Hush

As the 9:30 a.m. yoga class emptied yesterday, I spotted this woman whose book, mat and wallet were in the same color family. We ended up talking about the books that we're reading then another yogi ran up to us and joked that she had been planning to introduce us. I'm putting Kristin Hannah's book on my to-read list. In addition to getting book recommendations, I'm enjoying the camaraderie at our friendly, local neighborhood studio.

Went to class this evening and it's still very nice to go to yoga on Monday night. It's my prize -- the carrot that I dangle in front of my eyes.

Class was enjoyable but I enjoyed savasana more. Guess there's a reason that it's called the most important pose. Class closed with the usual Namaste and there was a nice, sacred silence for about 10 seconds when this woman, who likes to ask questions, asked one. I wanted to say Hush!

Part of me feels like I should have more patience after practicing yoga for 60 minutes and part of me wanted her to just hush. Couldn't her question have waited for, like, a minute? She wanted to ask Joy about something she'd quoted which turned out to be:

Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it true, is it necessary, is it kind...Buddha (???)

Guess it's a good thing that I didn't speak out loud.

Another Savasana

I saw you walking...is a phrase that I now hear from coworkers. Some want to know if I need a ride and when most find out about the length of my commute, they tell me how lucky I am. Feeling a bit Where's Waldo?-ish.

During this morning's walk, listened to a 10 minute Hillary's Yoga Practice Podcast but couldn't find my home in other podcasts. Tried listening to The Tim Ferris Show, The Body Sphere and The Sporkful but nothing really held my attention. Listened to an entire Sporkful episode about falafel but the ravioli one is not moving me although I keep giving it a try.

On the walk back home, listened to "How Does A Home Birth Midwife Work," a Slate production. I'm totally diggin' Slate's Working...

The weather is so divine that I finished my workout by taking a spin around a park.

Doggie Outside Window at Work

Went to yoga tonight and this woman said This place is so relaxing that I started yawning when I walked in the door. I didn't have the problem at the beginning but it was very hard for me to move after namaste. I totally wanted another savasana...

On another note, I have several social media accounts. Not even sure why I signed up for Vine or Instagram but, lately, I've been drawn to Instagram and it makes total sense because I've been drawn to photography since high school, maybe before.

Below is one of many photos that I've liked on the 'gram.

Amanda Bingson, Hammer Thrower

My Cue

Got to yoga class ten minutes before start time and most people had already set up their yoga nests so I was left with a front and center spot -- it was either front and center or take the back of the bus position so I sat up front.

Noticed the father who brings his daughter, who is about 10, to class. She is the only child in a room full of adults and I think about how fierce she's going to be. Fierce in that sense that Emma Slater talks about in the August issue of Yoga Journal.

I also noticed a change in my mental resilience: I became so much more positive, and little daily setbacks didn't faze me anymore...

And the young one will also be fierce because her father spends quality time with her...

My father once called one of his sisters the world's oldest teenager and he could say that because he had teenage tendencies but I know that I have been on such solid ground for so long because of the time that my father spent with me...

Joy loves to tell us to stop whatever story line we have going and tonight she went on to talk about how we tell ourselves the same harsh stories 80 something percent of the time and how we talk to ourselves in ways that we wouldn't talk to other people.

I have to say that I became much better at self-compassion after reading Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project so I'm less prone to speak harshly to myself but I still appreciate reminders. Thank you Gretchen...

Joy's line of the night at the front end of savasana:

And now you're the softest human being on the planet.

That was my cue to stop engaging my muscles and to, in general, let go.

Super Peaceful

Where I Practiced Today

I'm on vacation. At home.

Thought about what I normally do when I'm on vacation and I actually do a lot of the things that I do when I'm at home.

It was a stunning fall day but I do miss the Pacific Ocean and The Gulf of Mexico. You never miss your water until...

Knew that I wanted to mark the start of vacation by getting on my mat. It didn't matter that I was on my mat for two hours yesterday.

