Thursday, October 28, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 30!


Well. There's that, then.

30 days on a yoga mat has taught me a thing or two about patience and acceptance. I'm not the same girl who was once mistaken for a Cirque du Soleil performer by a Cirque du Soleil performer. I don't teach 10 dance classes a week anymore. I eat what I like, when I like. I refuse to attempt to strong-arm my body into the exact proportions and shape it once was. I like it too much; it's what keeps me wandering this planet and it's what keeps me dancing.

Tonight I dedicated my practice to my dear friend Lou: a woman who has demonstrated more strength, grace, flexibility and humor than can be found in any yoga class, anywhere. I love you, Lou. If I could do on a mat what you do in your day-to-day world, I'd be the most sought-after yogini this side of India.

Here's what happened over the last 30 days:
  • My leg bones feel longer
  • I can dance more expressively; there's more strength to play with
  • I sleep much better 
  • My mood is generally brighter
  • I do laundry way more often (I have worn the same three tops all month)
  • I'm more flexible physically. Emotionally, we'll just have to see.
Will I keep going? Yes. My unlimited month doesn't run out for another week, after all. I'll probably take a day off here and there, though. 

Thanks for keeping up with me here. I've received a ton of encouragement from a lot of people, and I really appreciate it. Believe me, if I can do something for 30 days, so can you, and I think you should give it a go. It's a worthwhile trip.



What am I missing here?

This sold out on Gilt Groupe (thanks, Maia, for the news.) At $198 a pop. It looks like a second-grader's holiday art project for mom to me. Am I missing something? Anyone?

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 29

I know, the suspense is mounting! Will she do it? Will she continue? What kinds of important and life-changing insights has she had? I'm just as interested to find out.

I did an image search for "suspense yoga" and this was one of the results.

In the meantime, today I took a hot power fusion class. I wanted to sweat out the beef marrow I ate last night with my fella. The fact that we can enthusiastically share marrow bones is further proof that we belong together, by the way.

I realized that while I can certainly see the benefits in still poses, the flow is what I really love. Which is no surprise considering that I would rather dance than do just about anything else. Also, weirdly, I was barely sweating at all even though the room was near 100 degrees. I'm thinking my system loved that marrow so much that it wants to hang on to it.

What happened: My butt muscle has stopped hurting. Huzzah!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 28

OMG, OMG, only two more days!

Right now, the plan is to take the 6:15 pm class on Thursday at Core Power North Boulder. If you'd like to join me, please do! Maybe we can grab some noodle soup after.

Gratuitous pho.

So, my hair withstood today's class, though I fear that it was still off gassing the dye from yesterday. I withstood today's class too, and for the first time ever was able to hop my feet from downward-facing dog to the front of my mat. I almost pitched forward into the mirror, but that's okay. Everyone was too busy admiring my hair to notice. That's the good news. The bad (or hopefully not) news is that I seem to have strained my right glute somehow. Hopefully a little couch time (like, an hour) will fix that right up.

What happened: I spent too much of the class wondering why the lady next to me wasn't sweating. The room thermometer read 99 degrees.

Monday, October 25, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 27

I blame Emmy.

She did such an amazing job on my hair this afternoon, including a silky smooth blow out and 24-karat hair glitter (really much more subtle than it sounds) that I couldn't bear to put it up in a ponytail and sweat out the great product. So instead of going to a yoga class, I paraded around town for a while, then brought my mat inside, turned up the heat, and helped myself to xfinity on demand yoga. 

I do love my hair, but not the best choice, yoga-wise. I am much more able to focus in the presence of peer pressure. However, I completed the 50 minutes, so it counts. And my hair still looks great.


What happened: I will never know what extreme heat and humidity do to fresh hair color and 24 karat gold hair glitter. And that's okay.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 26

One of the things I really like about this project is that I've reconnected with a number of people who go to the same studio, and whom I haven't seen in years. Today my friend Nancy practiced beside me. She lives about three blocks away from my house, but circumstances like kids and jobs have kept us from seeing each other in about four years. Nancy's great, and she can do a killer side crow.

