Blank Canvas

It's nearly the end of July and more transitions on the horizon. I finally move in to my new downtown 1 bedroom. YAY!! I am really really really excited but very nervous about money. A few months ago, when I was working 12 hour days consistently, I had enough money for a new car, travels, etc. Now that I'm working a normal 8-9 hour day, I don't have so much money, and the combo of a new stunning rent payment... well, it's making me quite nervous.

SO, I'm going to... deep breath... try living without a car for a while, granted I can sell it. I bought it just 7 months ago, and LOVE it, but can't afford it and rent, and to stay at my current place of employment. So, I've posted it online, and hopefully someone will want it. I need to call the bank again and make sure I know the SOP. If I do this, I can get really close to paying off my student loans (hopefully) and just maybe get closer to $0.

I'm trying to get creative with what I want to do now. I'm feeling that there may be a big career shift for me, although I'm not quite sure what I want to invest my time into, besides yoga. The activities that make me the happiest are yoga, writing, and running. It will be many many moons before someone wants to pay me enough to live off of from just yoga... writing, well I don't think you'd call my writing technical, and running, well I'm no gazelle.

OK, so in the yoga community, I'm looking into some of the local opportunities but also the national companies who may want me to work remotely. That'd be sweet.

The wine industry... being a food critic... hairdresser, bartender, hmmmm... I just don't know. I will figure it out. I will say I'm good at what I do now, but it's sure taxing.

Change is the theme of the summer, and it's not bad.

My career, and even my life is a blank canvas right now. Man I'm gonna miss that car.

The Good Bad and Ugly

I started teaching yoga at Tridosha last week, and I've LOVED it so far. I received a warm welcome my first class with 7 people. Being a small room, I think the maximum is probably about 20, but the largest I've seen is about 10. I was stoked. I'm hoping I will continue to grow as an instructor and this can be my modality instead of personal training. I'm tired. I'm tired of pushing people past their physical limits only to be tired, not to also have peace of mind and open energetic pathways.

My second class had 3 people... which was also fun, but my Monday morning 7AM class, not surprisingly had NOT ONE person but me. So I practiced by myself and it was glorious. Absolutely glorious.

Being in the yoga studio makes me dread going to work, to the shaking office where there's always someone demanding your attention. I love the peace and quiet and meditative state of mind. I don't feel overstimulated in that environment, I feel GOOD and STABLE and SANE. Getting into that state of mind makes you not even need to over eat or over indulge.

I'm trying really hard not to be frustrated, but the reality is that I may need to move away from SLO. I know I can make a good life for myself here--but I'm stumbling quite a bit. There's no job market here, even for those with as many connections as I have. I will create it, I will find my next job, but my oh my am I frustrated with my situation.

I am considering selling my car and riding a bike everywhere, and in theory it sounds fine since I'll be living in SLO and working in SLO, but I know not being able to get to the beach with Tay or home to my parents would be dreadful.

Deep breaths. Deep, rich, beautiful breaths.

Life is Good

It seems I've only been writing lately when there's something to get off my mind--leading readers to think that I'm stressed, troubled, and struggling.

For the record, LIFE IS GOOD! All is well, just busily trucking along in my SLO life.

Don't worry, be happy!

Deep Breath...

It's been too long since I've written. I know this because my mind starts to spin circles without an outlet.

I've never been in a state of change for this long. Since December I've been without my own home--and I've got one month to go. I had some amazing travels, I was able to buy my new used car, and I've really had a good time living with Ray... but I'm VERY ready for my own sanctuary again.

I decided to actively look for a new job. For the amount of work I put in, I need to be making more than I am... but it's not only that. I've done more for that company than most--and they can't afford me anymore. In fact, they can't afford anyone anymore. The company takes such a large percentage that not one of our trainers makes decent pay... I guess that's part of the business, but it breaks my heart to cut the paychecks each month and know that NOBODY in at least my department except 4 people make even enough to live off of. And I'm not praised by upper management for my work. I need to be empowered, not oppressed.

So, I started interviewing, and I've had a few projects present themselves that seem pretty cool. I basically need to create my own position, but have been given the free reign to do so with a few companies. I also am teaching 3 yoga classes per week starting next week at Tridosha, meaning I will probably stop teaching at Kennedy soon thereafter.

