Saturday, July 30, 2011

Training time!

There is training for certification in teaching yoga to children next weekend in Asheville, NC. It is a three day intensive training - and I am going! I am very excited and thankful that I get this opportunity. I was hesitant to mention this desire to my husband - after all, I have already invested quite a bit in my yoga quest. He was quite excited and sees that it could be a great fit for me.

So, off I will go to North Carolina next weekend for three days and many hours of yoga. Yahoo!!!!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Taking on the half moon!

Half moon is my new challenge pose. Just when I think I have them all, it seems like there is a new trend in all the different classes.

Here's what it is supposed to look like:
As I was looking for this illustration, the wall gave me a great idea on how to practice, but generally one is unsupported by brick and mortar! The idea is that you pivot on one leg, and the upward leg is in a straight line from your shoulders. Then you have to balance. This is going to take some work.

Another thing that is taking some work is getting my classroom ready for the new class that will be arriving in three weeks. I can already tell a difference in my appetite as the stress of school is on the horizon. Unfortunately for me, stress=appetite. My hope is that the stress release of yoga plus it's cardio benefits will help balance that out. And, I need some new habits.

Yoga East is offering a free introductory yoga class each Saturday night at 6:00. I'm hoping to rope my husband into going. I'd love to have a fellow yogi in my house -

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Always check the schedule!

All rolled up and ready to go!
My alarm went off on this lazy summer morning at 5:15 am - on purpose. I was so ready to go to my third power yoga class of the week. I forgot an important thing I have learned - in the unpredictable days of summer, check the on line schedule before you head to class. I arrived only to find a darkened studio with no cars in sight.

There was an upside to this, though. It's now 8:23 and I have already cleaned my laundry room, given my den furniture a complete vacuuming, and posted on both blogs. So, I guess I can say that yoga made me more productive even if I didn't have class.

I'll pick up a class later this afternoon - on my 151st consecutive day of yoga! I'm off to get a hair cut, and I have a great reason to stay in my very comfortable yoga clothes all day.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Yoga and Children

Hmmmm.......I've been thinking, and sometimes that is dangerous, other times it's expensive, occasionally it's brilliant.



Working with young children has certainly been one of my life's callings. After working at a summer camp in college, I was hooked. I changed my major and have pretty much been working with young children in some capacity ever since.

I have always been able to incorporate my real world interests into my teaching world. Art, literature, my family, my pets....sharing things I am interested in keeps teaching interesting for me. I have been contemplating how I will weave my interest in yoga into my classroom practice.

I have thought about breathing and stretching breaks, I've thought about having a couple of mats in the room for children that might need to take a break from our routine. I've been picturing myself in child's pose when the students are off to special areas and I need a break!

Yesterday I started investigating becoming certified as a children's yoga instructor. I've been known to get a wild haired idea every now and then, and I am trying to determine if this fits into that category. What might I do with it? Maybe incorporate it into my classroom teaching. Maybe teach a class or two after school. Birthday parties? Retirement job?

Might be an interesting thought process, or maybe just a passing phase.....

Monday, July 25, 2011

Yoga at the crack of dawn.....

I'm up in the summer at 5:15 am. Have I lost my mind? I'm off to a power yoga class. My goal is to go all four mornings that it is offered this week and for the four weeks that I have before the students start piling into my classroom. It's really early - we'll see how this goes.




Michael just asked me if I'm going back in the afternoon, too. Not so sure about that........


I just got back. It's 7:01AM and I have already done power yoga. I'm drenching wet and laughing as I look at the picture I posted. I didn't see the orange glow of the sunrise - just the orange glow of the heat lamps! I was able to secure the position farthest away from the heat. Just when I really thought I was going to die, she turned the fans on.

I survived....now, can I do this four mornings a week for the next four weeks???

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Yoga workshop = feeling great!