My regular gym only had evening classes and the studio that I have a class card with didn't have a class that appealed to me so I went to a studio offering donation-based community class.

Made it in the door about three minutes before the class was supposed to start and realized that no one else would probably show up.

Do I cheer at the prospect of a private yoga class or groan because I have one-on-one time with someone that I've never met before?

I also wonder if the teacher would have gone home if I had not shown up and, therefore, is she "groaning" too?

The instructor asked me what kind of yoga class I like. I told her a slow flow and she said that she also likes a slow, meditative practice and that's what we did for the most part. My neck was also feeling jammed up so we worked on neck and shoulders.

It ended up being a super peaceful hour of practice...

When I walked out of restorative yoga yesterday, I left hoping that others will get the chance to take a restorative class.

As soon as it was time for practice to start, Max said that we were going to reflect, renew and rejuvenate. And we did. I really enjoy savasana but savasana with a bolster under my legs, a blanket under my head and a miniature pillow over my eye is divine.

Dismiss Your Body...

Rolled out and met Gloria for breakfast. Had the herbivore omelet with broccoli, onions, peppers and mushrooms with a side of sweet potato hash. Yummy. There was a caveman omelet which didn't even tempt me.

After breakfast, Gloria and I went on a tour of KDHX's new digs. The radio station is run by volunteers and their new space is very nice.

Cool Ass Retro TV at KDHX

One of the Views from Radio Station

When I was at work on Friday, someone asked me had I heard about what happened to The 'Fugee....? -- not a question that you really want to hear.

The 'Fugee, wearing seldom worn shoes, tumbled down about 15 steps and her fallen was broken by a window pane. Ouch, ouch and more ouch.

As I went about my day, I thought about The 'Fugee -- replaying the tumble in my head even though I hadn't witnessed it.

The 'Fugee has several lacerations, bruises, black eyes and fractures including a calcaneal fracture which I did not know is also known as lover's fracture. According to Wikipedia:

The name lover's fracture is derived from the fact that a lover may jump from great heights while trying to escape from the lover's spouse.

Hazira's nephew-in-law joked that it was a good thing that she hit the glass because a wall is less forgiving. Of course, the glass has its own danger; one of my childhood friends lost her brother that way.

Hazira's nephew joked that her arms will be more toned from walking around with crutches and whatnot but, all joking aside, we are grateful that The 'Fugee is okay...

Where The 'Fugee's Fall Was Broken

Went to yoga and, at one point, wondered why I had even bothered to show up. We did eagle pose in the middle of class and, because I loathe eagle, just hearing the name of the pose almost drove me over the edge. I know, I know; it's not about the pose. I'm feeling tired and like I can't catch up with tasks etc.

During savasana, Alison said Dismiss your body from any responsibilities. Dismiss your mind from worry. Relax...And, as she talked, her feet made the most rhythmic sound on the environmentally-friendly floor. I almost started bawling.

Yoga After Thanksgiving

A four day weekend -- that's how it should be all the time. Of course, it's all fun and games until you get back to work and the phone starts ringing from the time you arrive until you leave.

Got home and headed straight for the kitchen. Wish that I had figured out what to cook on Sunday.

Worked out while the quiche was in the oven. Ate. Washed the dishes.  Got science experiments out of the refrigerator. Headed to yoga.

As I pulled up to the fitness club, could see that the cardio class had already let out and many mats were already in place.

I held open the door for another yogini and she said Either they're early or we're late. There were still two prime pieces of real estate but people kept coming through the door. I have never seen Donna's class so full.

I told the woman next to me that maybe people needed yoga after Thanksgiving. I think they're going to need to do more than yoga. I told her that maybe people needed to calm their minds after Thanksgiving.

It was hard not to become a spectator with so many people in class. During savasana, though, I zoned out and was disappointed when Donna rang the harmony bell. Kind of funny, hunh?