Emotionally I'm not OK. There is too much transition, too many uncertainties... I'm sick and tired of fighting for what I deserve at work. It's such a hard job market in SLO. I have found a few entry level positions that pay more than I make, but the question is: what will make me happy?? Even the butcher at New Frontiers makes more than me, has full benefits and a 401k. Good for him!

I'm trying to do OK. I'm trying, but I feel like my strength is being tested over and over again.

Thank the heavens Pinecrest is a month away! And soon I will have my own little bungalow. Ahhhhh...

San Diego this weekend for the IDEA convention... a few days away with like minded professionals to get my head on straight.

Catching Up

Today is Father’s Day… the first Father’s Day where I’ve only had one father. Although it felt like something was missing—I have all the father I need in Larry. That hurts to say… but a father who loves conditionally is no father at all.

I drove up north this weekend, spent some time in San Jose, some in Santa Cruz… went to a few parties—three to be exact. Two graduations and one Father’s Day & birthday party for Larry. It’s always so good to see the family, and of course do what we do… we did yoga, jumped in the ocean, cooked, ran 10 miles, ate and slept. Yum.

I’m confused in my life… this past 6 months has been nothing but transition after transition. I’m not sure of anything anymore. I find myself with certain expectations, and find myself being let down over and over again. There are aspects of my life, and my relationship, that I LOVE… but there are also aspects of both that I cannot handle.

I move into my new 1BR house with Taylor on August first. I’m already planning my quiet time, but also thinking about all I need to outfit a new house. With all this moving, it’s no wonder I can’t save enough to buy… it all gets flushed down the rental market!

Devin and Oriana come to SLO for one night this week. So much has changed since one year ago. We had a going away party for Devin and I thought my life would never be the same. It hasn’t. I’m so happy for him that he’s found love and adventure. I’ll always miss those lazy days, training days, good eats and good laughs with D though. It will never be the same.

I’m off to bed. I’m taking a week long workshop with Peter Sterios at Wellspring Ranch. Most of the yogis and yoginis stay up there, but I’m commuting so I don’t have to take time off. That means early mornings for me this week and long work days. I’ll survive. All in the name of good yoga.

Oh--and this week is week 1 of 16 training weeks until the marathon!! Wahooie! Time to kick the party food and get into training mode :O) 26.2 baby!

Humble Yoga

Tonight is a night of planning. I'm often not a planner, but tonight I MUST.

I'm teaching yoga to not just anybody tomorrow, but to my fellow trainers, and quite possibly my worst critics. It's not the first class I've instructed, but an important one.

So I'm writing and remembering what I've liked about each instructor, what poses have been taught exceptionally well, how I've seen certain poses scaled for different people... you know, the details.

It's truly a humbling experience, and I'm sure even more humbling tomorrow. I think the most important part is going to be remembering that the classes aren't about me or my abilities but about the students and their needs.

I started to realize after getting back from New York that it's time for me to teach. After having amazing teachers, it's difficult for me to practice with not so amazing teachers again. The best of the best in SLO are now the same individuals I'm used to seeing practice next to me in class.

I know it's going to take time, and I'm going to make mistakes, but I'm SO excited. Although I'm not perfect at each pose, I have a lot of knowledge to share and LOVE LOVE yoga. I know my anatomy, I know a lot about common injury and postural issues, but still, there's much I don't know.

Hopefully this is just the beginning of an exciting journey to come...

Mountain of Gold

This morning Tay and I took a nice run in the neighborhood. We ran a few miles on the street until we hit the base of Madonna mountain. We ran across the mountain and around until we hit the road again. Just a little detour, but oh so beautiful!

The entire mountain is no longer green but gold. I think I was away during this year's one week of green... but the gold is ever so gorgeous, especially in the soft morning light. It felt like our little secret this morning, nobody else in sight... just Tay and I.

Yesterday a few different opportunities landed in my lap. Maybe not for today, but two very enticing seeds were planted. The opportunity to run the fitness component of weekend retreats at one of our local resorts, and the chance to run my own yoga/wellness facility. Now both these are down the road, but I'm entirely flattered that these two individuals with their respective projects in mind want ME to run their show!!!

I'm starting to think I can make what I want in SLO. At least the opportunity that seemed once to be non-existant, seems to be seeking me out. Happy freaking day!

Quiet Elephant, You'll Spoil the Peace!

