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October 11, 2005 8:30 AM- little shift, big shift
In theory, yoga is a wonderful thing.
Then there?s the old, gotta actually show up for class, thing--which this morning, was a bear.
Remember how I was all set a couple weeks back and then subconsciously foiled my plans since I failed to set the alarm? Well, last night my clothes were all set. My workout gear laid out. And this morning?
Gah. Dark. So very, very dark. And the bed was so warm. So very, very toasty warm. And outside it was rainy. Wet, chilly, damp and raw.
But with some helpful nudges from T, I rolled down the stairs, kissed the boys goodbye and got into my cold, cold car.
As I drove the back roads with the heat and my high beams on, I reminded myself to never do this again. Too dark. Too cold. Too f*cking early in the day.
Picked up a large coffee from my favorite little, yellow gas station. First sip was oh so good. But still, repeating the mantra that I will never, never do this again.
Got to the gym where there were people working out! Spinning! Bright lights. Gah.
Hurried upstairs to the yoga studio where thankfully the lights were off and candles were burning. There was gentle music and the light fragrance of incense.
Still, the inner conversation went something like this:
Lovely yoga instructor: Feel the soles of your feet grounded beneath you.
Me: Why am I standing here? Why am I not back in bed?
Lovely yoga instructor: Reach up and gaze over your left hand.
Me: I?m so stiff. This was so dumb. I can?t hold any of these positions. I suck.
Then, at the end of the hour long class, the lovely yoga instructor comes around and gives each of us the most fantastic face massage ever. I would drive an hour for that face massage.
Namaste.
We all sit up. Class is over and damn, if I don?t feel good. Really good. Something has shifted, gently, easily?without my noticing. I?m deeply awake and feel so damn good.
I put away my blanket and thank the teacher who is handing out individually wrapped slices of the raisin bread she made this morning. To each of us. Am I dreaming? Who is this woman? How does she have the energy to give so much and be so creative when I can hardly roll out of bed in the morning?
In the locker room I savor my fresh bread with my still warm coffee and look at myself in the mirror. When I left my house I felt like a swamp creature with no hope for redemption. Now? I feel pretty and ready to enjoy the day.
In practice, yoga is a wonderful thing.
got 2 cents?
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wee says:
Hard to decide which I feel more envious of... the facial massage or the raisin bread. Mmm... how far a drive do you think it would be from Weeville?
posted on: October 11
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sarai says:
mmm...yoga is what gets me through the week.
it's amazing that an hour and a half of excruciating pain and sweat makes you feel so darn relaxed.
my mantra-i am not a horrible person because she can get her leg over her head and i can't.
ps-i think ALL yoga instructors are programmed to creatively use all 24 hours of EVERY day. what IS that about?
posted on: October 11
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Marilyn says:
I'll have to take your word for it. ;) But facial massage? I'd sled-dog through the tundra for that...
posted on: October 11
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la.dauphine says:
LOL! What a great post. I feel the same exact way about yoga, but especially when its a place that really goes out of their way to make it a wonderful experience. I had a place just like that near me that I would go to (but in the EVENINGS) until I moved in with my boyfriend. I so miss it now!
posted on: October 11
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Bella says:
I really feel like taking a yoga class now. But, believe me, I've been there and felt the same way.
posted on: October 11
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Lil says:
The times have I wanted to start yoga... Right now I'm working on getting my ass back into the gym at 6:30 in the morning. Not doing so well. Maybe a face massage would help.
posted on: October 11
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violetismycolor says:
BP...I used to get up at 530 every weekday morning for my workouts, just to get them out of the way for the day. Now, I have mine starting at 10 am, much more civilized. I remember how hard it was to pull myself out of bed when the mornings were so dark...God, I hate getting out of bed in the dark! But that face massage...that would be worth it!
On another note, thanks for the kind note in my blog about Adam. He went to the police today and filed a report, giving them the names of all the witnesses. Though I am totally ticked off at the guy who hit him (but really mostly because he just took off and didn't even check to see if he had killed someone), but am so thankful for the strangers who picked him up and cared for him. I am also so thankful that he lives with 5 people, 3 girls and 2 other guys, who are being so wonderful and caring and fussing over him now. Since he is so far away and I can't be there, I feel so lucky that he has all these other people who love him and can do it for me. I keep thinking that, if this had happened last year, when he was new to St Andrew's, he would have been so all alone.
posted on: October 11
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nichole says:
I sometimes end class with guiding students through their own face massage...quite nice and I don't have to rush around and try and do 25 people before relaxation is over. the raisin bread though? wow. my class would fall over if I actually cooked for them. haha. what time does that woman get up anyway? 3am? I mean the whole yeast rising thing? wow.
posted on: October 11
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Chrishawn says:
Wow - homemade raisin bread? A facial massage? I mean, how lucky were you? Fantastic. I have always wanted to take a yoga class. You have inspired me to actually do it. One day. Soon. Maybe. *smile*
posted on: October 11
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bp says:
yogagirl-- there are only about 5 people in our class so she has it easier-- and she may have made the dough the night before-- who knows . .
posted on: October 11
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stephanie says:
I'm tired from reading this. You are a goddess. A true goddess. Now I have to go eat a brownie.
posted on: October 11
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Jecca says:
Wow. I feel more inspired just reading this!
posted on: October 11
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nichole (yogaswampcreature) says:
ps-I'm sooo with you on the early morning swamp creature thing. heheheeheh
posted on: October 11
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Erica says:
Every morning should start with like that.
posted on: October 11
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Milly says:
I so wish I was taking a yoga class, and I understand not wanting to leave the cozy bed for the cold morning. Hope you make it to the next class!
posted on: October 11
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Sarcomical says:
aw crap, now you've gone and ruined my theory that it's just a theory. damn you. ;) just kidding, you know. *sigh* sounds lovely.
posted on: October 12
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lizardek says:
Except for the getting out of bed thing, I'd TOTALLY take that class.
posted on: October 12
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Meredith says:
If I could get out of the house alone at that time I would, I would. Or so I say. It's no NH morning here in Okinawa for sure. We're still loving the AC.
Namaste you.
posted on: October 12
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bad penguin says:
No matter how crappy I feel before yoga class, I always feel better after. I am not a morning person though, so I've had my doubts about early morning practice. You make it sound possible.
posted on: October 12
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Beth says:
wait. a FACE massage?
posted on: October 12
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Sheryl says:
Facial massages and homemade raisin bread? Maybe she'll adopt you... Namaste, indeed.
posted on: October 12
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Joy says:
Her name isn't Jen, is it? My yoga instructor came around and did a face massage today too! I'm wondering if they all got a newsletter or something.
posted on: October 13
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frozenmojo says:
deeply, deeply envious!! here in indianapolis, good yoga studios are hard to come by; gotta love the mid-west!
when's that house warming party, eh?
posted on: October 13
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katherine says:
ummm . . . I guess I should have gone to yoga yesterday morning . . . but it was sooooo cold out there and it was sooooo warm in bed . . . but I'll go tomorrow night . . . what is it about yoga? it's only afterwards that the full effect of the ahhhhhhhh can be really felt . . . and you get bread! but I do get a little massage too so I can live without the snack . . but still . . . :)
posted on: October 16
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