The yoga workshop was everything I expected and more. I was tickled that the first handout we were given was the same illustration that I posted on my blog yesterday. It turns out that we went through each element of a sun salutation and perfected our form and practiced doing it at the quicker pace that is typical of a power class.



My yoga self esteem was lifted as I realized that poses that at one time were so difficult to me now felt familiar. Rather than just learning how to get in the pose without killing myself, I was concentrating on polishing the pose and going deeper. I was astonished at how my body was cooperating - and especially impressed with my hip flexors. I must admit that just a few months ago "hip flexors" was not in my daily vocabulary.


I learned that the test for how your hip flexors are loosening up is what I call "Buddah Pose". I'm sure you have a picture of this in your head - sitting on the floor with knees bent and the bottom of your feet touching. Your flexors are pliable if your knees are approaching the floor. You are more flexible if you can move your feet closer to your body. Try it!  I'm sure my fellow teachers are saying  it's related to all those year sitting "criss cross applesauce" (yes, I still say that!).

Anyway - off to a yin class this afternoon. This week I am trying to get up early and go to a power class at 6:00 am. I know I'm ready for the power part, I'm not so sure about the early rising in the summer.....

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Power Yoga Workshop

On Saturday I am taking a two hour workshop on the basics of Power Yoga. I love yoga workshops because they use the extra time to take poses apart, explain them in detail, and you get to ask questions.

These are sun salutations, but the image of practicing around the sun seemed appropriate.


I am wanting to make sure I do 2-3 power yoga classes a week to help speed up my metabolism (i.e., weight loss). I am getting smaller - I probably feel smaller than I am. My distorted body image gets me really confused, but the scale screams at me that I could weigh in as a pro football player. I don't want to hyper focus on the scale, but my BMI is not yet in the normal range.

Our friend talked to us last night about his new eating regimen. He is eating only lean protein, vegetables and fruit. There was a good explanation about the absence of grain - and his results are pretty stunning. He's lost over 50 pound since mid May. I'm not sure I'm ready to jump on that wagon, but I was curious if anyone else had read the research on this way of eating.

Back to power yoga- usually the room temperature is elevated to 90 degrees or more. My girls tell me I will grow to love the heat, but I'm pretty skeptical. I'll let you know how the workshop goes.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Yin and Yang Yoga

One of my favorite yoga classes at Yoga-East is a combo of yin and yang. Yin poses are still, quiet, and held for a extended amount of time. I think this is important in my yoga practice because it stretches the deep inner connective tissues - especially in my hips, shoulders, and back. I know that especially in this phase of my life that I need to protect those joints in my aging body. Yin is also extremely relaxing!


In the Yin/Yang, we start with active poses. Just when I am starting to get tired, it's time for Yin. We come down to the mat. My very favorite yin pose is pigeon.  It stretches everything, and is so restful. After we come out of pigeon on each side, we do a counterpose - usually downward facing dog. It stretches the muscles in the opposite directions.

I certainly don't know for sure, but I feel like each yin class distances me from a future broken hip. Also, in the changes that I see in my body through the yoga experience, muscular thighs are top of the list (that's where I feel the stretch in pigeon).

Have to go put on my yoga pants for Yin/Yang class at noon. I have loved using summer to try new day time classes. I need to enjoy these days quickly - school starts back in just four weeks.

Again, these are not pictures of me.....just illustrations that I find on the web.

We start like this, but I have to put a blanket under the thigh that is extended to the back. 

We hold the pose for 5-8 minutes like this.



Tuesday, July 19, 2011

New Knees

I haven't had knee replacement surgery. I had  my ACL trimmed two years ago on my left knee, and was left with residual annoyance. Not pain, just steady discomfort. Last February I stepped in a rabbit hole, and limped for two months, just waiting until the point of intolerance before scheduling surgery for my right knee.

Again, this is NOT me! But it is the position that showed my new found knee flexibility!