It's Monday, Memorial Day. I've come quite accustomed to my morning ruminations (as mom calls them). For years I lost my mornings, that extra few hours of sleep, and finally I have them back. I get up around 7am, let Tay out to fetch the paper, feed him and myself, drink my tea and read the paper. So simple, but it makes all the difference in my world. Also routine is checking the internet and paper 10 times a day for housing. Still no luck.

Since vacation, taking time in the morning really has changed my entire life. I do more yoga, feel less stressed, look more put together at work... I'm no longer playing catch up all day. All this I will remember if taking on a new role or position.

The weekend has been pretty mellow for me, Ray had to work every night for the last 5 nights, meaning I have evening ruminations as well. One of Ray's friends usually appears so I have some company, but even alone I enjoy the time. I love living in SLO. It's such a gem of a town, only lacking one thing--diversity.

Having conflicting schedules isn't so good for Ray and I, but we're making the best of it. I'm asleep when he comes home in the middle of the night and he's asleep when I'm getting up in the morning. It works well for Tay though, and that's all that really matters. Tay has Ray or I all day and night, every day and night. Not to mention all our company, plus Katie, Vic, and Mattie, who constantly give him attention. Spoiled dog. He's doing much better, but still not 100%. When Tay was sick, my world was not OK. I don't think I'm going to cope well to his aging.

Well, it's off to work. My client load is so light... I only kept my absolute favorites which means my days go pretty smoothly now :O) The only thing making me nervous is that my world could change in an instant... it's like the big elephant in the room... and I have no idea what I want in all of it.

In a Split Second

Quite an interesting day for me today. Relationships can begin as fast as they can end.

The beginning of a new friendship--in Amanda, Joe's most recent ex. I was suprised how much we had to talk about and how we could instantly just jump in and become friends. There's something to be said about supporting a fellow girl whose shoes look very much like my own at one point in time. She's marathon training, and I bet we'll have a lot to talk about running together.

On the flip side...

It seems my relationship with my father is on the rocks to say the least. Appparently Christa and I are immature for not sending generic hallmark cards for mother's day and birthdays. We've emailed back and forth now for a few days, and the further it all goes, the more I just want to dissociate. It's not like it's every year we don't send anything. We've been pretty good about it since we've grown up, but this year is unique in the chaos we both have in our lives.

Chaos and transition. There are so many scars, so much pain, so many failed expectations between the three of us. Maybe it's just too hard. Maybe there will always be too much judgement about why he left and how we've not become who he's wanted us to be. But, I have no complaints about who I am and what I've accomplished thus far in life.

It's just interesting how quickly life moves. Relationships are ended as fast as they're begun.

I do wish to someday reconcile with my father, but it's almost too easy to just let it go and appreciate Larry that much more. I am so thankful to have Larry in my life, it makes this situation less heavy because I know Larry is unconditional. He supports me no matter what and lives his life every day with love, trust, and integrity. Lucky him; lucky me.

Oh to get back to that wave...

Well, I'm back. Back to work, back to reality.

It's been a few weeks since I've written, mostly because I've been swept away in work and things. Wildflower Triathlon was the weekend Ray and I got home. We had so much fun with the family... Christa, Mom, Larry, Kurt, Ray, Chelsea, Lilly, Bennett and of course Taylor. Some of our friends from SLO also competed. It was a great festival weekend. The race was hot and hilly, just as I'd remembered. It was a lot harder to race completely untrained, but none the less, I finished with an OK time.

I felt great for a few weeks being home... amazingly fabulous until the same work issues presented themselves. I'm still waiting to hear on the new proposal I wrote. We should have known a few weeks ago, but no word yet. Apparently there have been some delays. That part is frustrating for me. I hesitate to commit to too many people at the club because I'm not sure what the future holds for me there. Frustrating. It may be time for me to create my own project. Maybe this weekend I'll work on creating my next job...

I realized I haven't posted any pictures in a while. Let me see if I can find any--I'm on Ray's computer...



Here's one of me dropping into a wave in Waikiki. I love those warm slow rollers. I could surf there all day--in fact, that's all I'd want to do if I lived there.

I had the most stressful day at work today I've had I think ever. The boss man really came down on our department, and most other departments in the building. People are getting laid off, hours cut back, pay reduced... it's mayhem. Being a manager is not fun in these times.