In a previous post, I wrote about how shivasana is one of the most challenging poses in yoga for me. Today's class was packed (you'll have that in this town at 8 on a Sunday morning) and really hard. I'm not one to push myself right to my edge physically because that's how I wind up on the couch begging my friends for Percocet. And I certainly did not push myself today. I backed off of a number of poses because I felt shaky and my muscles started hurting. When it was time for shivasana, I was relieved. As I lay there, the teacher talked us through. He walked over to me and picked up one of my feet, placed it down, and did the same for my other foot, both arms, and my head. It was absolutely sublime. With my body really connected to the earth thanks to his manipulations, I finally understood that shivasana works.
Kinda like this but without the blue jumpsuit.

 What happened: a little heart opening, a few tears. Yum.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 25

Building on the universe's wobbly theme yesterday, this morning's class was full of bound standing poses. Which I could do, for the most part, though I could not fully bind and I did wobble quite a bit. But more important than that is that I loved them!  For whatever reason, I find one-legged poses...flying, standing, bending...really peaceful and relaxing.  I am, however, a bit dizzy from the heat still.

This is one of my favorites.


And like my very wise friend Margo says, "Wobbling is always a step toward more balance. Wobble on!"

What happened: I will be able to bind someday or I won't, and it does not matter one bit.

Friday, October 22, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 24

Today was the apex of my crazy schedule this week, with my parents' arrival in Boulder for a quick weekend trip. It wasn't easy to find the hour to get to a class today, but I did. It was completely packed, really hot, and the most physically challenging experience I've had so far. Which wasn't the fault of the instructor at all, though the poses weren't a cakewalk. 

I love balance poses, like dancer, eagle, flying eagle, half moon, and especially tree. I find them extremely relaxing and usually feel like I can stay in them indefinitely. But today I was totally wobbly. My legs did not feel like my own in the balances leading up to tree. Funny, though, once I got into tree, I rooted down and settled down almost immediately.



Oh, and for whatever reason, camel is no longer a problem. At least today. We'll see about tomorrow.

What happened: I learned that being right next to the door means a blast of cool air every 20 minutes or so. Is that cheating?

Thursday, October 21, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 23

Breakfast on the deck of the lodge at Esalen
When I'm at Esalen for Soul Motion workshops, I pop awake at about 4:30 in the morning. It's still really dark outside, so I sneak out of my room with my pre-packed bag and wander down to the lodge to make coffee in a travel press. I check email on my phone, have a couple of sips of coffee, and then continue on my way down to the cliffside baths. Usually there's almost no one there, so I fill a white metal tub with hot springs water and slide in. I stare at the ocean or the stars, or close my eyes and fall asleep a little bit. Eventually, the sky and the water turn slate and more people come wandering down. When the sun is fully up, I shower, get dressed and trudge slowly up the hill to breakfast. I'm usually pretty hungry by then. Every day it's the same marvelous thing for breakfast for me: two hard-boiled eggs, a bowl of 7-grain hot cereal topped with homemade granola, yogurt, and shredded coconut, and a couple of prunes. If I'm feeling frisky, I'll eat an orange. I'll chat with people in my workshop, good friends from around the world I've come to know well over the years, even if we only see each other every 12 months. And then we dance.

I tell you all this to describe the very specific feeling of waking up slowly, centimeter by centimeter, and in particular the moment when I am finally awake, which is when I'm walking up the hill, hungry and happy. This is exactly how I felt leaving the 6:30 class this morning. What a wonderful way to begin again. The only problem is that no one had breakfast ready for me.

What happened: I miss Esalen. A lot.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 22

Today was a hectic day, and though I got back to Boulder in plenty of time to make it to the studio, I decided instead to stay home and do yoga with Ginger. She does a perfect three-legged dog pose.

A few days ago, I signed up for a free week of yoga online. The class I chose tonight wasn't great, and I wound up spending most of the time wondering how to get dog hair off a sticky mat. In fact, I bailed on the class after 30 minutes. I just wasn't feeling it. I know that if I'd been at the studio, I never would have left a class. I feel like I took the easy way out, but that's pretty much okay.

Ginger feels bad about depositing fur on my yoga mat.

