Thursday, August 16, 2012

Where The Weird Things Are

Sara mentioned this book on her blog and I remember her saying that the author was snarky. I found this to be true as well. Didn't really care for the title of the book but it stems from a comment that the author's sister made upon hearing that the author planned to study yoga in Indonesia:
When I told her I was going to Indonesia to study yoga, she said that if Bali turned me into one of those yoga bitches, she would strap me down and force-feed me steak and beer and cigarettes until I came back to life. (Pg 71 of 1143)

I read Yoga Bitch in increments -- five minutes before yoga class or five minutes before departing for work. Since the book is on my iPod Touch, reading it in small segments seemed like the perfect approach since I wanted to hold onto the experience...

Other yogis have said it different ways but the meaning is the same and I also feel similar to Suzanne Morrison when she writes:
I remembered something about yoga that was easy to forget in the world of celebriyogis and sacred schwag. At its best, it nourishes something real in me. Something vulnerable and authentic, where I am most myself. (1012 of 1143)
There's another passage in the book that really moved me. Suzanne’s friend gets married and the friend’s husband says “I would have done even weirder things to marry Jessica.”
I used to think that sort of sentiment was corny, but isn’t that exactly what we’re all looking for? Someone who loves how weird we are? A lover, a mentor, a God who looks at you with all your peculiarities and contradictions and sees not a design flaw, but a perfectly, uniquely lovable soul? (1000-1001 of 1143).

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

There Is Nothing On Your Mat

Downward facing dog is a pose that I have trouble getting comfortable with. My hamstrings are tight and my feet never reach the floor even if I walk them in and I feel like DFD also agitates my triceps.


Of course Sharon, my teacher tonight, had us do one of her favorite sequences: downward facing dog to plank back to DFD to plank. For fun, she had us assume DFD again then we shifted the left foot over to the right and went into side plank then to DFD then to side plank.

Is it getting hot or is it just me? One of my classmates wanted to know and we all laughed.

There’s no need for hot yoga; you have your internal combustion, Sharon said.

Yeah, Sharon killed us softly...

At the beginning of class, she usually asks if anyone has requests. Someone wanted to work on spinal rejuvenation so Sharon brought out the yoga wall toys.

We did downward facing dog by getting into a pelvic swing, walking our hands out, placing our feet on the wall and getting on our toes. Once we walked our hands out, Sharon wanted us to get on our forearms and let our heads rest. That was the most amazing downward facing dog that I’ve ever experienced and my back felt properly stretched.

During savasana, Sharon was like there is nothing on your mat. No stresses. No worries. Nothing that is not beneficial to you. She also told us that our mat was a safe space. She said other meaningful stuff but I kind of got lost in my breathing and my internal cheerleading of Talk that talk Sharon...

Friday, August 10, 2012

No Shoe Left Behind

I wear flip flops a lot and they are perfect shoes for heading to climbing because I don't have to get out of one pair of shoes to get into climbing shoes. Ditto for flip flops and swimming/yoga .

As I headed from the climbing gym on Monday to yoga class, an unidentified belt got really noisy, the battery light popped on, the temperature gauge rose and I pulled over and the car dumped antifreeze on the ground.

I put my climbing gear in the trunk and was happy to discover my tennis shoes since I had to walk about 30 minutes to a pay phone.

I got my car towed pretty fast and I was happy for several reasons including the fact that it was 100 degrees the next day; 100 degrees and climbing shoes do not mix.

Ah, the joys of car ownership:

  • Ignition Coil One (blows in Feb.)

  • Ignition Coil Two (blows in August)

  • Water Pump (blows in August even though it was replaced when timing belt was replaced two years ago)...


  • When I called roadside assistance, they wanted to know if I/the car was in a safe place. Thanks for asking...

    In honor of Flick Friday, here are a few movies that I recently enjoyed.







    Hope that you're enjoying Friday and that you're in a safe space.

    Wednesday, August 8, 2012

    Message To The Body

    Scene of the Crime
    I thought about Stacey Lei Krauss, creator of the willPower Method, as I headed to kettlebell class. In her willPower video she says, and I’m paraphrasing, to watch your facial expressions because you’re sending a message to the body.