I felt the stress vibrate in my body for the beginning of the day... a few hours went by and I'd seemingly shaken it off, but as I made it home and relaxed, the stress turned into anger which turned into to tears. I was angry that something like this has to happen, angry that we can't afford as a company to pay our employees the cost of living. Such raw frustration.

I really feel like it's time to take the wheel and create what exactly I want. Since being back from vacation I've set better boundaries. I sleep in, train few clients and really take care of myself first. Sleeping in makes all the difference in the freaking world. I am twice as happy.

Well, now I think I'll focus on what's next. Start to create a new vision... anyone have any ideas?

Slow down everyone, you're moving too fast.

Thursday on Oahu... we finally made it back to the North Shore today. After 3 days in Waikiki, we were more than ready to come back up. The North Shore is much more mellow, and when the surf is firing, it's muy grande up here.

We had fun in Waikiki... 3 straight days of longboarding, some snorkeling, lots of walking and hanging out drinking Coronas. It's tourist town down there though. They've got the top designer stores down there now too like Fendi, Gucci, etc., and a Trump tower going up soon. It's a very different vibe.

We hopped on beach cruisers today for a stroll and it started raining on us. Since the air and rain is so warm, we kept riding. Ray said I was having too much fun on a bike. And I was. Happy freaking day.

Life is good here. I could definately live in this--but then how ever could I live anywhere else? It doesn't get much better.

It's so nice to have life slow down so much. Time to think, to sleep, to breathe. I am so happy on vacation. Like I always think... I could vacation for a living, no problem.

I guess eventually we have to go back to reality. Soon it will be Summer in SLO and life is pretty peachy with those conditions too.

I am REALLY missing Tay right now. It's been the longest in years I've been away from him. I saw him for a day between NY and Hawaii and he literally pinned me down... put his foot on my chest. I guess he was telling me something.

It's time for me to get a new place to live. If anyone still reads this, help me manifest a new studio with room for Taylor and a groovy location. Shell Beach or SLO town. I'm not too picky :O)

A few more days of paradise, then back to reality. Reality is pretty good too, but it's not quite Oahu's paradise.

Aloha!

Ray and I flew out of San Francisco on Saturday after a killer 8 mile hill run at Quicksilver with the parents and Sandra. What a blast it is to run free in the mountains! Taylor and Luna both reached their capacity at about 7 miles, so the last one was slow goin, but none the less incredible.

We arrived on Oahu at about 9pm, and headed North. We made it to the North Shore at about 10pm and were greeted by some awesome friends. I had no idea that there were guys in their 30s just hanging around surfing like Ray. These guys were everywhere. We blew up an aero bed and slept like babies. My head cold did not bode well with the plane ride, but a good night of sleep allieviated some of the pressure in my head.

First day on Oahu, we went for a driving tour, up the hill to an ancient temple site to check the view and the surf, down to check Pipeline and Sunset. The surf was huge. It looked just like all those movies we'd watched for so long back in cold watered California. There were surfers everywhere.

The people out here are much different from New Yorkers. It's like night and day. They're relaxed, they breathe, they go with the flow and don't really stress out. These people don't resist... they don't fight against what is, or try to prove what isn't. It's a beautiful thing.

It's good to see Ray... 3 weeks apart is a long time. He's happy here. I know he'd move back in a second if I said now. Ray and John paddled out at Freddy Land and V Land that day--yesterday. I stayed on the beach and read Song of Solomon--the Toni Morrison book I picked up at the airport. The book my mom's been telling me I must read. I'm loving it so far.

I watched them paddle out, but lost sight of them as they joined the sea of about 50 surfers in the line-up. Such good waves, such amazing surfers. They eventually came out, ran down the beach to where I was, and got going.

Amazingly enough, a friend of John's score Jack Johnson tickets. It's a festival he puts on every year, and this year Eddie from Pearl Jam, Matt Costa, and some local Hawaiian artists played. The show was meant to celebrate Earth Day and to teach the kids Kokua or respect for the land and ocean. It was freaking amazing. Warm breeze, warm rain, smiles... the people here are free. They don't trip out. They don't judge. They are so easy going. Anyway, the boys are going to surf and I'm going to hang out on the beach and in mother ocean.

This is paradise. Aloha!

