Bit Fat Yoga

Once again, I am committing anew to my daily practice. I attend a regular class, but recognize that class is not practice. It is shared time on the mat. My March intention is to add strength training focus to my lower body. I know that increasing my time in lounges and warriors will help and vice versa. Come June I plan to make a video - Curvy Yoga. I've imagined the format and the poses.

This commitment comes just in time for Spring renewal and I am hoping to find a community of large round bodies loving the bendy-flex world. Inhaling peace...exhaling love...namaste

Love Love Love!!! I have the opposite dilemma, I am pretty good about practicing at home, it's getting to a class that trips me up! My good friends here in Raleigh go to Gateway Yoga... which is an Anusara studio and not really my thing. There is an Integral teacher over in Morrisville... but something always seems to come up! Attention/Intention/Attitude!

Good morning Libby...do you belong to a gym? The gym I joined has lots of yoga classes morning and evening. I actually joined this gym after the classes I was teaching were canceled. I decided I would attend classes and practice following another's cues. I was amazed how much training I needed to stay focused on the voice of the leaders. I can not call them teachers as they merely lead the group through poses with little direction or support. Sometimes I have to keep letting go of my urge to teach in a class that is not mine.

For a while I was quite excited about the power yoga class I attended. Problem was I forgot to keep my focus on my mat and my body and I sustained an injury which broke my heart as much as pulled my hamstring. It took months ot heal from that injury and I left the class because I felt the teacher continued to push me beyond that I felt my body was ready for. (Did I do that? Ever?)

As I stepped away from that class, I reached more deeply into the work of both being present and maintaining my asanas that they might work in and through me. I have come to realize that while I prefer to have more direction and support in a class, others just want to get through what they can and will seek out more information in their time.

On another note, after class last week another participant commented that she hoped to emulate my lounge, one day. I wanted to respond, "Practice. Practice. Practice." Instead I said thank you and moved on.

Have a wonderful week. Can you believe it is almost time to spring forward?

I'm so sorry I missed this when it was fresh! I don't belong to a gym. I tried out all the 'chain' gyms that have yoga classes when we first moved to Raleigh. Every one of them was huge, crowded and no fun!

I really hear you on trying to step back into student mode after teaching. I was a professional costumer for a number of years, and I still can't watch a play or movie without noticing mistakes or wanting to take notes and make sketches! I'm sure when you were teaching you were much more mindful of your students' needs. A hamstring injury takes a long while to heal... if the instructor didn't honor that.. well then... I wouldn't think very many positive thoughts about that teacher!

How wonderful that you inspired a fellow student! One thing I do like about the Anusara classes I've attended is that spontaneous comments are just part of the deal. "Meghan! You are so rockin' that pigeon pose, girl!"... that kind of thing. However I prefer a slower, more meditative class. I like to really absorb a pose before moving on.

I'm so excited for spring this year! While the adjustment is not so hot, I do like to have the evening light. It brings back good old homey memories, I guess!