory. Two Surya Namaskar A's, and the schvitz is already rolling. Five in, and I'm already ready to roll out my Mysore rug. By the time I get to Padangustasana, I have to close my eyes to keep the sweat from pouring in.

I kind of like the sweat. It makes me feel clean when I'm done with practice. But I can see how it might be indicative of some sort level of pitta imbalance, especially since last winter, I felt quite differently. I couldn't get a good sweat going at all, and my head was spacey. Too much vata.

I guess.

I mean, how much of this is real? And how much is it just another version of old wives' tales? Or homespun voodoo magic? Lose your keys, and you have too much vata, lose your temper and you have too much pitta. Sounds suspiciously like a good se of excuses as I sit here and think about it. I mean, to say that I was late to dinner last night because of the earth's orbit into the Haley's comet meteor shower...well, I don't know. As the words were coming out of my mouth, I realized that I sounded like a nut. I also know that I sound like a nut when I extoll the virtues of young coconut and chai tea for balancing the "doshas".

I will say, without any shame or doubt, that young coconut is a miracle hangover cure. Doshas shmoshas. The stuff has potassium and it's far more organic than gatorade.

But I digress. Along the same lines, is spending more time backbending making me resposible for my walking out of the shala feeling kind of socially vulnerable? Or am I just making up reasons for things that just are what they are? When I was engaged in the deep opening up of the hips that is required for a good Supta Kurmasana and a flat-backed Badha Konasana A, I would attribute flashes of creativity to loosening the joints in my pelvis. There would seem to be a metaphorical connection between giving birth to babies and giving birth to, well, to ideas, I supposed. But again, was that just a bunch of hoodoo crap?

I feel cynical about this stuff right now. I feel as if it makes more sense to think less about why and just see it as how it is.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;