Being Fearless in 2007

Ok, on to the conference. We had our first day with Seane Corn. She's just gotten back from India with Ashley Judd, who is the Global Ambassador for YouthAids and an actress.

She spoke for about 3 hours about India, the chakras in our own bodies, Carolynn Myss, and yoga. She has a great story, and great personality.

We went into the practice, and I don't know if I had too much PMS or if I was in a sensitive place, but I did not have a good experience. Since there were beginners in the room, she toned down the class a bit, but still made it difficult for everyone. What I didn't like was that she'd get us into asanas and seemingly leave us while she'd talk about something conceptual. After about 10 breaths, my mind tuned out and I started to get angry and feel abandoned. Maybe that's my lesson. Maybe it's time for me to start addressing anger and abandonment. It wasn't a one time thing though, it was the entire practice of these types of asanas, and the interesting part was, she wouldn't tell us how long we were planning on, so on some poses it was 5 breaths, and some 20-30 breaths. It was exhausting, and my blood sugar started to get low. Perhaps that's the emotion that needed be evoked, but I was not a happy camper, and I'd just had 10 days of perfectly taught JivaMukti classes. URGH. I don't know if her mind was caught up, or if this is how she generally teaches, but it wasn't something I'd go back to. She did talk again afterwards about chakras and other really interesing stuff. I have no doubt in her abilities, but this execution was painful and disheartening.

Ok, moving on. We saw Jane Goodall who was 100% enjoyable to watch speak. She is the one who studied with Luis Leeky in Africa and the first ever to live with Apes. She got her doctorate degree at Cambridge and went on to help apes and many other animals and humans too in her life. She started a company called Roots and Shoots, for our world's youth, read more about it!

Al Gore was terrific! He was ever so sly about addressing the country's current state, and was truely funny with his sarcasm. He is so well educated, and so very smart. He's got great insight into our globe and how to help keep this world a float. He failed to recognize how shifting to an animal free diet would better the Global Warming issue, but it's been estimated that 18% is from animal agriculture. That's more than fuel emissions from cars to my understanding. I think if he gets too far fetched he'd be rejected. Baby steps.

We saw Andrew Harvey, author of Sacred Activism, who reminded me much of the character from Back to the Future. He spoke about organized religion, about souls, about being crucified and reborn in our own lives, about archetypes, and about forgiving yourself.

We saw and heard much more. If any more comes to me I'll add it in. Oh, we saw Bobby McFerrin, who sung without any words, but rather chanted and made noises, beat on his own chest! He introduced Jane Goodall and Al Gore. He was great. He's the one who wrote 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'.

We also did a Chi Gong/Tai Chi class with Michael Craft, who was amazing.

We saw David Gershon who spoke about The Low Carbon Diet. His lecture was a little dry, and I became distracted and left. I found a company called I (heart) Yoga, started by a guy named Moses, which looks to be good stuff.

Well, thanks to Stephan Rechtschaffen and Elizabeth Lesser, founders of Omega, for another great year.

Back in California for some sunshine and quality TRI training before Hawaii! Wahooie!

Connecticut and Broadway

So after spending the evening with family again, sleeping on the couch, and waking early to make it to Grand Central Station in time for a Connecticut train, we were off!

We made it to Connecticut where Nancy (my grandmother's best friend) picked us up. Oh how beautiful it was to see her. She dropped us off at Aunt Teeper's house, whose existance has always been interesting to say the least. That side of my mom's family was very very wealthy, and watching the trauma of that unfold has been... well, interesting.

Christa and I set out in Teeper's 2003 Mercedes E class with something like 8,000 miles on it. She never drives it... always takes her Jag. We went to Rowaton market, a familiar place. We bought lunch and drove back singing and dancing in the car. Aunt teeper doesn't cook, doesn't eat much either.

After the dog food scare, she bought Pepperidge Farms cookies and only let her dog Lulu eat cookies for weeks. Like I said, interesting.

Anyway, we had dinner with Nancy that evening after a great nap and a drive around Darien. Nancy and mom talked all about who lived where and whose kids had become what or died early or moved wherever. They both agreed that they were the only two who could talk this way anymore, for everyone else has transcended on.

We ate dinner at the Lime, a fabulous restaurant with the same waitress we see once a year. Nancy shared her wisdom about sisterhood, relationships, and life, which we all LOVED her reflections on.