I don't want to tout the practice of yoga as an instant orthopedic cure-all. But for me, it has brought complete relief of my knee pain. I went to a yin class this morning and was amazed that I was able to sit on the floor with my calves parallel to my thighs. I was even able to lie down with my legs in this position and hold the position for eight minutes - and, I was able to get out of the position.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Rocking Dancer Pose!

I've never been a dancer. I always wanted to be, but the talent and ability was not in my genetic make up. Dancer pose is a pose that I didn't know by name, but when it was first introduced to me I realized it was the picture of yoga I carried in my head. A strong woman standing while holding one foot in the air behind her.
This isn't me :)


Balance poses have been a huge challenge for me. But in the past couple of weeks I have been amazed that they have become possible. Perhaps not pretty, perhaps not perfectly executed, but consistently attainable. It feels great to take little breaks from gravity!

Today was my first day back at Yoga East. I returned from vacation and couldn't wait to get back to "my" studio. It felt like home.

Tomorrow will make 135 consecutive days. I don't have a new goal number - I just know I want to keep going.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Being Thankful

The very kind yoga instructor this morning was encouraging us to be kind to ourselves. His main point was to encourage us to not get impatient with ourselves when we weren't able to execute a pose to its fullest expression. That happens to me often in yoga. My first yoga instructor always talks about yoga as peeling a big onion. One never really gets to the fullest expression of a pose because there is always a way to make it harder or more challenging. I guess if one decided to be frustrated in yoga, they would always be frustrated in yoga - because you never arrive.

I am not always kind to myself. I get frustrated in all areas of my life when things aren't as I wish. To break this cycle, I have endeavored to employ thankfulness. Stopping and being thankful for all I have been provided, seeing God's gifts in my moment to moment life. Appreciating what is at my fingertips and recognizing things that I usually take for granted. I've heard people describe it as "an attitude of gratitude".

Are these two attitudes of being kind to oneself and being grateful related? More food for my thoughts.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The teacher makes all the difference!

Methinks there is a lesson in this for this teacher. After my self image busting yoga yesterday, I experienced a contrasting hour in the studio this morning.

I was greeted by a sincere spirit of welcome and appreciation just for showing up. The right teacher makes me want to do my best - try harder - reach my potential. It makes hard things easier just knowing that the teacher is there to direct the journey, and that she is joyfully exposing the path.

A day of feeling indignantly treated will be well worth it if I remember this every morning that I meet my first grade charges at my classroom door.

"Lord, give me a heart full of tender mercies and arms that will open wide." That's not scripture, but sometimes a country song can be full of inspiration.....

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

A different kind of hot at yoga......

I faced my 58th birthday yesterday with bravery. I know I am getting on up there, but I feel fit and smart and ready for at least a few more good years. And then I went to yoga today.

I was greeted at the studio by the instructor. She was pleasant and friendly. Then, she said "You do know this is a power class". I smiled and said, "yes". She followed up with, "We get pretty active in this class." My reply, "good".  Her turn, "As soon as you get tired feel free to take child's pose". My voice said, "thanks", my head said, "not on your young little life".

I think I would have been ok if I had not heard her greeting the next student. " Hi, this is a power class and you look like you are built perfectly for it."

Concentrate, Denise. No judgement, right? But then.....

We were doing three legged dog. She came to adjust my pose, which I always appreciate. As she was adjusting my pose, she gave the suggestion to all that if they are "dog flippers" they could flip their dog.
She leaned over and said to me with a hint of sarcasm, "are you a dog flipper?" and then giggled as if there is no way that could be possible. If I had flipped my dog right at that moment, I would have kicked her in the face. I didn't but, I did think about it.

I am sure that it could be true that I am just too sensitive.  I know that I can learn many good lessons from her insensitive statements. I hope I never make anyone feel that way. I hope that I was outwardly gracious even though I was inwardly steamed.

I also hope that I never have to take her class again. And it wasn't even that hard!

The upside was that I was ticked enough that I forgot to stop on the way home for pretzel m&m's.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Yoga - creates a yearning.