    I also thought about one of Bridget’s favorite expressions during hot yoga class: the face is soft…the face is soft.

    Last night, I went to yoga class and the teacher kept telling us to relax the muscles in the face.

    All this pre-game mental chatter occurred because I knew that kettlbell class would be tough.

    As we warmed up, I thought about how I hate mountain climbers. Later on my hate went to dipping my triceps, pulsing while lunging and burpees.

    The ninja song didn’t even provide any motivation.

    Any my face? I was too busy concentrating on generating power from my hips so that I could swing my kettlebell efficiently.

    Did you see this video of Olympian Sarah Robles? After watching the video, I wanted to send her money...


    Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

    Monday, August 6, 2012

    They Make You Feel Strong...Introducing Kelli

    Kelli's Strong Back...A Kettlebell Perk
    It was just a matter of time before I asked Kelli if I could take pictures (and ask a few questions) because I love it when she does post-kettlebell asanas and I really love it when she lifts into bow pose.

    In addition to admiring Kelli's asanas, I also admire her fierceness. There were times when I staggered or whined from fatigue and wanted to stop swinging my kettlebell but knew that if I looked in Kelly's direction, I'd get inspired to dig deeper...

    'Drea: How long have you been practicing kettlebell?

    Kelli: I have been practicing kb for almost 2 years. I started it as something to do in the fall/winter and to add to running and playing Camogie for strength/weight training. I have since developed a tendon injury in my ankle (40 years of playing sports finally got to me) and I cannot really run anymore and have stuck with it. It is great cardio and little/no impact. I also really gravitate towards group fitness classes.

    'Drea: What's your favorite kettlebell move?

    Kelli: Do you really have to ask this one? Turkish Get Up and the snatch. :)

    'Drea: What's been the most challenging kettlebell maneuver?

    Kelli: It took me forever to really become good at the snatch. I am not sure if it was that I really had a deficient muscle group or whatever but it was so frustrating! It is one of the best exercises and really important to be good at for a good practice.

    'Drea: How long have you been practicing yoga?

    Kelli: Regular forms of yoga on on off for a very long time but last December I did my 1st Bikram class in FL with my sister-in-law and didn't hate it or die from it. :) I kept going and continued when I got back to St. Louis, 1st with Bikram but then moved to Prana for their Hot classes and have been going there since. I love it there! Awesome teachers and a great facility.

    Kelli in Bow Pose


    'Drea: What's your favorite pose?

    Kelli: Um, I would say my "best" poses are the Spine Strengthening Series and anything with flexibility like Standing Separate Leg or Standing Separate Head to Knee but my favorites are the Triangle/Warrior type poses I think, they make you feel strong. My least favorite is Salabhasana/Locust, I fight that one big time. :)

    'Drea: Any particular Olympic event capturing your attention?

    Kelli: I am an Olympic junky winter/summer, I watch it all. It is fun to see crazy sports you never see any other time (luge/bobsled, rowing, archery, fencing, etc) but I find myself watching sports I played a lot also...there is nothing I won't watch!

    Saturday, August 4, 2012

    A Bit Untied

    Made myself roll over and out before I really wanted to but glad that I pulled myself together in time to make 11:00 a.m. yoga – especially since it was Pure Yoga’s last day to substitute.

    She did her usual preamble:
    May all beings everywhere be happy and free….And may our practice on the yoga mat contribute to all beings' happiness...Shanti/Peace
    .
    It was a great class and the perfect way for me to start my day. Love the body yawn -- simply achieved by stretching your arms overhead and pointing your toes.

    We did an inclined plank and, in my opinion, a plank is a plank is a plank.

    Pure yoga had us do shoelace pose but my shoelaces were a bit untied.

    Savasana was sweet.
    Sometimes you have to slow down to get strong…There’s no reason to hold onto anything...You have access to this state of relaxation all the time.

    Gloria also talked about the joy of acceptance and gratitude. Don't know about you but I feel way more grateful after practicing yoga.

    Also went climbing and my fingers, quads and toes are thanking me right now.

    Kristen Demonstrating How We All Felt at End of Climbing Day

    Thursday, August 2, 2012

    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?