I took a five day break for a number of reason: work load, exhaustion and weekend visit with friends. A bit too long. This morning when I got up, our Grace (cat) lead to my yoga mat in the living instead of her bowl in the kitchen. What a cat! Now we have to refer her as a Yoga cat.
A nice 60 minutes with Jo was fabulous. Grace was monitoring me the whole time. When I was done, she then went out to the garden for a stroll. What a cat! I love her too much! Princess Grace.
A session of stretching really make my body go ahhhhhhhhh. I went out to the garden and ask Daryl to be my "wall" so I could do a head stand in our lawn. I am still working on the free standing. It will come on its due course. My arm stand lasted over a second today. Yay!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
a thought
After yesterday's Power class, my joints are kinds of feeling space there. It is rather interesting feeling. In the result, I did not go to the evening Anusara class. Actually I went but missed the start by 2 minutes so I had some tea and chatted with Allan briefly and headed over to the office to finish up some work I did not get to complete as I went shopping in the afternoon (tee hee). It was meant to be. It may not be a good idea to exhaust myself yesterday so I have been looked after somehow. See, go with the flow.
This morning I was not planned to get up early to the early Power class and I did not think that I would wake up early anyway, but I did, just past 5. So phoned mom and dad in Shanghai (kind of surprised them as I usually don't call this early), and spoke to mom about taking some supplements and of course knowing mom she has a way to irritate me. I was mindful though so I caught myself before I went over the edge. Yeah, more prepared and more mindful. With them coming over in a month, I need to be very mindful about our relationship. It is a tricky one.
After the call, I got up and decided to go to early Power instead. Cathy is the teacher this morning, she is the first one in my age group I think and even could be older than me. Sound pretty ancient I know. Right away after the lesson started, I noticed the difference. Cathy is quite "formal yoga" i should say. I don't know the right word to describe. I recognize the style, because it is in me or was in me. More strict, not loose enough, still not the right words. Anyway, I noticed that younger teachers are looser and more joyful and bolder. The class is not too hard today compared to the one I had yesterday with Danielle but felt serious. Which do I prefer? If I have not been doing Yoga, I might be more open to Cathy as a teacher, but I had so much fun lately with other young teachers (in their 20's and 30's), I have to say I prefer the young teachers. Surprising, isn't it? I am open to the young crowds now instead judging them from someone who came before them stand point of view, I am appreciating them. The world is shifting. Compare to our parents` generation, we are looser and more daring, but the new generation is even looser and more fun. I like that. I like the fact that I see it now instead of stricted by my own shell. I have came out.
Notice the difference of the teaching, I decided to stay with teacher and worked on my mind during class. I tried to maintain the calm mind, focus on my move and try to transcend from my move. I learned something about training my mind. It will really help me with the relationship with my mom especially. Learn to accept and press forward with my practice. Remembering what Christine said the other day "We practice because we forget.". It helps us to remember.
This morning I was not planned to get up early to the early Power class and I did not think that I would wake up early anyway, but I did, just past 5. So phoned mom and dad in Shanghai (kind of surprised them as I usually don't call this early), and spoke to mom about taking some supplements and of course knowing mom she has a way to irritate me. I was mindful though so I caught myself before I went over the edge. Yeah, more prepared and more mindful. With them coming over in a month, I need to be very mindful about our relationship. It is a tricky one.
After the call, I got up and decided to go to early Power instead. Cathy is the teacher this morning, she is the first one in my age group I think and even could be older than me. Sound pretty ancient I know. Right away after the lesson started, I noticed the difference. Cathy is quite "formal yoga" i should say. I don't know the right word to describe. I recognize the style, because it is in me or was in me. More strict, not loose enough, still not the right words. Anyway, I noticed that younger teachers are looser and more joyful and bolder. The class is not too hard today compared to the one I had yesterday with Danielle but felt serious. Which do I prefer? If I have not been doing Yoga, I might be more open to Cathy as a teacher, but I had so much fun lately with other young teachers (in their 20's and 30's), I have to say I prefer the young teachers. Surprising, isn't it? I am open to the young crowds now instead judging them from someone who came before them stand point of view, I am appreciating them. The world is shifting. Compare to our parents` generation, we are looser and more daring, but the new generation is even looser and more fun. I like that. I like the fact that I see it now instead of stricted by my own shell. I have came out.