There is no deep thought here. Just a realization. No judgement, right? Yoga exponentially increases my desire for pretzel M&Ms.

That is my inspiration for today.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Gentle Yoga

I went to a class today called "Gentle Yoga". The instructor softly guided us through strenuous and challenging poses, but the idea was to slowly coax our muscles and joints move and stretch. I really liked the approach, and I drove home thinking about the word "gentleness".

Gentleness is a character quality I have always admired and sought to embrace.

My high school best friend/college roomie/matron of honor taught me many things. One of the things she taught me was that I could remember the nine fruits of the Spirit by remembering that the first three had one syllable, the second three had two, and the third three had three. Love - joy - peace - patience - kindness - goodness - gentleness - faithfulness - and self -control. More than just character qualities, I believe these are gifts God gives us.

I feel like I have a knack for, and certainly a longing to be gentle with people, especially with children. As the instructor today was taking us through strenuous poses today in a very slow, deliberate, manner, I thought about the wisdom in guiding and leading others in a gentle manner. Suggestions rather than demands when possible. The belief that children and even big people want to do the right thing, they just need a nudge in that direction and an example to follow.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Writing on my mat

My original mat was a Wal-Mart special, and after about six weeks of daily use and a good deal of time in my hot car, it was beginning to disintegrate. I went to a great shop in Nashville and invested a bit in a beautiful new mat. I hated it. It was too spongy and made my feet hurt. It was also a bit slippery, and that was the last thing this balance challenged yogi needed.

There are so many kinds of mats available. Many are like a life time investment. Some are clever, others are really cute. I didn't want to make another poor investment (luckily my daughter was thrilled to be gifted the expensive mat). Back to Wal-Mart. I bought a mat just like my first one, but I upgraded from gray to a rosy pink.

Often during yoga, I have wished I had written instructions, or diagrams to help me keep everything straight. I had thought about putting sticky notes all around my mat to help me remember to breathe, stretch, align...I could go on and on. There is so much to remember! So, I got out a Sharpie and wrote three things on the top of my mat:

"my mat, my time, my body, my practice" (this is helpful when I feel old and clutzy)

"no judgement" (I wrote this because I really hope it is true)

"breathe" (if I forget this I'm in big trouble!).

At my next yoga class, I realized that it had really helped me focus on these things to have them right in front of me.

I was also feeling proud of my accomplishment of approaching 100 days of continuous practice. I was getting close to the goal, so I added tally marks on the side of my mat. As of this writing there are 125. I like seeing this in ink.

I added the phrase from what I an now calling my yoga song "I get a little bit stronger". Then, things would just come to mind every now and then. I was having a dickens of a time with the balance pose the call Tree (I have another name for it that I won't mention). I wrote the scripture from Psalm 1, "you will be like a tree firmly planted" - so I was inspired to be planted and solid in more ways than on my mat.

There's a few more - some that show a bit of my struggle with yogi philosophy. Later......

Friday, July 8, 2011

Keeping up with it all.....

Keeping up with my yoga practice while on vacation has not really been hard at all. It has meant getting up a bit early on some days, and I may be giving up a little shopping time (did you know that Fort Myers is home base for Chico's?). I drove in for class today and had my days and time mixed up. I thought I was 10 minutes early for a 12:30 class, but I was actually 20 minutes late for a class that started at 12:00. Oh well. I really enjoyed practicing by myself at the condo. I always feel like I work harder in the studio, but was pleased with my efforts on my own.

I also spent some time writing on my mat. I don't know why I am writing on my mat, it is not something I have seen anyone else do in yoga. More on that another time.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Yoga - exercise or philosophy of life?

For years I believed that Yoga might be in conflict with my faith. There seemed to always be allusions to Buddhism, and I had heard that the practice of transcendental meditation was taught in many studios. I went to my first session leery of these things, and in my over one hundred sessions at Yoga East, I was never uncomfortable with the philosophical side of the practice of yoga. The studio I am visiting in Florida is the other side of the coin.

