Training-in-progress ॐ

The rain keeps pouring down here in Georgia. I beleive my driveway and yard is forming into a pond.
But seriously- we live in the country on 6 something acres of land. We have a long gravel driveway with a gravel parking area...and I beleive there is no gravel left. Just mud. So we need to look into getting that fixed.

This week has been busy. I am looking forward to heading to Asheville on Friday. Teacher training runs from Friday-Sunday. I really love being there. If I could---I'd move to Asheville. I love the area and everything about it. I am also hoping to eat some yummy vegan dishes at Rosetta's Kitchen (thanks Nicole for the tip) The great thing is that they are open late! Our training lets out around 9:00 PM on friday so I think this would be a nice way to end the evening.

In other yoga-teacher-training news. I have 6 papers to write. So Far I believe I've nailed down 2 of my topics.
Biography on SKP Jois
My very large paper about Yoga and Buddhism

I have several other papers to write like book reviews and such. But these are my first two and larger papers. So I need to at least start an outline.
Since I decided to do the biography on SKP Jois I was re-reading Yoga Mala. Since I haven't read this book since I first started Ashtanga years ago--it makes much more sense to me now.
I am not an advanced Ashtanga student by any means. I can only comfortably complete 1/2 primary without complete exhaustion. Granted I believe that will improve with constant practice. But regardless of the styles I try...I always land back at Ashtanga...and I can never understand why so I've stopped trying to.

Also, I am reading the Yoga Sutras (Sri Swami Satchidananda's translation)
I read book one in the past. I am re-reading book One and starting book two. Not a light read. But something you can pick up and digest bits and pieces each time.

Overall I am really enjoying diving into practice, study and training in general.
This Sunday I also assist Stepahnie in her Mast class. That will be a new experience!
Much love!!!
Off to get some work done. ॐ

ॐ Practice ॐ

This weekend was nice. Lots of reading for my teacher training. I finished Erich Schiffmann's book and I am reading part 1 & 2 of the Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda.
Plus starting my outlines for several papers I have to write. Which I haven't written papers in sooo long.

Practice wise; things are moving along. Today I missed going to morning mysore practice at Balance. Instead I did a home practice. Only 1/2 primary series (as I over slept)
Tonight I am teaching a vinyasa flow class at 6:30 at Lotus.
I believe the classes are going to pick up. The businesses on the "square" which is where the studio is located; we all had a Holiday open house. They do this every year. Mind you the "Square" is about 6-7 blocks of businesses. So, I printed out about 30-40 flyers of our schedule and "Your first class is free" coupons. I believe we ended up giving all of them out.
Lots of couples came in to. Makes me consider doing a partner yoga workshop one day.

Anyway, lots to do!
I head back to Asheville on Friday for weekend 2 of Teacher Training and I can not wait to be back in the yoga bubble! ॐ

Opening, Mysore & my Anniversary!

So the grand opening of Lotus went very well last night. I believe there were 30-40 something people coming and going through out the night. It was a lovely evening with really lovely vegan food.
The space looks amazing and we met a lot of the wonderful business owners in the are and some new potential students!
I am very excited and looking forward to being there and taking classes!
Here is one of the only photos I did get of the evening (there was another photographer there)

Elizabeth, Anne, Yvette & Me.

I got home late; in bed by 12:00 something. I was up again at 5:00am this morning and headed to Mysore at Balance.
My teacher was there and the studio was buzzing with lots of ujjayi breathing. And pretty warm too. I started my practice and could tell my body was a bit tired from only 5 hours of sleep. So I only did 1/2 primary up to Navasana then went into closing. I had a lovely adjustment in my backbending.
My new mat did a great job. It did get a bit slick bc it was the first class I've used it at. So I washed it today with some teatree oil and water to get that slickness off and it should be find by next weeks mysore practice.
I plan/hope to get there once a week for mysore (while keeping up my daily practice at home on the other days)
It was great to practice so early and be home in time to work by 9:00. I really love that!

This weekend also marks my 6th Wedding Anniversary and 9 years with my husband.
I <3 you Denver!

Ashtanga- already planning 2010

Soo Excited!
My teacher emailed me today and we signed up to go together next year!
I've only practiced with Kino twice. Once at Miami Life Center when we went to Islamorada to practice with SKP Jois- but he fell ill.
Then in Chicago Last year for a weekend workshop. I am so excited to not only be going but to be doing so with my Ashtanga teachers. How awesome!!



11/28/2010 - 12/03/2010
ONE WEEK YOGA WORKSHOP with Kino and TimNovember 28th - December 3rd, 2010

12 Students. 2 Teachers. Mysore Old Shala Style.
In the early days of daily yoga practice in Mysore, India, our teacher, the living master of Ashtanga Yoga, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath, taught in a tiny room with flourescent lighting in groups of maximum 12 students at a time. In this workshop you will experience the unique combination of two teachers and a small class. This is the perfect opportunity to deepen your already existing practice and experience a taste of old India right here on Miami Beach.
This one week practitioner intensive includes morning Mysore practice with an intimate group of up to 12 students and afternoon introductory and continuing education workshops on the foundations of Yoga - Pranayama, Meditation, Chanting & the Yoga Sutras.

