Not sure if it was just a lot of chaturanga's, or maybe yoga in general, but right now I am tight in my middle back (back of heart-space) and chest. Just feels like a strain....
I had two serious power/hot classes (Sunday morning and this morning) as well as taught two classes today (the second of which I ended up taking, since there were only two students)
Let's see how we feel in the morning, but I suspect tomorrow will be either a day off, or a good day to get in a gentle class.
The teaching went well - I had 15 students in the gentle class - and tested out my first "gentle vinyasa" sequence - a modified sun salutation on the knees, to get the students moving and flowing even in a gentle class. Seemed to go pretty well.
Tonight's class was small (2 students) bit they were both fairly advanced, so I got in some nice 1 on 1 work, with some strong postures and chances to assist.
Off to bed......
June 30, 2008
June 29, 2008
Balloon Self Portrait
I took this picture from the ascending hot air balloon, Saturday morning in Southington....if one zooms in a bit, one can see the intrepid blogger, snapping the picture
I actully remembered a camera for this flight, so took a few photos, here
June 27, 2008
So Much for Child's Pose
A few hours later, and the weekend has filled in nicely....
Hot yoga tonight with Nykki; who continues her streak of booty kicking. One of those classes where she took us down to the mat and we were all SURE it was time for, and up we went for more. Including inversions (got up into handstand). Wonderful practice.
A call from Mr. Balloon; chasing tomorrow. I'll bring the camera for some balloon shots.
Tomorrow night, we're planning to head east to the Vanilla Bean in Pomfret, for dinner and to see Mad Agnes. Ran into Margo this evening, which was a nice reminder.
And Sunday, a commercial movie perhaps (I'm guessing something frothy like Iron Man or Indiana Jones), with a friend I ran into at my yoga class this afternoon. Yes my yoga class. At least for the summer, my Friday at 12:15 Gentle Class. It says STAFF on the schedule, but it's mine.....
All Your Downward Dogs Are Belong To Us......
Hot yoga tonight with Nykki; who continues her streak of booty kicking. One of those classes where she took us down to the mat and we were all SURE it was time for, and up we went for more. Including inversions (got up into handstand). Wonderful practice.
A call from Mr. Balloon; chasing tomorrow. I'll bring the camera for some balloon shots.
Tomorrow night, we're planning to head east to the Vanilla Bean in Pomfret, for dinner and to see Mad Agnes. Ran into Margo this evening, which was a nice reminder.
And Sunday, a commercial movie perhaps (I'm guessing something frothy like Iron Man or Indiana Jones), with a friend I ran into at my yoga class this afternoon. Yes my yoga class. At least for the summer, my Friday at 12:15 Gentle Class. It says STAFF on the schedule, but it's mine.....
All Your Downward Dogs Are Belong To Us......
Balance
Right now, yoga is taking over my life.
Zippy would retort "Ha! Right now? How about for the last year?" - and he's kind of right. But this very moment, the past few weeks, it's been particularly acute.
There are night-time things I want or wanted to get to: Sunken Garden Poetry. Creative Cocktail Hour. The upcoming Hartford Cares rally. Hot Air Balloon chasing. Movie or TV nights with friends. All set aside, because I'm teaching.
I'm busy at work, with a nice backlog of projects, and plenty of places for growth. I'm keeping up with the incoming work but not getting ahead or catching up on things like cleaning, organizing, planning for the future.
And my own yoga practice has suffered - I missed on Wednesday; I just squeezed in a late class on Thursday; and today between work, body work, and teaching its not looking goog (although Margaret's 4:30 restorative class might be a treat, and I could always unwind a bit with Nykki at 6:00!)
Things will settle down, and settle in. Already my schedule is slowing; my Wed night assisting has ended as of this week. My Thursday night freebie class at the office has a few more weeks. This weekend I have absolutely nothing planned - free to chase a balloon, catch up on work, do some things around the house, take some electronics to be recycled (thanks, Julie!) or maybe do absolutely nothing. A nice break - after a weekend long anatomy class (3 weeks ago), a weekend long yoga teacher training (2 weeks ago), and the Gemini party and requisite cleaning, organizing, and visiting with family and friends (last week).
Of course, four weeks hence, I'll be camped out on a hillside in NY, at the Falcon Ridge Folk Fest. The coming weeks will be filled with preparation - camping supplies, foodstuffs, as well as loading up a spreadsheet with the performer merchandise.
No rest for the weary! This weekend, anyway, I'll pull back into Child's Pose and take care or myself. After that - more vinyasa!
Zippy would retort "Ha! Right now? How about for the last year?" - and he's kind of right. But this very moment, the past few weeks, it's been particularly acute.