Earlier in the day, this Syrian woman told me that her sister had made it to the States. I asked her how she liked St. Louis. Anywhere is better than Syria, she said then told me how happy her sister was on a recent trip to the grocery store.

What Marisa Had In Store

Went to the pool with  no new equipment to address the whole can't-breathe-at-night-after-swimming issue.

Can't you just swim žènskī-style?, Borat a.k.a. Hazira wanted to know.  

Zenski (a.k.a. pertaining to a woman) -- that's how some Bosnians refer to swimming with the head above the water with a breaststroke-like kick.

Talked to the lifeguard and no one else has mentioned the inability to breathe. She also said that they keep the chlorine at the low end of what is required and that the only people she's heard of who've had problems have been kids with asthma.

Chatty Kathleen told me that it doesn't matter if your head is below or above the water. Pool house gases are pool house gases. Kathleen also recommended eucalyptus oil dropped in hot water and a towel to cover the face over said infused water. Vicks. A neti pot.

The congestion lasted longer this time so I'm just going to give the pool a break. I imagine that the reaction that I'm having is akin to a food allergy -- the reaction becomes worse the more you expose yourself to the allergen...

I had kettlebell on the brain very early in the day. A sleepless night before meeting Marisa is not the ideal situation. 

I once told Gloria that I was scared to nap since I'm such a night owl. You need savasana, she said. And that's what I did today. I grabbed my eye pillow and, of course, savasana turned into a power nap. I wanted to finish out the nap but I got up, ate a little then headed out the door.

What Marisa had in store:

Right, 20 Reps:

One-hand Swing
Clean and Press
Squat
High Pull
Snatch
Burpees

Left, 20 Reps:

One-hand Swing
Clean and Press
Squat
High Pull
Snatch
Burpees

Jessica Rabbit a.k.a. Crazy Lats and Bowls and I were both experiencing hand fatigue and my left arm in the biceps area was not feeling very nice either but we all moved on to the next phase with two kettlebells.

2kb series...Five Rounds:

Swing
Clean and Press
...
...
1/2 Snatch

We finished up with planks then the whippersnappers worked on pull-ups.

Marisa says that, for her birthday, she has a special workout in mind. I really don't know if I want to be present for that birthday bash.

Lifted

Still feeling lifted after the mass gathering of yogis that was Seventh-Inning Stretch.

People continue to share pictures which just makes me maintain a buzz...

Rolled out of bed with hardly any time to spare and headed to Gloria's yoga class.

Heads down. Hips up., Gloria reminded us as we went into downward facing dog...

Gloria closed out class with something similar to: I honor the place in you which is of love, light, peace and joy. When you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, we are one.

Love that philosophy...

Alison, a yogi-mate, noticed that I was still buzzing from Seventh-Inning Stretch said that she often maintains her buzz by going to workshops. I told her that I often think about workshops but when I see certain topics, I haven't felt strong enough about the content to attend but Alison will keep me in the loop if she sees anything of interest going on with her yoga tribe...

Rosie got a really good picture as we entered the stadium for Seventh-Inning.

Cindy shared these pictures with me and I'm particularly moved by the savasana one.

I spy Jeremy, Gloria and Alison.

Ah, savasana...

Savasana And Other Zones

Went to a much anticipated class and yoga date with Cindy yesterday.

Jen likes to remind us of a Thich Nhat Hanh mindfulness exercise.

The exercise is simply to identify the in-breath as in-breath and the out-breath as the out-breath. When you breathe in, you know that this is your in-breath. When you breathe out, you are mindful that this is your out-breath... 

Toward the end of practice we aligned two bolsters, wrapped a strap around our legs, got on top of the bolsters and put our shoulders on the ground in a kind of supported fish pose.

A few minutes later Jen said As we move into savasana...but I had been in the savasana zone for quite a while. Fish pose is very relaxing.