Yoga related updates (what else would you expect?)

Hi internet land!

How has your week been? Things are good her in Georgia. The weather is changing and fall is really upon us. I love Fall!

Some updates:

I received my new Jade Harmony Travel Yoga Mat! I won it by entering a Yoga Joke Contest.

My joke was: Why couldn't the yogi vaccum his carpet? He lost all his attachments!

Silly I know but it got a few laughs and I ended up with a brand new nice lovely mat. I mean for a yogi a new mat is exciting!

I've had my previous Jade mat for about 3 years. I was told by a good friend that the quality was great. She was right. It is the ONLY mat that takes the ware and tear of an Ashtanga/Vinyasa practice (for me anyway)

Here we are:

Also, tomorrow evening from 7-9:30 is the Grand Opening of Lotus Yoga & Meditation.

The only yoga & meditation in Newnan...and in the surrounding area to my knowledge.

It is a cute place with great charm. I will be teaching a few beginner vinyasa classes.

There are 3 other yoga teachers and I hope the community embraces the center!

Check out the cute cute website: http://www.lotusnewnan.com/

Okay- I am off my lunch break now. Back to work.

This weeks practice so far...

So we are journaling our daily yoga/meditation practice. Thought I would just share some notes here. This wont be a daily post. Just a starting point to reference.
Just some notes from my practice this week:

Monday:
Asana 30 min
Did a varied vinyasa pracitce incorporating Sun Salutes (low lunge) with vinyasa in between. Also working in Shalabasana.
Trikonasana and Parvritta Trikonasana.
Utkatasana into Squatting
Dandasana
Pashimottanasana twice for low back pain
Janu A
Pigeon on both sides
5 min. sivasana

10 Min Seated meditation counting the breaths

Tuesday: Took my 1 day off for this week (too busy with work)

Wednesday:
Asana 45 min
Seated Neck rools
Cat/Cow
Down Dog with kapalabhati breathing
3 Sun Salutes - 1 moving into Prayer Twist (Parsvakonasana)
In between sun salutes I did a vinysasa incoporating Shalabasana (this is my assigned pose)
Squat 6 breaths
Trikonasana
Parivritta Trikonasana
Vrikasana (Tree)
Vinyasa into Bow 2 times
Paschimottansana (forward fold)
Janu A
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Gomukasana to Navasana
Urdhva Dahnuransana 3 times
Forward fold then Baddhakonasna
Shoulder Stand
I worked on Sirsasana and Pincha

Meditation 10 min. mediation in easy sitting pose counting breaths from 50 to 1.

Notes from today: Upper back was very tight and tense. Did not allow for me to move into Plow Pose. Forward folds were rough.

Yoga Teacher Training- Weekend 1

Well this weekend was the 1st weekend of the 9 month Yoga Teacher Training in Asheville.
It was...well amazing. I could go into detail about each workshop and everything that took place; but I seriously doubt any of my descriptions would really portray how truly amazing the whole weekend was.

The weather was cold but not so harsh you couldn't enjoy how beautiful Ahseville was. I had a really awesome roommate- who I believe I will be rooming with for the remainder of the training.
There were several asana clinics and I learned a lot about yin, anatomy, adjustments, & 8 limbs of yoga according to Patanjali. We did a lot of seated meditation as well as journaling about the meditations.

We went over our papers and reports that are due during the training. The reading list is endless. :)
It was wonderful to see my teacher Stephanie. She was the first face I saw when I walked into the Yoga Center. She got up and gave me the warmest hug and I knew at that very moment this was where I needed to be for my training.
Shala taught a great hip opener class. I heard a lot of wonderful things about Shala and her classes; she is such a calm and kind teacher. She also lead us through the meditations on Saturday.
I could keep going but that may bore you. I am just so happy...and it was weekend one! I have a lot of work to do for the training. Including daily asana & meditation practice (we must journal about them as well to turn in at the end of the training) plus I have to evaluate 1 yoga class between each weekend. It must different levels and different teachers.
Looks like I need to start searching out the local schedules! :)

Regarding my job; granted I had some added stress from work this weekend due to, trining part of the week in North Ga. then my computer crashing Thursday night before I was supposed to head to Asheville.
That did add some additional stress.

I am doing the best I can with my new job. Trying to learn the system and also get quick at everything. It is a challenge but one I think I can overcome. I am liking it so far; I just want to get faster and more productive!
Luckily I am working from home; which allows me to work longer hours and not get as irritated. I can get up and walk Chai, stretch a bit, make lunch. I am putting in a lot of hours; but the breaks keep it manageable for sure!
Plus who wouldn't love to work in Yoga pants all day?

Okay--off to bed!