byilog

Today is the last day of my 90 day journey.

How do i begin to give thanks....where do i begin...to my friend michele who dragged me kicking and screaming to my first practice…to Karin for encouraging me to continue pursuing the chance to blog for 90 days…to andrea for putting her confidence in me, in allowing me to be the byi blogger…to all the teachers who guide us thru our postures…to all my new yogi-friends…and to all of you that wrote or took the time to tell me you enjoyed my blogging..you will never know how much it means to me to have found yoga and you all. I loved every moment of this journey…I can not begin to describe the changes in me; the physical, mental and spiritual.

I am so very grateful for all the goodness that has found me thru my yoga!

To the new byi blogger, I offer my sincerest best wishes. I can not wait to read about your journey. Bon voyage.

To the 30 day challengers...go team!

NAMASTE

Lucky for us, the lovely Catherine was watching oprah yesterday. Even better is that she chose to tell us what she heard...I am repeating it for all of you that were not in class this morning to hear it...

Junk food...so many of us have hankerings for junk food. If you have been practicing yoga for a while, you know, that awful feeling when you eat something junky. But you can't quite wean yourself from the junk. What catherine heard is...start adding 'good foods' to your daily diet. You'll feel so healthy when you eat those 'good foods' that you will start wanting those good foods and you'll think twice before resorting to junk. I think it is a wonderful idea. Merci oprah and catherine

NAMASTE

Erin made an interesting comment today. she suggested that the longer it takes us to perfect a pose, the luckier we are. Lucky, because we get to come day after day to work on that posture. And the more yoga we practice, the healthier we will be. Merci, Erin, for that bit of encouragement. In my case, 228 practices later, and i am definitely healthier...and i guess i am going to keep on getting healthy because i have a long way to go before perfection. It's a great feeling knowing that i something i love so much is so good for me...YIPPEE

NAMASTE

Below are the two links for those of you that would like to read about Paige and her 60 day bikram yoga makeover, parts one and two.


www.oprah.com/relationships/Paige-Williams-60-Day-Makeover
www.oprah.com/spirit/Paige-Williams-60-Day-Bikram-Yoga-Makeover

the articles are great, and at the end they have all these other related links to paige and her journey. She is a great writer and it is a good read....enjoy

NAMASTE

I can not believe that my 90 days of blogging is almost over. In just a few more days, i will turn over the helm to the 'very lucky' new blogger.

I never dreamed, 90 days ago, that the benefits of this blogging would be so enormous. I have made friends with so many new people. I have improved my posture, flexibility and strength as well as toning my body. my mental outlook and new found peace is cherished; i know i have to work to keep it, but anything worth having is worth working for.

As Karin suggested today...i plan to practice yoga all the days of my life...

NAMASTE

Everyone was in high spirits at practice this morning. Those who started the challenge on the 1st have just 8 more days to complete the 30 day, and then have the opportunity to go for 60 days. Two people started their challenge today, with all the encouragements and well wishes of their fellow yogis. Sandy o guided us expertly again today. the water-persons have made their deliveries so we all have plenty of fresh cool beverages to choose from...the sun just poked thru the clouds...life is good!

NAMASTE

The lovely miss Catherine led us thru our poses this morning. She made two very interesting comments that i will share with you.

Catherine suggested that after the standing series, our first two minute savasana, is so important. She suggested that if we lie still and calm we should be able to actually feel the blood flowing thru our bodies, carrying oxygen and nutrients to all our body parts. She was absolutely correct. I could feel the tingling in my arms, hand, legs and chest. It was an incredible feeling.

Secondly, Catherine talked about a pose having three parts. Entering the pose, in the pose, and exiting the pose, are the three very important components of each pose. So, when it is suggested that we slowly enter a pose, that is exactly what we should do. Always something new to learn!

NAMASTE

A smile, a touch by a loved one, practicing yoga next to your good friend, a sunny day, all these i consider to be the best and they are all absolutely free. Like today, Standing Bow Pulling Pose, i saw my foot come over my head, all four times, right side, left side, both sets...i was smiling

...another best...leaving the yoga studio feeling energized, inspired, ready to take on what ever life deals me today....you, too, i hope!

NAMASTE

For those of you that started the challenge on jan 1st, we have something in common. Your 30 day challenge is over in 11 days, and my 90 days of blogging comes to an end in 11 days too, but, it's not over yet...

Rabbit is one of my favorite poses, maybe it's because i can actually do it. Sandy Granger did such a great job leading us thru that pose today. She had us coiling in like a fruit roll-up, pressing our elbows against our legs, keeping out knees pressed together, allowing for just that perfect pose that allows our spine to lengthen, and allows the blood to flow thru it. HOP HOP

NAMASTE

Not only do i not have a working home computer, but my car does not have any windshield wipers, so, it's in the garage. When i arrived at the studio this morning, i thought, i need more than a box, in which to leave my cares and woes..no..i needed a dumpster. Thankfully, Karin, again said just the right thing to start our practice...something about thinking positive thoughts only, to let the rest go...and thank goodness i listened.

As i sit here now, in the lobby of the cottonwoods...i realize what a jerk i am....i live in a beautiful state, i have food and clothing, a great family, my health, friends, fabulous yoga teachers...and i really am so very grateful...