As Jen closed practice, she talked about the meaning of Namaste, we said it then she softly said thanks and we thanked her back. I turned to Cindy and we saluted each other.

I keep thinking about something that Gloria said on Sunday about yoga being an opportunity to make connections and build relationships. I took that literally but also thought about ongoing relationships that can be strengthened by reconnecting.

I just finished reading Complete Idiot's Guide to Yoga. I read Yoga for Dummies but related to Complete... more.

Loved this part:

Yoga is like a key to the secret door into the zone. Because yoga unites body and mind, it teaches you to discipline your mental state just as it teaches you discipline over your muscles. Your mind can be the instrument that keeps you in the zone of peak performance. Yoga unlocks the secret door to new productivity, creativity, efficiency, and true delight. (11)

Someone at work asked me when I stepped into my first yoga class and I realized that this month marks my second year anniversary of participating in a teacher led class. Lucky me...

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Woke up early, wondered why the TV wasn't responding to the remote and why my iPod wasn't updating. I finally connected the dots -- no electricity. The only noise in the house came from my iPod alarm, a chime signaling that my daily yoga quote had arrived and the unconscious flipping of switches that produced nothing.

I feel like I'm always learning lessons and the lack of electricity was definitely a lesson in preparing ahead of time. Luckily, I usually get clothes that don't require a lot of maintenance. But what to eat? I went to an independent coffee shop and got a breakfast sammie and coffee then headed to work. Still missed my oatmeal with banana and mango...

Hit the climbing gym yesterday and when I spotted Cindy, I felt the corners of my mouth lift and the smile spread. I was happy to see her. Didn't know that she was coming and she probably didn't think that I was coming either since I had emailed our group that I didn't know if I would swing my kettlebell or swing from ropes...

I was belaying when Cindy got ready to leave and, being the good belayer that I am, I slightly turned to kiss her and instead of cheeks, we ended up lip to lip and now I have that I Kissed A Girl...Katy Perry song in my head. Tim* -- no disrespect intended.

Went to yoga and Jen had the line of the night during corpse pose: Allow yourself the mental and physical gift of letting go. She also said pertinent things about corpse pose vs. savasana and the act of renewal that comes every time you step on the mat.

As I drove home I realized, again, how much I adore earth salutations. I really need to take time to do them at home. The electricity finally came on around 9 p.m. and, coolest of all, my fish pulled through...


*Cindy's fiancee

Letting Go of Muscular Energy

One of the studios that I go to changed the schedule so I've been looking for another class and had my eye on Yoga with Meditation but it was the meditation part that made me hesitant.

I'm not opposed to meditation but I already feel like my yoga practice is meditative and, as an introvert, I spend a lot of time in my head already.

Uncertainty aside, I am at a point where I'm braver about venturing out of my comfort zone. Yoga with Meditation is taught by my Cindy's teacher, Jen, so I had added incentive to try the class.

I went to YWM for the second time yesterday. I felt bone-tired and fantasized about staying in child's pose or savasana the whole time...

As it turns out, meditating right before practicing is a good way to get all nice and centered. I made it through all variations of downward facing dog -- the bread and butter of yoga poses -- to savasana.

At the start of savasana, Jen said that We're going to let go of muscular energy in the body. During a quick scan, I realized that I was still holding on -- feet as upright as a freezer. When I'm prompted, though, I'm usually able to let go.

I had such a solid night of sleep and felt as if I had enough rest -- a feeling that's been missing for days...

Saw this video, perhaps a reason for not enough sleep, about Cameron Russells. Liked a lot of what she had to say.

Smoothing Out The Dog

Starting singing that Erykah Badu line “my mind is gone…” because that’s what it felt like at the end of yesterday but when I thought about it, I could have used the other line “what a day, what a day…” And what a day it had been. I rolled out late, decided not to go to yoga, took a salt bath, drank coffee, read and didn’t leave the house until 2:30 to climb with five of my buddies plus a new one.