I did give Camel a try because I was curious about whether I'd have a hard time of it alone. Turns out I like it just fine when I'm doing yoga with my dog. No dizziness, no discomfort, it feels pretty good. Like my grandma says, go know.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 21

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

This evening's yoga experience was a towel-wringer. I was very happy to go, most especially because I got to horn in on date night for my pals Josie and John. And by horn in I mean threaten to put my mat between theirs. 

The class was challenging, and I was able to keep up. It felt great. In fact, I managed to get both feet off the ground in Crow, even if it was only for a tiny moment. 

What happened: I got sweat (mine) UP MY NOSE.

Truth in advertising, part 2

Ow.  
This SKYY campaign is running nationwide. Or worldwide, for all I know. Now, I'm no prude and I know sex sells, especially when it comes to booze. I don't fault any ad people for taking the easy way out. I know what it's like to work for difficult clients. Put in 70 hours a week. To have to be creative on demand. But still. I couldn't help myself. I sent this message to SKYY:


And I finally got a reply (emphases and commentary mine):

Dear Hollie,
Thank you for your letter. We truly appreciate you taking the time to contact us regarding your impressions of our SKYY Vodka advertising.  

Our intention with our SKYY Vodka advertising is to create images that are sophisticated cocktail moments (I'm not much of a drinker anymore, but I don't remember ever having a cocktail moment quite like that) that are both appealing and provocative for the target demographic of our products: legal drinking age adults (So then I am your target demographic. I do not find this image appealing). The campaign is comprised of (Hey, Mr. PR Guy, this should read "composed of." The whole comprises the parts; the parts compose the whole) the exaggerated images of individuals having fun experiencing SKYY Vodka. (I take issue: there is no way for the viewer to know whether this individual is having any fun whatsoever experiencing SKYY vodka.) They are intended as fantasy pieces denoting a sense of allure, glamour and style. Any copy in the ads is minimal, we make no claims, but hope consumers as part of the contemporary cultural environment understand the artistic, impressionistic nature (I know that art is in the eye of the beholder, but I don't believe anyone involved in the creation of this ad at any point intended for it to be art) in which they are presented. 

As with any piece of art, the viewer is open to their own personal interpretation and feelings. We apologize if you were offended by these ads in any way. In no way are we intending to create images that degrade women or suggest sexual proclivity. (Really? Really. A woman that does not exist from the thighs up? With an enormous bottle of vodka dare I say shoved between her legs?)  All of our advertising follows the strictest marketing guidelines (Well, that explains it), as outlined by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. 

We thank you for expressing your concern and hope that this letter clarifies our advertising intent. We will review your comments in detail and consider them carefully in relation to our ads and any future ads within the overall campaign.
Sincerely,
Dave Karraker
Director, Public Relations and Events
Skyy Spirits  

Hey, Dave. Hi there. Here's some advice: don't try to sugar-coat what you're doing. If you're selling vodka with sex, more power to you. It's a successful strategy. But you insult my intelligence when you try to convince me that black is really white.

Monday, October 18, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 20

2/3 complete, my friends. It's hard to believe I've done anything at all for 20 days in a row. I do not have what you would call staying power, typically. I'm a great starter, as I discussed with a pal last weekend, but I lack the wherewithal to follow through. I am feeling optimistic. However, I have a tradeshow this week, and then my parents are coming to visit this weekend, so scheduling will become even more of a challenge. And, mom, my house might not be as clean as I'd like it to be for you. Sorry in advance.

Anyway, today I again met with my resistance to camel pose. 



heh heh
It's a heart-opener, and it's really not that challenging. At least, it didn't used to be for me. But now every time I stand on my knees and start to bend backwards, I get queasy and dizzy. I sweat. I feel panicky. I'm not sure if this is because I'm exposing my belly and heart, or if it's because I'm afraid my noggin is going to fall off the end of my neck. Both of these are valid theories. I would welcome any others, as well as any advice (except for, you know, don't do that.)  

What happened: The bod says no to forearm stands as well.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 19

It's Sunday evening. I had every reason to stay in bed this morning, which means that I didn't get to the early class. So it's the last class of the day for me -- restorative, or Yin -- which is probably a very good thing.

Not exactly like this, though.

