Yoga Yoyo - wk 6

This past week was very challenging. During most of my breaks I needed to take naps, thus I was not studying as much as I would have liked. A couple of the dialogue deliveries were interesting, but over all successful. Fortunately the week ended with me feeling good.

Riding the Waves at Yoga Camp wk 5

Another up and down week for me. As before the uplifting moments happened at the right times. Fortunately the week ended very positively. Friday day, I was in complete apathy mode, even closing my eyes in parts of the standing postures. Good thing I didn't fall over! By Friday evening I was back to my usual, well usual for Yoga Camp, self. I am continuing to do well with the dialogue and my muscles are still pretty flexible. The ham strings have started to tighten, but not badly. Some people can't get into some of the postures they once easily accomplished because they've tightened up so much. My quads and calves have definitely gotten bigger. One posture, eagle pose, I now have to make more of an effort to get my legs wrapped around each other.

'Free time' during these weeks has definitely not been my own. There is always something to do or prepare for. The coming week should prove interesting as I will be learning the dialogue to postures completely from square one. Up until now, I had worked on the dialogue previous to starting training, so it was just a matter of fine tuning.

I have lots of ideas for blogs, but they're not going to happen right now. Sleep, memorizing and eating are much more important!

I've Been Doing This for a Month!! - wk 4

Only time for a very quick post - this past week was a hard one. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I seemed to be getting weaker and weaker. Then Thursday came. Brent, the studio owner where I regularly practice, was there first thing in the morning (he's usually there on Thursdays) with a card for me from the studio, plus Brent was teaching that morning, plus I was in the back of the room where it's not quite so hot and there's breathable air. I was over the hump! Mentally and physically I felt much, much better.

Dialogue regurgitation, well actually it's getting much, much more than just reciting, has been going very well.

This week's comment: after class sometime this past week a woman asked me if I was a dancer. I said no. She replied, "What a body!" LOL Those comments can keep coming!

I am doing well and am quite impressed with my mind, body and spirit. It's time to get back to the hotel and study some more, and more, and more!!!

Cards - wk 3

Julie has been sending me cards, over seven so far. They are so fun to get. In one she drew several yoga stick figures with "still smiling" next to each. One was "Dead, but still smiling." LOL! I've been doing a good job of smiling and try to smile at as many people as possible.

Week 3 is Done

Week 3 is done, and overall I feel pretty good. Although I am definitely looking forward to a full night's sleep tonight and tomorrow!

I recited two more postures: Eagle Pose was OK, Standing Head to Knee Pose went pretty well.

It's amazing how the week flys by. During the week, everything is so scheduled and every moment occupied that I really don't notice the minutes ticking by. I guess being in a daze helps - some days I am not quite sure what day it is.

Nice Butt - wk 3

Friday morning in yoga class, I sat next to a woman I had not formally met yet. We were chatting before class started and she verified that I had been in pretty much the same location of the room during the first two weeks of the training. I said yes. She proceeded to tell me that many time she was behind me and that I had a nice back. She paused ever so slightly and added, "and a nice butt." I laughed and said, "thank you." After class I leaned over to her and said, "Thank you for the compliment, you made my day!"

Evolution - wk 3

Every once and a while, Craig, the Director of Education, refers to, "the next evolution," meaning the next class or lecture, or whatever. I think it's both sort of cool and funny. When we are getting ready to head into the yoga room, many times I will ask if we are ready to evolve...

Laughing - wk 3

Last Sunday while studying Simone started laughing and laughing. Later on in the day I did the same thing. It was really enjoyable, funny and not really appropriate all at the same time. Later on in the week at the end of class one of the morning teachers had us all, approx 300, do a bit of laugh therapy. It was quite fun!

Supperstar - wk 3

We are divided into 12 groups. During posture clinic, when we have to recite, preform, sections of the dialogue, we are encourage to say something to encourage fellow group members - a little cheer if you will. When we have posture clinic, there are always two groups together. A woman from our group suggested saying "Superstar" each time someone from our group got up. If you are familiar with Molly Shannon from Saturday Night Live, you will get the idea. I didn't really care for her movie, but totally love saying Superstar when fellow group members get up. It's pretty cool. Other groups think it's pretty cool too!

Lost Mental Energy - wk 3

Monday evening I lost all mental energy and thus all physical energy. I completely pooped out in class. Pretty much just laid in my puddle of sweat for half of the class. Twice I putting into action my thoughts of leaving the room. Each time I just laid back down. The 'powers that be' would have told me to go back to my yoga mat...wasn't sick enough. Fortunately by the next day, I started recouping and regained my "Smiling happy face" and also being able to complete class without laying down.

Having dealt with chronic fatigue, I feel I have an advantage. I indeed know what it feels like to be dead tired and still have to function, which is what I was doing for a good part of this past week.

Staying at the Ilikai has indeed been a great help. Thank you Uncle Al!!!!

Studio by the Ocean

I've always dreamed of a hot yoga studio by the ocean. It took me about a week and a half to take advantage of the Ilikai location. Not sure why it took so long. Now after the morning yoga class I walk 5 minutes, probably less, into the ocean. It feels so wonderful after class! I could float and hang out for hours, but reality is not far away, so I quickly get out of the ocean, shower, eat, and study before the next session begins. Last week there was a guy in the parking lot, which is located between the Ilikai and the ocean, who had a huge watermelon all sliced up, specifically for us yoga-ites. It was so wonderful of him. And so incredibly delicious!