Cindy and Jeff Working Out the Forearm Kinks

After climbing, met Patti at Trader Joe’s then another grocery store. Patti was heading to Chipotle and, when I thought about it, I asked her about eating in because my ETA for arriving at home would have been about 8:30 and, by then, I was already tempted to take a bite of someone’s arm. So I guess what I’m saying is that I need assistance with chores and errands or something because the day was fantastic – I just wanted to accomplish a lot more…

I did go to yoga today. It was so packed that when we extended our right leg, everyone sort of looked back first to make sure that they weren’t going to kick the person behind them in the nose. When we did a full body yawn before savasana, I touched the feet of the person behind me. I told her that I thought her feet were clear but she didn’t trip off of it because that’s just the way it is in this class.

The Big Breather a.k.a. The Champion Breather appeared 15 minutes after class started. He positioned his mat against the flow of traffic because that’s the only way it would fit. I keep trying to figure out what he sounds like. It’s not that Darth Vader breath that teachers like to talk about and it doesn’t sound like someone who’s fogging up the window. Hmmm…

As we did sun salutations, Gloria told us to make it smooth and, after several rounds, of going from chaturanga to cobra to downward facing dog, my dog did smooth out. .

I was shocked when savasana was mentioned. Couldn’t believe it had been an hour -- guess I got lost in class…

Cindy retweeted a couple of hilarious yoga videos and I’m sharing the one about savasana.

Give Your Face A Total Break

Unrolled my mat but didn't see Gloria among the yogis but that’s because Rebecca subbed for Gloria. We were about 40 strong -- impressive attendance, to me, sans group coupon or yoga studio...

As we were on our backs, I heard the door open again and again and again. Must have been 10 people who came in after class started. As you hear people come in, just let that sound wash right over you, said Rebecca. Timely words as I got distracted each time the open door let in the sound of treadmills and the clanking of weights.

After turning over, Rebecca had us move the way I imagine people move inside of a dragon at a Chinese New Year celebration. We undulated our way to warmer muscles. We let out audible breaths. We got jiggy with it.

As we did crescent, Rebecca itched to correct bodies but said that there was a no touching policy so she just walked around and gave cues.

It was a rigorous class as we “rested” often in downward facing dog.

As savasana started, Rebecca told the people with glasses to take them off. Give your face a total break. She was right. My face felt much better without the weight of glasses. It reminded me of the time that I waited on a massage therapist to finish up with a client. There was a kitchen area and an area with sofas. I sat in the kitchen area and when she found me she said, I can’t believe that you chose to sit on a hard chair.

Who wears glasses during savasana? It’s like choosing to sit on a hard chair when there are sofas around. I love adding different techniques to my self-care trove.

During savasana, Rebecca read an excerpt from a Marianne Williamson book that she attributed to a Nelson Mandela speech.

This part moved me the most:

Your playing small does not serve the world…

10 Things That Make Me Happy: Yoga Edition... à la... Just Here Just Now

Read a post over at Just here. Just now. about 10 things that make Lisa Jones happy. Jones was inspired to create the list after hearing rich people (on a Bravo show) talk about material things that made them happy. I was inspired to make my own 10 things yoga edition after reading her yoga list.

10). I love saying Namaste at the end of class. More often than not, saying Namaste makes me smile…

9). When I fall out of a pose at the same time as someone else and we both smile.

8). I love the restful night of sleep that happens after I’ve practiced yoga.

7). Post-Namaste nod or smile to someone that I know visually but don’t really know.

6). When someone makes room for me in class.

5). Hearing Om.

4). Using bolsters, blocks, blanket and eye bag for savasana.

3). The energy cultivated by practicing yoga with others.

2). Finding myself doing tree pose while talking to people or waiting in line.

1). Earth salutations.

What's something that makes you happy -- yoga-related or otherwise?

And Breathe...