I have had an extremely short fuse lately. I don't know whether it's the result of all the yoga releasing an avalanche of toxins (physical and emotional) into my system, or whether the heat and intensity are riling me up instead of calming me down.  But then on the plus side, I was able to easily perform the gymnastics required to crawl under my house to change the furnace filter.

This Yin class was exactly what I needed. It's done entirely on the floor. No effort, all ease. I am calmer, just in time for Mad Men.

What happened:  I fell asleep in supta-something-something-something.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 18

I can't help myself. Please forgive me.



Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I'll tell you that though I had reservations about going to a strenuous class today, I'm glad I did. Most of the time, the shivasana is really short at the end of class. It's almost like the time gets away from the teacher, so the shivasana gets shuttled for the most part. It's the hardest pose for me to do, and I believe it's probably the most important (for that very reason.)


So I was thrilled today to have an actual 5-minute shivasana. It was absolutely lovely; my mind floated on fluffy white clouds. Time stood still. It was effortless, which I think is what you're aiming for when you're imitating a corpse. 


And by the way, we Jews think that the number 18 is very lucky. It's the symbol for life. 


What happened: Like. Like like like.

Friday, October 15, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 17

My friends,

Today, circumstances (including questionable eating habits yesterday) conspired against me getting to the yoga studio for a class. Instead, I signed up for a free week of yoga on demand and streamed a 30-minute restorative class, which is all I felt I could manage.


I am now supremely relaxed and not a little sleepy.


What happened: I'm listening to my body when it says, "Hell no."

Thursday, October 14, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 16

I did it.

I got up well before the asscrack of dawn and got to a 6:30 a.m. class because that's all my schedule would allow today. And I'm glad I did...it felt great. HOWEVER, I was in a huge rush after and neglected to eat breakfast before a three-hour meeting. Not so great. Am trying to remedy that tout de suite, before I go all crazy on someone who I'm sure will not deserve it.

I'm over the hump, experiment-wise. Hooray!

What happened: The class felt pretty easy, so I thought I made incredible overnight progress. Turns out it was pretty easy, according to my pal Josie, whose husband said it was the most mellow level 2 class he's ever been to. Perspective.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 15

First, for Haiku Ambulance:










Last night was a long night at a work-related event. And today was a long morning at another work-related event. I find that the most challenging thing about this experiment so far has been trying to fit classes into my schedule without justifiably pissing off my business partners. So far, so good. At least I haven't heard otherwise.

Today I went to a level 1.5 class because it was all that fit into my schedule, and I thought that it would be good to lower the intensity for a bit. Turns out the class was slower, but more intense because of its slowness. And thankfully, no 80s music. Now I'm off to dance after a quick snack. I'm tired just thinking about me.

What happened: Sudden realization: Sometimes, I move through events in my life quickly so that I won't have to fully feel the hard stuff. This is an extrapolation based upon the insight that I prefer level 2 classes because they're faster so I don't have to feel the discomfort in the poses as I move through them.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 14

It was cold and rainy and dark this morning, and it took everything I had to leave my house and my dog for the yoga studio. Honestly, if I weren't blogging about this every day, I would have skipped it. I would have given up. But for some reason, I feel accountable now. At least to my mom.

I was frustrated in class today. Tired, very low on energy, and I had a hard time following the instructor's flow. As much as I don't want this to be about reviewing instructors, I have to say at least that I really don't want to hear Michael Jackson in yoga. I just don't.

Last night I had a dream I haven't had in a really long time. I was getting ready to teach a dance class and had forgotten my music. It was in my garage, all dusty, and I didn't have time to go get it. The class I was about to teach was composed of people tucked into beds, all cozy. The studio owner told me that there would be a few hours before I had to plug in because there were other events before mine. 

What happened: I'm glad I went. It was a good opportunity to practice acceptance.

Monday, October 11, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 13

Hello, Denmark!

It's super cool that a number of people (besides my mom; hi, mom!) are following my experiences here. I can figure out who's coming from where from the most part, but Denmark has me stumped. So whoever you are, Hej der! 

On to day 13....
"I assure you that among the many gifts your presence brings to humanity, your ability to do a headstand is not at the top of the list," --Matt the yoga instructor

No shit.