We woke up to rain, lots and lots of it. We made it to the train station and back to the city, still pouring. Grand Central had a cab line about 25 people deep. If we didn't have so much luggage we'd have walked, but we waited until our turn. Made it to the Sheraton eventually, where I began working on my new project... yes working. Christa and mom showed up with uncle Michael a few hours later after looking for Broadway tickets.

We ate at phenomenal restaurants... vegan or raw all of them. The favorites were Gobo, Pure Food and Wine, and Angelica's Kitchen.

We ate things like RAW ravioli, avocado soup, nut cheeses, etc. We also came across a couple who wrote the book RAWvolution. They started a restaurant in Santa Monica and SHIP OUT raw food on a weekly basis! The menu each week is different too! I think I will start ordering when I get back from Hawaii.

Broadway was great. We saw Company on Friday night, a show where each character not only sung, they carried around a musical instrument. They ranged from the flute, stand up base, french horn, trumets, triangle, and more. It was about one guy who is single and dating around. He has a bunch of couples who he hangs out with. All the girls and some of the guys want him. Their relationships start to evolve and fall apart, but they all encourage him to marry none the less. He wants to marry, but also is surrounded by a world that doesn't give the impression that it would last. It was great.

Then on Sunday night we went to The Color Purple. That was by FAR the best Broadway show I've EVER seen. Holy shit. The soul in those voices, the hurt, the pain, the suffering, the triumph. The theater was vibrating with energy, soulful, earthy, heavy energy. It was exquisit. Thank you Oprah!

New York Round Two

The second half of my journey in New York begun on Tuesday; my mom and sister arrived in the early evening. Knowing they'd be famished and needing nourishment, I'd gone to the local produce stand and bought as many vegetables as I could carry.

I knew dinner may be in a few different rounds... Morgan was due to arrive along with Ryan and Michelle. I prepped a gigantic bowl of vegetables: kale, cabbages, carrots, onions. I had tofu marinating in low sodium soy sauce (a second to shoyu), ginger, garlic and olive oil. In another bowl I had a huge salad with everything you could imagine! Carrots, spinach, mixed greens, cabbage, sprouts, etc. I also had sweet potatoes 90% done so the last heat would make them perfect. So when people showed up, all I had to do was throw ingredients into a pan, and poof! Dinner was served.

We took both dogs for a walk before Ryan and Michelle arrived, wandering around the streets of Brooklyn. It felt great to have a comfort group again.

I realized how much I depend on other people to motivate ME sometimes. I mean, it's a much different world motivating and UNmotivated person without anyone around you. It's almost too easy to get sucked in to T.V. or the comforts of a couch.

I did learn a lot while I was there, and I hope Ryan did too. I learned how I will act on these intensives in the future, and realize that if it's a live-in situation, I probably need to venture out more on my own.

I had a GREAT time... saw so many things. I'm going to start a new post to trick you into reading more!

Surviving via Yoga

After ONE week... I start to think. I could NEVER live here. What happened to being able to walk around in nature? What happened to friendly people? What happened to all these people to make them so driven and busy? The vibration of all the energy is unreal, and in the beginning--foreign. It's starting to frustrate me that now I'm used to this!

Don't get me wrong... I've had a blast here, and there is much more fun to have, but REALLY, I'm ready for California sunshine, directly followed by Hawaii sunshine. F*ck this cold weather and dreary people.

Jivamukti has been my only saving grace. The studio is amazing. The teachers are phenomenal, and syncronized in their teachings. You can tell they've all gone through the same training. Each class has similar components and series' but is also unique to the teaching style.

Let's see... what have I observed in the quality of their teachings...

Each class starts with chanting, singing and 3 invocations of om. Some of the instructors play that accordian/piano looking thing, whose name escapes me. There is a monthly focus. This month it's trataka. It's the practice (or my interpretation of it) of looking at a flame or an object without blinking and allowing your eyes to water. Once they do, you turn your practice internal and look through your 3rd eye. Each class I've done the meditation. It's pretty cool. The link will tell you a lot more about it.