Hit the pool which was very refreshing then hit the yoga studio which was also refreshing. When I got to the latter, the class was pretty full and Sharon pointed me toward a space near the front. It’s just like church and school; no one wants to be near the front. I don’t know why. It’s not like I’m going to call on anyone.

I head to the front and get pretty close to the yoga wall. This guy – let’s call him bind guy – scooted over. Are you sure that you have enough room?, he asked. I love yogis. I also love rock climbers, swimmers and kettlebellers…

Sharon likes to frequently tell her class. And breathe. Don’t hold your breath…And breathe…

As we prepared for savasana, Sharon guided us through three-part breathing which I got annoyed with at first. Fill the belly then the ribs then the chest. My annoyance melted away and my breathing got deeper.

Sharon gave us imagery of floating away on water. She encouraged us to leave our stresses on shore and said that they might be there when we got back but maybe – just maybe – the stresses wouldn’t have the same intensity or they would be gone.

I’ll watch over you. This statement moves me every time Sharon says it and it allows me to melt deeper into the mat during savasana.

Also moving -- earth salutations; I can see myself doing that sequence all the time...

You Know What They Say About Hip Openers

It was a Jeremy-free yoga session and Cindy was the captain of the ship. Actually, she reminded me of a flight attendant:

Legs in the upright position. Feet as if they're walking on the ceiling. Arms parallel to feet and we're here for five, four, three, two, one...Halfway down for five, four, three, two, one...two inches above the floor for five, four, three, two, one...exhale and bring your knees to your chest. Inhale...arms above head. Exhale with two breaths, touch your toes and spin back around.

Cindy was her usual on point self urging us to clear our minds. She made me laugh during cobra when she told us everything off the ground except for hips unless we were good at levitating.

Despite the good advice, I felt like I was going through the motions in class and never got in touch with Ujjayi breathing. And, yes, I write stuff like that now. After 90 minutes of yoga, my mood turned pissy. Maybe it's hormones, the hip openers or both.

Before savasana started, Cindy told us to take a moment and appreciate what our bodies had done. Maybe I was too tired to move or too tired to notice but there were only two people in the room when I finally emerged from savasana. Perhaps another round of savasana is in order...

Decoy Savasanas

Went to Candlelight Restorative Yoga yesterday and went to Hot Yoga today. Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.

When I went to my first hot yoga class last Saturday, I knew the basics: take two towels and water. I also knew not to wear anything that would become transparent.

Crystal via Patti also advised not to eat too big of a breakfast.

What I didn't know was the other stuff so I was surprised when the instructor told us to make sure that we could see our forehead in the mirror and, when he monitors the room, he makes sure that you are gazing in that direction. I read this after the first class on Yoga Spy's blog:

I do Iyengar yoga, not Bikram yoga, which involves looking at one’s mirror image while doing asana.

Jeremy a.k.a. The Yoga Nazi doesn't usually teach on Thursdays but, as I entered the room, Patti whispered to me that that Jeremy would be the teacher.

I put my mat near the back and near Patti. Looked at Patti and got tickled. Luckily, I made it through the giggle phase because there was really nowhere else to go with my mat. When Jeremy came in the room, he moved people around and I ended up back near the front again. Oh well...

As you might have heard, I'm the hard one. That's what Jeremy said before he laid down the law:

Water breaks between poses, no looking around, no closed eyes and no leaving the room. If you think you need to leave the room, raise your hand and I will have a discussion with you about it. If you get tired or cannot do a pose, stand in Tadsana (Mountain Pose) or kneel in Vajrasana (Sitting Pose). No fidgeting. If you absolutely have to wipe sweat off because it's about to roll in your eye, do it...

I felt like the heat didn't bother me as much this time but I also felt more worn out. Jeremy had us doing yogic sit-ups then planks. We kept going from our backs to our stomachs and there were a couple of fake savasanas thrown in.

When we finally got around to the real savasana, Jeremy actually said Namaste before he left the room.

