Month-End Review or Stuff My Yoga Teachers Say (Recap for National Yoga Month)

I'm not doing my usual month-end review but, for the record, I did exercise almost every day in September -- except for three Fridays because every 'Drea needs some rest.

It's the last day of National Yoga Month. I already miss outdoor yoga. Even though it can be an itchy affair, I'm going to miss the view of the grass during downward facing dog and I'm going to miss looking at the birds and sky during savasana et al.

I did make it to an outdoor yoga session on Sunday at a crystal festival. I told Alison, who accompanied me, that I would not have been at a crystal festival just a few years ago.

Saw the Buddhas (to the left) or, as Alison said, Buddhaville at the festival. At any rate, I want to pay homage to National Yoga Month. Initially, I wanted to do a savasana edition of Stuff My Yoga Teachers Say but more elements of the practice made it into this recap:


Dismiss your body from any responsibilities. Dismiss your mind from worry. Relax... Alison

Be still. Be at peace. Do nothing... Gloria

Imagine your face totally expressionless...Alison

The only thing moving is your breath...Rebecca

I'm going to slowly walk through relaxing. Kim W. (at the beginning of savasana)

If you're at your edge, you will suffer. Sheila before we entered a 10 breath count.

This is your relaxation pose. Sarah about Savasana

This is 100% your practice. Rebecca

If you're not using the breath, you're limiting the experience. Sheila

If you except the light, that means that you also except the shadow parts like "crabby me." Sheila

Notice what you notice. Elle (almost at the end of practice)

The Process

Had planned to go to Bhakti yoga again but when Kelly told me that she wouldn't be able to attend, I decided not to go. Didn't have the nerve to go without her.

Also missed Alison's company at Zumba but I've been going to Zumba long enough to have the comfort of familiar faces.

Stomping was on the Zumba program and I really enjoyed it. Made me remember the step classes that I used to go to... I was a bit out of my comfort zone since Alisha subbed for Shawny which meant the songs and routines were mostly new to me but who needs a comfort zone?...

Got to visit an office with plenty of windows. Plus, the ceilings were high and the walls were painted white with the exception of a huge circular area in the ceiling painted a lovely shade of blue. Everything was amazing including the break room and deck area. I totally envisioned myself in one of the longue chairs on the deck...

View from 16th Floor

Practiced yoga outdoors yesterday and got my butt-kicked from the very beginning since Kim started off with planks. About 15 minutes in, I got with the program but, initially, had doubts about surviving. Savasana was incredible. Kim told us that she would walk us through the process of relaxing and she delivered.

Wait, wait...let me get this picture.