The instructors then start with Surya Namaskar A and B, or some variation of them. The sequences are like none other I've practiced. They make sense... they're fun, but challenging. There was only one pose in the last 5 days I couldn't do... it was a version of a warrior 2 I believe, where you grab your front foot and straighten that leg. It's actually the pose David Swenson is doing on the left of these links. Wow. I did get the foot a little up, but holy smokes. That could have been the hardest attempted pose I've tried. I know there is much harder out there, but geez.

They all count: inhale, exhale, one... inhale, exhale, two... etc. Very clearly, methodically. The teachers instruct like leaders. This is how you do it. Period. It reminds me of Peter or Tawny--two teachers who definately have the articulation down.

I wonder when I'll start teaching more yoga. Up until this point, it's been small groups and private sessions. I guess I'd rather have an organized training before teaching. I don't make the time as of now to learn the Sanskrit, and I don't want to teach large groups until I do. Maybe I'm just scared.

I think what it really is, is just saying it over and over again, the verbal instructions that is. Over and over. I think I'll get an audio recorder and just start practicing. That's what it takes.

Well life at home is so busy that if I just get my own practice in, I'm a happy camper. I haven't been training for Wildflower. It's less than a month away, and I haven't done anything in a week but yoga. I feel great, but race day I may be hurting.

Well, I'm off to bed. Still on west coast time. It's almost 2am here. Time for the subway to rattle my bed in the wee hours of the morning, and the police cars to flash lights and sirens to go off. Oh how I love the city.

I close my eyes and think... just make the rats disappear. OMM...

Rats on the subway. Ick. The smell of the city has become normal, making me wonder if now I smell the same?

Last night I met up with one of my clients and his kids. We went out to a club, that was phenomenally fun. We had to drop the magic name to get in, but once inside we set up for thenight. Late night dancing and 2 bottles of Belvedere later, I took a cab back to Brooklyn. I love to dance.

I went to yoga today and yesterday. It's amazing yoga. Precise, articulate instructors, real chanting, exhilarating energy. There were about 100 people in today's Saturday 4pm class. In SLO, there are only morning weekend classes. This is crazy. To see 100 people in headstand or wheel pose, it's breath taking.

Ryan is being awesome and having great success sticking to his semi-vegetarian, dairy free, wheat free diet. I got a temporary gym membership so I won't go too crazy. It's still freaking cold though. I've seen 2 days of snow flurry... and this is April. Crazy.

I'm watching his 2 boxers silently knaw on eachothers faces. I still am going on the theory that inside dogs with no backyard go crazy. At least he has a roof they can roam on.

Well, dinner is made and eaten... I suppose I'll do something else. Hmmm... but what?

I imagine New Yorkers have knee issues in general from all the stairs and bad arch supported shoes. I keep observing body mechanics. It's just my nature.

Oh and the people here--still weird. Still off in so many lost worlds... and I say lost to me, but to them, I suppose I'm the lost one. It still holds true that the most friendly, centered population... the only ones that look you in the eyes... the yogis. Imagine that.

Hopefully I can get those rats out of my head. Maybe there are even some teenage mutant ninja turtles under there!!

The Gloomy Side of NYC

It's Friday. My fifth day of New York. Thus far it's been interesting... interesting in the sense that it's not home. It isn't my beloved central coast with endless mountains of clean air to climb, or ocean to play in.

Everything is spacially challenged here. The pools are advertised by feet instead of yards or meters... and FYI, 75 feet means damn short. You see a lot more junk everywhere.

I think the thing most challenging about the city is the people. They are unfriendly for the most part. You don't look at people in the eyes, which for me is horrible and challenging.

The other part of it all is living in someone else's space and trying to teach him how to reprogram his routines. Every night I blow up a double decker aero-bed, which, when it doesn't deflate isn't too bad to sleep on. I haven't had sheets, which means mid way through the night I wake up cold... or thinking the world has ended due to the sounds outside. I definately am not getting quality sleep.

Ryan gets up to work and I can either get up and out, or go back to bed in his room. It's alright. Oh and my clothes are in his room so the dogs don't chew them... which means I have to plan for anything before he rises to pack adequate clothing.

I feel like I'm cooking constantly, which I enjoy, but I'm trying to make things he'll enjoy... and coming from a donut and diet coke man--let's just say his body is in shock... tastebuds and all.

These are all good lessons.

We exercised yesterday, for the first time in a while. Damn I needed it. I was getting pretty cranky. It's harder to exercise here. It's cold... the gyms are small and equipment poorly taken care of.