NAMASTE

Today i found out what it was like to practice with more than 40 yogis in the room. I will say, that my end of the room was not as jammed packed, so maybe i still don't know what it is like. But, it was wonderful to see so many of my yoga friends at the same time. My practice was great. Karin started the session by telling us all to look at ourselves in the mirror and pretend that we are the only person in the room...it worked for me...i trust it worked for you too.

NAMASTE

All you challengers must be so proud of your efforts. It really takes bull dog determination and bengal tiger strength to practice 30 days in a row. Many of you, especially the first timers, are wondering, what the heck have you gotten yourself into....well, you are opening yourself to all the benefits of yoga, both physical and spiritual.

All the teachers are reminding you, and i will too, DRINK DRINK DRINK... plenty of water, or v-8 juice, or an electrolyte enhanced drink, and don't forget to eat. now is the time to have that fattening avocado, or that big bowl of pasta. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

NAMASTE

ps. My friend michele was right, MJ is a great foot walker. Merci!

Have you seen the movie...Pay It Forward? It's about being kind to strangers... what you put out you get back... as ye sow, so shall ye reap. In which ever language, it is all the same.

I know yoga has open my eyes to more than just a way to exercise. i have learned so much about my soul. I am embracing the feelings of serenity, enlightenment and i am definitely trying to PAY IT FORWARD. It is such a special feeling to do a good deed, or exchanging a friendly greeting. LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH AND LET IT BEGIN WITH ME! Sing the song with me....

NAMASTE

How many times have we heard those words...Toe Stand Pose...not an advanced posture...HAH! Even after more than a year of yoga, 217 practices, i am no nearer to performing toe stand. These are my excuses...my legs are very long, for me to bend down and touch the floor seems impossible, my arms are not long enough...but you say, bend from the waist, elongate your trunk, i try...really i do...it is one of the few poses that completely eludes me...but i will never stop trying...

NAMASTE

At the beginning of each yoga class we deep breathe. PRANAYAMA breathing increases circulation, wakes up the body, and prepares the muscles for action.

Twice, outside of class, i have tried this deep breathing technique. Once i was going to help a friend move, from a second floor apartment. I have lower back issues, this was going to be a challenge. I found that the breathing helped me not only to warm up my muscles, but it reminded me to keep my stomach muscles engaged when i was lifting and going up and down the stair. I was rewarded with no lower back problems.

The second time i tried the deep breathing was just before i teed off at Stone Creek on friday. I was like a machine...bringing the club back, rotating my body, and then swinging thru the ball. What a difference yoga has made in my life....yippee!

NAMASTE

For those of you that are proficient at this pose, think back. For those of you that have yet to perfect this pose, never give up. And, for those of you, like me, that are almost there i shared your glee in holding this bow pose for the 60 seconds. Today, for the first time, my second attempt, right leg straight, i held the pose. Karin had just finished saying , "don't force it - let it happen". I breathed in and kicked back, i exhaled and lowered my body....i breathed in and kicked back, exhaled and went further down. I had found my balance. There was no one in the room but me. It's magnificent...what a feeling...MERCI BIKRAM

NAMASTE

I have heard it said so many times, 'feel the energy in the room'. I have shied away from practicing on thanksgiving day, or new years, when there is only one class, and it would be full of yogis. I just didn't think i could do it, my claustrophobia would be on red alert. Well, today there were over 30 yogis in the room. The energy was fabulous. Sandy O sweet-talked us thru all our postures and everyone seemed so focused. We held our poses like soldiers.

Has it taken me over a year to finally sense the mind, body, spirit connection of yoga?
Better late than never..n'est-ce-pas!

NAMASTE

There was a new teacher this morning, Erin. She has recently completed teacher training. I knew we were in store for a very technically correct practice and that is just what we got. I thought i would listen carefully to each word she said to see what was new, what i may have forgotten, or maybe just a slight adjustment i should make to improve my postures. When Erin talked, i listened. When she said tighten, i did. When she said stretch, i did. I walked away feeling great today. Merci Erin!

NAMASTE

One day i mentioned that Karin is always spouting words of wisdom, enlightenment, or just plain profound statements. The other day she talked about leaving our cares and woes in a box outside the yoga studio door and, to be sure and leave them in that box when we go. I thought that was a great idea and today decided to do just that. I concentrated on my breathing, which she also suggested, and sure enough i forgot my woes for the 90 minutes. But, like a piece of toilet paper stuck to my shoe, those woes jumped out of the box and followed me home. Excuse me, I have to go flush something away...

NAMASTE

I miss all the visiting family members that have been coming to class during the holidays. There was such excitement in meeting mothers, brothers, and children. I am sure, no one misses them more than their families tho. But as i looked around today, i saw that just Anahid from NYC was left and she is leaving tomorrow. We wish her safe travels. She was so excited this morning to have sensei Karin teach her last class. Karin did not disappoint, she never does. Karin walked on her feet during the floor session which i know was Anahid's parting wish. It is always my wish. Those of you who have had that priviledge know of what i speak. MERCI KARIN

NAMASTE