During Downward Facing Dog, Jeremy said that I our feet should be hip width apart and that our hands should be shoulder width apart. He came over to me and said Your hips are not that big. Guess my delusions of grandeur kicked in again...

Hot Yoga Eve

Well, actually, it's not the eve of hot yoga since I went today but that's what Patti called it as we reached the end of our countdown.

I'm not quite sure when I agreed to try hot yoga because I don't really like a lot of heat but figured that I could survive a hot yoga class if I was able to survive Las Vegas in July.

The Yoga Nazi teacher introduced himself then handed down the rules and the one that sticks out the most is that once class started, you were not allowed to alter the aura by leaving the room.

I seldom take a shine to anything of a mandatory nature so I just filed that away. Other rules included:

No talking in class

No cell phones (applause) etc. etc.

No intake of water in the middle of a pose

If you get tired, assume the position on your knees and gaze...

Eyes open (with exception of Savasana) at all times

I decided to wear my green t-shirt made out of bamboo and my sole pair of official yoga pants and they worked beautifully.

I managed to find myself at the front of the room and I survived that too.

Even in regular yoga class, I can't manage Eagle and it was definitely unmanageable since I was completely slick with sweat. In the end, my shoulders are way too tight for this move. And Standing Head to Knee pose? Yeah, that didn't work for me either.

As we did yogic sit-ups and planks, I tried to gauge what time it was and was so relieved when the 1.5 hours was up.

We went into Savasana and the teacher said that we should hold the pose for three to five minutes. I've never had a yoga teacher walk out during Savasana but today was the day. What happened to holding the space? That's something that Madonna did beautifully in Candlelight Restorative Yoga. Or, since Hot Yoga is kind of hardcore, should I not expect the teacher to hold the space?

Gazing at the Third Eye or The Gospel According to Donna, My Other Yoga Teacher

Savasana is a gift that you should give yourself every day.

If you're not breathing, you're not doing the practice.

Wherever you go, you must breathe.

(While we tried to get our fingers to our toes)

Heart center open...

Let your head hang low -- like a piece of ripe fruit.

I don't like to hear the word "ouch."

While we were doing pigeon and curious pigeon.

Strong and majestic -- like a mountain...

Even though your eyes are closed, you're gazing at your third eye which is right above the bridge of your nose.

Your tush should not torque.

During chair pose

Wherever you go, it should feel good. This pose is a restorative position.

Donna on child's pose. She told us that we could put our big toes together or whatever felt good to us...

Yoga Girl didn't amuse me as much as Whole Foods Parking Lot but it did amuse...

The Heat Sequence

Tamal Dodge says that The strap is a great tool. I couldn’t agree more. I love props whether it’s a stability ball, resistance band or a ball for Pilates and now that I’ve fallen in love with yoga, I have even more props to play with.

During the Hatha program, I enjoyed using the strap around my feet and I also enjoyed grabbing it close to my ankles for an amazing butterfly pose and even though I lost my balance and rocked backwards, I liked using it during boat pose. I also enjoyed the shoulder stretch since the strap was incorporated. Hatha felt particularly good following a day of rowing and rock climbing since my hips were intensely sore.

During the Flow program, Dodge brings the heat. He incorporates reverse warrior, baby cobra, plank, inverted bicycle and downward facing dog. I liked the chair, crescent and sun salutation sequences. This session definitely has a cardio aspect to it and I welcomed the cool portion of the program that came towards the end.

I thought that I would feel weird during yoga at home by my lonesome now that I've gotten accustomed to classes but I was wrong. It still felt good and savasana and the half-fetal positions were still quite tasty.


While the DVD says for beginners, I think most people would enjoy it. I've been going to yoga classes for about six months now and I'm starting to feel less like a beginner...


I also visited Dodge’s website and I feel like there’s a yoga retreat in my future. Hope it’s the near future.

Been to any yoga retreats? If so, which one did you enjoy the most?





*Disclosure: I received this video without charge.