I think I'll venture to D.C. today or tomorrow... see how much independence I can create in Ryan's eating routines.

Don't get me wrong... I am greatly enjoying my time, it's just an adjustment. I think the reason why I thought a month would be a good idea is because Ryan said that if I was coming to at least come for that long. I'm starting to think that was mostly for his benefit.

I don't need a month here. 3 weeks will be plenty, and Christa and Mom will be here soon enough. I do miss my beloved wine country, rolling hills, and ocean breeze.

And my boys... Ray and Tay... hopefully they don't disown me.

Brooklyn Day 1

Day 1 of Brooklyn, New York!

Today started where yesterday ended... on a red eye from San Jose to Newark, NJ. I half way slept due to the fact I occupied a middle seat. The man to my left was large and cuddley, so I leaned his way a few times.

I took a few different trains, but with commuter traffic (7-8am) and my baggage, I took a cab staight from manhattan. Now, knowing where the hell I am, not a big deal, but lost in the city with stuff, not so much.

So I got here, met the two precious boxers, who decided to lick me to pieces... I didn't argue since I had plain stench on me anyway. What a refreshing way to start the day!! After about an hour I started feeling sleepy and took a good nap.

Ryan and I headed for his girlfriend's house on the G Train in Brooklyn. She twisted her ankle, so we brought her Arnica gel and an ace bandage... oh and some chamomile and lavender tea for inflammation.

We then took a train to Manhattan where we shopped for running shoes and searched for JivaMukti, the yoga studio. We then ate a vegan lunch at a restaurant whose name I'm sure to eventually remember, and made Ryan's meal plan for his transition.

We then went to see 300 on IMAX which was incredible and LOUD! The men in that movie were delicious looking. Holy abdominals. I think that made the movie for me. Otherwise it was pretty bloody and violent, but the bodies... and they wore little speedo-like things so you could really see their legs. I'll get over it.

We then went to Whole Foods to get dinner, at this point we were famished so bought EVERYTHING in the store... carrying back on the L Train was tricky, but luckily, not far to walk.

I love vacation. I love that I'm able to take time off. I know I'm going to be a better employee and person because of this trip. Ray and I leave for Oahu on the 21st, and that will be the perfect Yin for this Yang life in NYC.

New Yorkers are quite interesting. Ryan tells me to not make eye contact... and the one time I did, the guy OBVIOUSLY looked me up and down. Crap. I'm used to at least trying the friendly vibe, but people here are so anonymous, it's amazing. We haven't seen anyone he knows AT ALL (besides his girlfriend) and he's been here 4 years!! If it were SLO, I'd have run into 15 people who I am closely connected to. Lots of freak shows too.

He's teaching me about the culture, about the trains, the city, the trends, the arts, and I'm teaching him about his body. It should be so simple. Such a good trade.

Well I should sleep. It's past midnight here, and even in California, it's past my bedtime.

...it is kind of nice being the only one with a tan here... but not flip flop weather--I'll have to wait until Hawaii.

That Wave

I slept in today, and I wasn't supposed to. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I don't want to be an early morning person anymore... not unless it's for my own benefit. I feel less stressed in general, after being pretty sick from last week's stress attack, and realize again that I can only do so much.

I'm wondering if this past weekend's 2 day cold was allergy related? I haven't had issues in the past, but the pollen in the air is thick. Venessa would be in agony.

I took Tay to the beach today after work. I almost took a surfboard, but took running shoes instead. That's the last time I won't bring both! The surf was perfect for me... little, clean, warm. The perfect wave. I imagine evening surf is going to be pretty good for a while... and I can't think of a better way to end my day.

Tay and I played soccer for about 3 miles. We'd switch off offense and defense, until we needed to gain some serious yardage. It was such good training to just run with the ball at my feet. It brings me back about 10 years :O)

I didn't bring my camera tonight, but it was one of those nights; warm breeze, pink sky, picture perfect. The clouds even have a way of perfectly framing the view, it's like they were only intended to be there... no where else.

After our run, I remembered what my live blood analysis doctor had said about releasing through cold water on the feet. I HAD to go in the ocean! After a brief dip, I could feel my body sigh. It only wanted to cool itself, and all that the day brought was heat.

I'm remembering how good this ocean feels, and plan to be in it as much as possible.... indefinately.