Notice the difference of the teaching, I decided to stay with teacher and worked on my mind during class. I tried to maintain the calm mind, focus on my move and try to transcend from my move. I learned something about training my mind. It will really help me with the relationship with my mom especially. Learn to accept and press forward with my practice. Remembering what Christine said the other day "We practice because we forget.". It helps us to remember.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sweaty Morning
This morning is opposite of yesterday. I woke up at 5:15 am. Fooling around on the computer for a while and it was still early like 6:15 am and decided to go to Yoga class. Of course it was not planned. It was Danielle's Power. Only one hour, I figure that I could squeeze it in before my day starts. I have not been to Power for about a month. Last class I attended and I was only managing to do 40-50% of the class so I stick with Anusara for a while. Today was unexpected.
It was good. I don't think that I have ever sweat that much in my life. I always admire the fellow yogi beside who could sweat up a storm. Today I did it, beads of sweats emerge from me as a underground hot spring has just surfaced. I love it. I can sweat too. Yay! Weird reaction I know. I don't think that anyone else is that obsessed with sweats as I do. For someone who could not sweat, it is a big deal, it is revolutionary. High Five! I am feeling the Power.
I will go to more classes later today. Feeling awesome! Did I say "Work, Sleep, Yoga"? No kidding.
It was good. I don't think that I have ever sweat that much in my life. I always admire the fellow yogi beside who could sweat up a storm. Today I did it, beads of sweats emerge from me as a underground hot spring has just surfaced. I love it. I can sweat too. Yay! Weird reaction I know. I don't think that anyone else is that obsessed with sweats as I do. For someone who could not sweat, it is a big deal, it is revolutionary. High Five! I am feeling the Power.
I will go to more classes later today. Feeling awesome! Did I say "Work, Sleep, Yoga"? No kidding.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
a well balanced day
I slept in today unexpectedly. Very sweet to wake up and it was 8:40 am. A solid 10 hours sleep. Work today has a good flow and gets quite a bit out of way. Went to 2 yoga classes afterwards. I have to say that I absolutely enjoy the walk to the yoga. Each practice means something new. I am more and more immersed in the practice. Each practice becomes a deep meditation too.
Something I noticed today, almost every yoga teacher is younger than me but I feel that they are wiser than me. It is such a good thing. The world will go to a better place that way. I am very humbled and happy.
Something I noticed today, almost every yoga teacher is younger than me but I feel that they are wiser than me. It is such a good thing. The world will go to a better place that way. I am very humbled and happy.
Monday, April 12, 2010
a close call to a hand stand today
Return to Yyoga for lesson today after a 10 days' absence. My cold is quite manageable now. Ran into Syanne's advanced class. Yay, I was dripping wet again.
When we were called to do a handstand, I was almost there. The only thing hold me back is me. I was a little unsure about how I would manage after I kicked up. I remembered the time Vivian and I did our first headstand. Her little whisper of "mom, I did it" gave me so much encouragement and I rid of my hesitation and kicked up. I am sure if she was here today, we would be up there together. What a sweet memory we had together! Thank you Vivian and I miss you!
Yoga's "off the mat and on the mat" practice has helped me tremendously. I looked around the very full class today, most of people are younger than me including the teacher. How blissful it is! It is so good to see so many young yogis.
When we were called to do a handstand, I was almost there. The only thing hold me back is me. I was a little unsure about how I would manage after I kicked up. I remembered the time Vivian and I did our first headstand. Her little whisper of "mom, I did it" gave me so much encouragement and I rid of my hesitation and kicked up. I am sure if she was here today, we would be up there together. What a sweet memory we had together! Thank you Vivian and I miss you!
