This should really be titled 'non-astanga, day 10' because I did not do Astanga today.
Having taken the same spill *twice* down the stairs at the yoga studio in the last week, my knees are complaining and I have a finicky deep muscle strain in my back and shoulder. I originally upset my shoulder on Sunday on the first fall, and had nearly resolved it when I took the same spill again on Tuesday night. Now, nothing is helping except non-use. Being a very sinewy and freaky-skinny person by nature, even brushing my back against anything more solid than a pillow is painful. Nothing is broken for sure, but those muscles and soft cartilage between each rib are really unhappy right now.
It's all the more important that I rest up and get things back in order because I'm not interested in missing James Brown's class on Saturday. It will count toward my final required class in my Teacher Training, and the last time I took a class with him it was amazing.
I spent most of the evening yesterday planning for the class I subbed today - my first 'real' class ever as a teacher. I thought since it was the day after a blizzard and a lunchtime class I could probably expect 2 or 3 folks to show up. But holy mackerel, there were 17! Several beginners and new-to-the-studio students. The studio was freezing, but other than that it went well. I was so amazed by the wonderful dedicated (snow)gis who came to class. It was such a privilege to teach them today.
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sivananda, Day 7
Ah Sunday.
Nothing like trekking through 30 inches of snow for nearly a mile on unscraped sidewalks and roads to go to yoga. On my way back, a couple even asked me if I had a good class! I did!
Sunday is Sivananda day - or 'Steveananda' as we like to call it because Steve teaches it. One of the best classes every week, because in all its simplicity it is as challenging or relaxing as I want it to be. There is no place I would rather be on a Sunday night than at yoga, keeping my mind clear from the stress of the upcoming week and remembering what's really important.
Sivananda yoga, like Astanga, consists of a set of poses that are traditionally performed every day. Sivananda is gentler than Astanga by a long shot, with a focus on relaxation. Inversions are done at the beginning, and standing poses are done at the end. The class has definitely become my weekend retreat of sorts. I also learn a lot about myself, and my mental and physical state, in that class. Because the class isn't necessarily physically intense, the little things come to the surface. And with all the time spent in savasana, it is not difficult to completely forget you are in yoga class if you don't keep your mind present.
In recognizing all the folks who were without power during this winter storm, or who suffered collapsed roofs or frozen pipes, or house fires, or simply didn't have enough heat, I was also reminded how very fortunate I am. My apartment is cozy and warm. I have food in my pantry, and warm clothes to wear. I have electricity and internet and hot water. I can even bundle up and trek out to the grocery store or a yoga class. Being able to take yoga at a studio, especially such a great one with such great teachers and fellow students, is a luxury. One I am incredibly grateful and humbled to have. With luxury comes responsibility - I have this knowledge of yoga, and I know that while many people do yoga in fancy studios with teachers and classes and 'yoga clothes', ultimately none of that is necessary. Anyone can do yoga, and anyone who does yoga will benefit from it. It is my responsibility to share my knowledge so that other people can know yoga and do yoga and benefit from it.
Nothing like trekking through 30 inches of snow for nearly a mile on unscraped sidewalks and roads to go to yoga. On my way back, a couple even asked me if I had a good class! I did!
Sunday is Sivananda day - or 'Steveananda' as we like to call it because Steve teaches it. One of the best classes every week, because in all its simplicity it is as challenging or relaxing as I want it to be. There is no place I would rather be on a Sunday night than at yoga, keeping my mind clear from the stress of the upcoming week and remembering what's really important.
Sivananda yoga, like Astanga, consists of a set of poses that are traditionally performed every day. Sivananda is gentler than Astanga by a long shot, with a focus on relaxation. Inversions are done at the beginning, and standing poses are done at the end. The class has definitely become my weekend retreat of sorts. I also learn a lot about myself, and my mental and physical state, in that class. Because the class isn't necessarily physically intense, the little things come to the surface. And with all the time spent in savasana, it is not difficult to completely forget you are in yoga class if you don't keep your mind present.
In recognizing all the folks who were without power during this winter storm, or who suffered collapsed roofs or frozen pipes, or house fires, or simply didn't have enough heat, I was also reminded how very fortunate I am. My apartment is cozy and warm. I have food in my pantry, and warm clothes to wear. I have electricity and internet and hot water. I can even bundle up and trek out to the grocery store or a yoga class. Being able to take yoga at a studio, especially such a great one with such great teachers and fellow students, is a luxury. One I am incredibly grateful and humbled to have. With luxury comes responsibility - I have this knowledge of yoga, and I know that while many people do yoga in fancy studios with teachers and classes and 'yoga clothes', ultimately none of that is necessary. Anyone can do yoga, and anyone who does yoga will benefit from it. It is my responsibility to share my knowledge so that other people can know yoga and do yoga and benefit from it.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Who Stole the Tarts?
Out of all the new books I am so excited about reading, I just grabbed Alice in Wonderland from the shelf. I have a wonderful blue leatherbound copy with gold foil and coloring in the impressed image on the cover.
Someday, I'm going to make it a snow-day tradition to have cocoa and read Alice in Wonderland with my daughters. Besides, there's not much better when it is snowing outside than the soup song!
Soup of the evening, beautiful soup!
Someday, I'm going to make it a snow-day tradition to have cocoa and read Alice in Wonderland with my daughters. Besides, there's not much better when it is snowing outside than the soup song!
Soup of the evening, beautiful soup!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
In like a lion, Out like a lamb
"The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning(snow)for the District of Columbia which goes into effect from 2pm this afternoon until 2pm Monday. Based on the current storm track 6 to 10 inches of snow can be expected . Gusty winds will also develop overnight Sunday into early Monday."
From my AlertDC this morning. For some reason this made really happy! March and I get along very well - we understand each other - even though March weather is not particularly consistent or delightful, and in spite of March being of average length with some spastic holidays (I'm looking at you, Easter and Daylight Savings!). In fact, March and I have such a longstanding relationship that I painted a piece several years ago called the Lion and the Lamb. It really has nothing to do with the actual month, but the concept/identity of the month was one I carried into the inspiration for the piece. I was going to post it but I haven't had a chance to watermark it yet.
Welcome March! I'm glad to see you :)
From my AlertDC this morning. For some reason this made really happy! March and I get along very well - we understand each other - even though March weather is not particularly consistent or delightful, and in spite of March being of average length with some spastic holidays (I'm looking at you, Easter and Daylight Savings!). In fact, March and I have such a longstanding relationship that I painted a piece several years ago called the Lion and the Lamb. It really has nothing to do with the actual month, but the concept/identity of the month was one I carried into the inspiration for the piece. I was going to post it but I haven't had a chance to watermark it yet.
Welcome March! I'm glad to see you :)
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