Almost 10 years ago, I had three vertebrae in my cervical spine fused together with the femur from a cadaver. Gruesome and painful, yes. But also incredibly successful, which I credit to myself and my doctor in equal parts. I did absolutely everything he told me to do. And when he removed the neck brace I wore 24/7 for six weeks, he told me I could do absolutely anything I wanted to save for three things: bungee jump, skydive, and stand on my head. Check. Check. Check.

The experience I had in class today was exceptional. It was hard to keep up, and I was schvitzing like nobody's business, but I left feeling really, really clear-headed, calm, and hungry. I do not care that I cannot stand on my head. And I don't think I ever will. 

What happened: I got one toe off the ground in Crow. Progress!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

I thought this t-shirt said "mental."




But no. It says "rental." What does that even mean? That you can rent this nice lady in the photo? Thanks for faking me out again, Ideeli.

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 12


Hi there.
Noon on Saturday at a hot yoga class in Boulder is not where you should go if you get all territorial about sweaty strangers touching your mat. This class was packed. A little too packed for me, and a lot of talk about community courtesy of the instructor.

But for all the good things she had to say about the benefits of community, there seemed to be little of it. I tried making eye contact with the people around me: no go. A little chitchat in the locker room. Nope. It's not that I felt shut out by a community I'm just joining; it's more that every person seemed very much a silo. I know that there's community in breathing together. Sometimes that's all I want too.

So here's something I don't understand. Maybe someone reading this can help me out. Every single time I go to a class, I use the bathroom just prior to setting up my mat. And every single time I go to class, I have to pee again after the first standing backbend. What's up with that? I tough it out, but flying eagle is really hard with a full bladder.

What happened: The classes are starting to seem very short.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 11

You would think that the 8 a.m. Saturday yoga class wouldn't be packed. Or, I would think that. It was mat-to-mat in there this morning, at a level 2 class. I came on the late side, which is to say that I came 5 minutes before class started instead of 15, so the only space available was right next to the ballet bars on the wall. Yes, I hit my head on them.

I really liked the guy who taught this class. That is, I really liked the way he taught it. When I was training to lead movement classes, I learned that the best way to connect with your students is to feel what's happening in your own body and then articulate it in the form of an instruction. That's what this teacher seemed to do, and it really worked for me. I left the class feeling clear-headed, bright-eyed and shiny. What a relief.

What happened: I'm feeling some satisfaction. Yeah.

Friday, October 8, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 10

Lest you think I am completely new to yoga, I'll tell you that 1) They don't let you move to Boulder if that's the case, and 2) I've been doing yoga on and off (mostly off) for about 15 years. I even brought weekly classes to two companies I worked for with pretty good success. 
heavymetalyoga.org/

I started with Hatha, then moved on to Iyengar (some serious shit) and then Anusara. The spiritual aspect of any form of body-centered practice can be really wonderful. Personally, I find movement practices that are off the mat, include interaction with others, and that are facilitated, like Body Mantra and Soul Motion, more spiritually accessible. So I don't have expectations that yoga will transform my spiritual life. That having been said, I am totally open to it.

It certainly didn't happen tonight. Which was sort of unremarkable except for the fact that my friend Joy joined me! Joy was kind enough to donate her mat cover to my cause the other day, and she put up with the nerve-jangling music and the hot, humid, and smelly room this evening. Bless her.

What happened: After 10 days, I'm kind of bored. Is it that I have a short attention span? That I'm not connecting with the teachers? That I don't like to hear metal while I'm in dancer pose? I have only 20 more days to find out.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 9

Last night, I went to a Body Mantra movement class, like I do every Wednesday evening. I have to say, my movement was much bigger and felt much more solid, even on one foot. Am I building strength? I think so. 

Today, I woke up at 5:30 and almost went to a level 2 class, but thought better of it after I considered my history of overdoing stuff and injuring myself. Instead, I went to a slower class. I'd like to say that I floated out of the building with that yoga-y, dewy-eyed bliss. But that would be a lie. I left feeling vaguely unsatisfied. I don't blame the teacher, though having been a movement teacher I certainly feel like I could. I'm thinking a great dinner with my fella and a good night's sleep will do the trick.

