Practice Yoga

Going back tonight. Going back tonight. Going back tonight. No matter what.

really, really, really need to get back to this. Been wwwwwaaaaayyyyy too long

I don’t go to Thursday yoga anymore. we got the puppy, the man has a Thursday evening commitment, and I didn’t like leaving the dog alone from 7:30 in the morning until 9 at night, so I switched yoga to Monday. And it’s been great. They’re a little more serious about the yoga – poses, muscles, doing it right – but they still laugh & have fun & know that life is too short to be taken too seriously. I feel like my practice is deepening, but I don’t feel like it’s getting too serious, if that makes any sense.

Life should be joyful mostly, not always soul searching & serious. I think yoga teaches you to be in touch with yourself & find the joy.

Tonight’s yoga was good. Less laughter, more serious. Not as many of the usual suspects, but several people that I know. It was good. I feel like I belong there, and there aren’t too many places I feel that way.

I always talk about my Thursday yoga, how it makes me laugh & I feel so good & yada yada yada. I almost never talk about my Sunday class, which is actually the one that feels more holistic to me. I don’t usually laugh in it (occasionally, like last week when my instructor said “oh, I’m about to fall over!” and then did. (She was laughing too – I was laughing with her not at her.) She – the instructor – Mary Anne – just makes me feel like I am okay just the way I am. It’s okay to be weak this time, even if I wasn’t last time. She actually makes me feel appreciated and important, and that’s just the way she treats all of the students. At the end of the class, after shivasana, we sit cross-legged, eyes closed, hands in prayer pose by the heart, and she says “Thank yourselves for taking this time for you. You are precious.” And she says that, and I believe it, and I feel it, and I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned Mary Anne before.

Back to my Sunday yoga last Sunday. It was really hard – it’s been 3 weeks. But it was really good.

I skipped yoga for the last 5 classes (2 1/2 weeks.) Been just so crazy with packing / prepping the new house / cleaning out the apartment – just seemed like I didn’t have time. I went back last night, for my Iyengar class. We mostly did back, chest, posture things. It was great. Felt good, got to laugh. Cheers to YOGA!

My Thursday yoga was so bad, I didn’t have the heart to go to my Sunday yoga. And I don’t mean – I was so off, or unfocused. I had a different instructor who made me feel inept, useless, and mostly unworthy. (and felt it necessary to seize my big toe where I have the arthritis bad – twice) Instructors make all the difference. I’m so glad I got 2 good ones to start with, and only have to deal with the bad ones infrequently.

Yoga tonight was great. I actually helped a new student, showing him how to do a pose while the instructor was helping someone else. It felt great to do yoga & help someone else!

My last entry – all about how I was “on” & in touch & stuff. OMG! Today, I couldn’t have kept my balance to save my life, which would have been fine if my body had told me why. It didn’t. It just kept saying, “Nope, you need to fall over now.” But I laughed, because I was surprised, and challenged. It was wonderful!