I personally use the stillness and quietness for prayer. I wonder how many studios have this bent, and how I would feel about yoga if this had been my first experience? Interesting.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Slow and Steady?

I went to my third class at Joyful Yoga this morning. I was excited to have another 90 minute class, ready for a hard work out. The pace at this studio is so much slower than what I am used to, I found my mind wandering a bit. I feel like the slower pace allowed me to find the correct pose and hold it longer, but I left wondering if I was working my body as hard as I am used to in an hour class. But, being sure that it was more of a workout than sleeping in, I surely I advanced my journey toward fitness.

Today is day 121. I know I have made progress - yet sometimes I think I imagine that I have made more progress than I really have. I stopped after yoga at my favorite lingerie store - dressed in my Target workout clothes, straggly hair, no make-up, yet feeling like I am fit and thin and ready to take on the world. I think I might have a distorted body image. Really. I saw some really cute tops in the store and took them back to try them on, thinking they will look great due to my four months of diligence in yoga workouts. The mirror was my reality check - letting me know to keep at it, and reminding me that I am not always kind to myself and that have a pretty fragile self image. Slow and steady - it's ok? Right? I think I need to convince myself of that.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Independence Day - Striking a balance pose!

Huge country music fan that I am, I blasted and repeated Martina McBride singing "Independence Day" all the way in to yoga. That song has nothing to do with the Independence of America, but somehow I feel less than American if I don't listen to it on the Fourth of July!

I was amused in class as the instructor talked about independence throughout our practice. We were approaching that time in each class that I dread - balance poses. The klutz that remains in me always shows up about this time in each class. We were doing a sequence of warrior poses - they are numbered, and the higher the number, the more I am challenged (and they only go up to 3). Warrior one - great, done. Warrior two - great, done with concentration. I know what is coming next. Warrior three - stand on one foot, lean over, extend the back foot (this is usually where I start wobbling), lean your head toward your toe (I never get this far), and extend your hands toward the foot that is up in the air (sure!).

Is my issue gravity? Weak muscles? Fear? Well, today, on day 120, I listened and followed the instructions and I did it. I didn't know I was going to do it. But I did as if I had always been able to do it - I felt like I was flying. If I want to show off some basic writing skills, I can call this my Independence Day pose. Did I break away from gravity, fear, or inexperience? I don't know, but it is a great little victory for me to celebrate....

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Joyful Yoga

The yoga studio, Joyful Yoga, was quite a bit larger than Yoga East. About five times larger. I went and signed up, and had to affirm that our family owned property in the area to take advantage of the special. Apparently it was not for vacationers!

I liked that the class was 1 1/2 hours rather than just an hour. It was very slow paced, and there were really no new or difficult poses. The instructor gave very clear instructions and the slow pace helped me think about my form. Most of the practioners were in my age bracket. They sold a great deal of yoga related merchandise in the studio, and may have had the cutest yoga pants I have ever seen. But, after landing such a bargain for the classes, I maybe should resist the temptation of $85 yoga pants. I missed the personal touch and little adjustments and massages that I receive at Yoga East at home.

I'm going in again tomorrow for a 90 minute flow class. I hope I can last that long!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

A Yoga Deal in South Florida

I came on vacation wondering how I would continue my yoga practice. I packed my props in case I found myself without an affordable and convenient studio. I had searched online to see what was available, but the most attractive sounding studio charged $18 dollars a class. Yikes - that would ruin Mike's vacation!

Tonight we went in town to eat at California Pizza Kitchen. I know, that doesn't sound very beachy, but we love it. We happened to pass the the expensive studio - what I saw almost made me jump out of the Subaru! There, hanging above the door, was a banner proclaiming a two week special - unlimited classes for two full weeks for just $49 dollars. Yippee! It's about a 20 minute drive, but I think I'll be able to do that on most days.

Yoga at the beach. It should be interesting......