Yoga's "off the mat and on the mat" practice has helped me tremendously. I looked around the very full class today, most of people are younger than me including the teacher. How blissful it is! It is so good to see so many young yogis.
live in the moment
Releasing fear and live in the moment are two things connected. I have never thought about it till this morning. Fear often is about what might happen, that is our mind travels to the unknown future and speculating the negative consequences. To live in the moment is an antidote for fear itself. Just thought of that, my breath is getting lighter and fresher.
I have fears surface when I least expected. It is good to recognize them and toss them into a trash can unless I was standing on the edge of cliff then I should recognize it and listen to it. I should say fear about future we can generally toss.
I have fears surface when I least expected. It is good to recognize them and toss them into a trash can unless I was standing on the edge of cliff then I should recognize it and listen to it. I should say fear about future we can generally toss.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
a day of a thousand seeds
Since spring is here, we started our spring gardening today. I have loads of seed packets. Lay them all out on the kitchen island, a bit of overwhelming looking at them but also excited. Lots of work, but look at the colour. It is very encouraging. I start to see the colors showing up in our garden.
After a day of hard work, I have only a dozen of packets left for green house use tomorrow. Patience is virtue when it comes to gardening. Miracle in the making!
After a day of hard work, I have only a dozen of packets left for green house use tomorrow. Patience is virtue when it comes to gardening. Miracle in the making!
Friday, April 9, 2010
feel like spring
Nice sunny outside today. Grace came out and passionately rolled herself in the lawn. I was watching her supple body joyfully rolling back and forth in the lawn. I was inspired. I lay myself down, rolling back and forth like our kitty cat then lay myself in the grass. What a beautiful time! Daryl and I both noticed humming birds have returned and was looking for our feeders. We rolled ourselves off the grass and went inside get our sugar water ready for them.
Last night I tried to do some Anusara with Yogaglo and did not finish the lesson. The teacher was talking a bit of too much and I was irritated so I got myself out of the lessons. Check another teacher and mood was not there so I quited. I decided to try different style to see if I can find a teacher I enjoy learning from. Yay, I found Jo of Vinyasa Flow. I did 2 lessons this evening and really loved it. I love Jo's style - graceful, poised and speaks succinctly. I think that it is important for a teacher not try to please during the lessons, therefore for myself, not try to please in life too.
A great day indeed!
Last night I tried to do some Anusara with Yogaglo and did not finish the lesson. The teacher was talking a bit of too much and I was irritated so I got myself out of the lessons. Check another teacher and mood was not there so I quited. I decided to try different style to see if I can find a teacher I enjoy learning from. Yay, I found Jo of Vinyasa Flow. I did 2 lessons this evening and really loved it. I love Jo's style - graceful, poised and speaks succinctly. I think that it is important for a teacher not try to please during the lessons, therefore for myself, not try to please in life too.
A great day indeed!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Way of life
Today is the last day of Easter holiday. Things are settling again and my mind is still in the quiet place. I like my state of mind: calm, less affected by unfavorable situation. Joy and love are enhanced when things are going good, but not risking go to the other extreme. Last Saturday I was chatting with Erin about my yoga triggered by her question "you look really good". Yes, the changes in me are noticeable, physically and I also noticed more mentally. I demonstrated a few pose that I felt that more on the challenge side and I DID MY VERY FIRST PUSH-UP. Wow, it took me 40 years to get here. The feeling is incredible. I tried my splits and I was quite close. Very happy to know. My body is feeling like a well oiled machine and is ready to go.
I am amazed that the gentle form by Yoga has given me strength and not just any strength, it is core strength. Once you have core strength, the result comes almost like effortless.
I am amazed that the gentle form by Yoga has given me strength and not just any strength, it is core strength. Once you have core strength, the result comes almost like effortless.
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