What happened: I wanted more.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, day 8

In an effort to build discipline, which I sorely lack, I decided I'm going to post here daily instead of weekly. 

Today's class: Hot Power Fusion. I was really looking forward to getting all sweaty and slide-y this morning, and I certainly did. My expectation was that it would be a power flow class, where you kind of do yoga calisthenics for an hour. Imagine my surprise when the instructor led us through a series of balance poses instead. Tree, one-legged tree, eagle, flying eagle, dancer, etc., etc. I was still adequately slippery, no question about it. But I kept wishing it were different. Yeah, I know, what's the point in that, right? I am clearly no yogi yet.


What happened: I realized that regardless of whether a class met my expectations, I'm still glad I went.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

30 consecutive days of yoga, week 1

in which I subject myself to smelly rooms full of Boulder yoga people in order to simply see what happens.

Day 1: Wednesday, September 29
My friend Josie has been going to Corepower Yoga in North Boulder for some time now. She loves it, and she's been on my case to go with her for months. I always felt that Corepower was kind of the fast food of yoga: lots of food without any nutrition. Of course, I formed that opinion without actually ever going. So I took my snobby self to a class with Josie. First impression: the room smells like sweaty manparts. Second impression: there are no men in the class. It was a level 1 class, so I thought it would be easy. But because I've been on the bench, essentially, since the end of March, it hurt. A lot. 
What happened: I patted myself on the back for taking care of myself.


Day 2: Thursday, September 30
The room still smells weird. Why do all these people bring towels? Why are my arms shaking in high plank? What's with the situps in the middle of class? Who are these people who can go to yoga in the middle of the day, anyway? Don't any of you people work? 
What happened: I said hi to my inner judgmental bitch.

Day 3: Friday, October 1
Okay, the other studio room doesn't smell nearly as bad. And I like this instructor; he's also nice to look at. My arms aren't shaking as much, but put me in triangle pose and I want to throw up. 
What happened: I resolved to get stronger.


Day 4: Saturday, October 2
Dim sum for brunch. Lots of it. Which you would think would preclude the Hot Power Fusion class. But no. I figure if I have to run out of class, fine, I'll just position myself close to the door. Which I do. Everyone in class has a piece of fabric that they cover their mat with, and then spray with water. I do not. And oops about that, because I'm sliding all over the place, starting in downward dog and winding up slipping into high plank. I am dripping with sweat. But I can go deeper into the poses, and my mind has stopped spinning thanks to the fact that unless I pay close attention to the instructor, I look like a complete asshole.
You know that's not me because I'm not blond.


What happened: I started pricing those mat cover thingies online. They're expensive!


Day 5: Sunday, October 3
I go to yoga instead of going to dance class: a first. It's a level 1 class taught by a much-beloved charming gay instructor guy. I can see why people adore him. He proposes radical acceptance of limitations.
What happened: I wished I had more gay male buddies.


Day 6: Monday, October 4
First evening class. It's a 1.5, which is the stepping stone to level 2. My pal Heidi is teaching; I haven't seen her in a few years, so her first question is, "How's your husband?" I tell her I'm divorced and get the collective, "ooooohh" from the group of teachers assembled behind the check-in desk. Announcing this news with the requisite "Yeah, that was fast," comment has gotten really old.  And I can see that day classes are more my speed; evening classes are larger, and there are more Boulder type A athletes in them, doing something called "flipping their dogs." I showed up not feeling great, with an upset tummy and speeding thoughts. After class, I do feel great. I also feel calm.

This is not me either.

What happened: I was able to get my knees up to my armpits so that eventually I can do a full Crow.


Day 7: Tuesday, October 5
Today's class: yin yoga. Supported opening poses with no muscle engagement, which sounded divine. Turns out this class was the most challenging so far in that there was no external force, like a teacher announcing the eighth chaturanga, to make my mind shut the hell up. Buzz buzz buzz. Also, note to yoga teachers, if you're going to spray me in the face with lavender water, please give me some warning. Otherwise, not so relaxing to get spritzed.
What happened: Time passed.


On to week two. Namaste.