There are night-time things I want or wanted to get to: Sunken Garden Poetry. Creative Cocktail Hour. The upcoming Hartford Cares rally. Hot Air Balloon chasing. Movie or TV nights with friends. All set aside, because I'm teaching.
I'm busy at work, with a nice backlog of projects, and plenty of places for growth. I'm keeping up with the incoming work but not getting ahead or catching up on things like cleaning, organizing, planning for the future.
And my own yoga practice has suffered - I missed on Wednesday; I just squeezed in a late class on Thursday; and today between work, body work, and teaching its not looking goog (although Margaret's 4:30 restorative class might be a treat, and I could always unwind a bit with Nykki at 6:00!)
Things will settle down, and settle in. Already my schedule is slowing; my Wed night assisting has ended as of this week. My Thursday night freebie class at the office has a few more weeks. This weekend I have absolutely nothing planned - free to chase a balloon, catch up on work, do some things around the house, take some electronics to be recycled (thanks, Julie!) or maybe do absolutely nothing. A nice break - after a weekend long anatomy class (3 weeks ago), a weekend long yoga teacher training (2 weeks ago), and the Gemini party and requisite cleaning, organizing, and visiting with family and friends (last week).
Of course, four weeks hence, I'll be camped out on a hillside in NY, at the Falcon Ridge Folk Fest. The coming weeks will be filled with preparation - camping supplies, foodstuffs, as well as loading up a spreadsheet with the performer merchandise.
No rest for the weary! This weekend, anyway, I'll pull back into Child's Pose and take care or myself. After that - more vinyasa!
June 26, 2008
Doh!
I forgot about a 10:00 am appointment today; had I remembered it I would have snuck into 7:30 hot yoga this morning. So now I get no yoga today, since I teach a class tonight at 6:00. Unless I hustle out of here tonight, so that I can sneak over to a 7:30 all levels class after teaching.
No yoga yesterday, teaching two classes. Maybe no yoga today. Clearly I have to reshuffle some priorities!
No yoga yesterday, teaching two classes. Maybe no yoga today. Clearly I have to reshuffle some priorities!
June 25, 2008
Defying Gravity
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap
- Defying Gravity / Wicked
I taught two yoga classes today - a gentle class this noon, and an intro class tonight. Both subbing for other teachers; the noon class planned, tonight's somewhat last minute, although I had a day to prep.
Just very powerful - to stand in the center of a room with students all around in a deep restorative posture. To teach two good sized classes, 10-15 students. To feel my energy resonate in the room, come back to me from students. To open my heart to the classes, to put it out there.
I am blessed with these opportunities. I am blessed with teachers from whom I have been able to learn. I am exhilarated, and scared silly at the awesome responsibility placed in my hands.
Two Things
JUST TWO THINGS
My friend Pat sent this recently, and I am so freaking morally opposed to email chain letters that I am not gonna send it around. But I'll blog about it, for 1/2 credit.....
Two Names You Go By:
1. Jude (rarely, if ever Judy)
2. Judith
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. A ratty, faded, fake tie-dye nightgown
2. Slippers
Two Things You Want Very Badly At the Moment:
1. Financial calm and stability
2. To survive the next few weeks of work busyness and yoga teaching
Two People Who Will Fill This Out and the first to send it back):
1. Not applicable
2. Because I an not sneding it around
Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Went to a kick ass yoga class
2. Laid out a yoga class for classes I am teaching this noon and tonight
Two Things You Ate Yesterday: my yoga teac
1. A bowl of my vegan chili left over from the Gemini Party
2. The last sliver of Carvel ice cream cake, also leftover from the party
Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Jane, one of my fellow yoga teacher trainees, after class
2. Zippy
Two Things You're Doing Tomorrow:
1. Electrolysis
2. Teaching yoga (do you sense a theme here?)
Two Longest Car Rides:
1. Chicago to Hartford (the week of 9-11)
2. San Diego to San Jose (I dunno, I had the weekend and thought it might be nice)
Your Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Thanksgiving, I guess - I've missed many of them for work so they are a bit sweeter
2. Christmas. Though fraught with pressure (to shop, to visit) it still has fond memories that are rekindled each year
Favorite Vacations:
1. What's a vacation?
2. Falcon Ridge Folk Festival - my annual retreat from the world
Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Iced Decaf Coffee
2. Water - especially after a long, hot yoga practice - I drink gallons
My friend Pat sent this recently, and I am so freaking morally opposed to email chain letters that I am not gonna send it around. But I'll blog about it, for 1/2 credit.....
Two Names You Go By:
1. Jude (rarely, if ever Judy)
2. Judith
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. A ratty, faded, fake tie-dye nightgown
2. Slippers
Two Things You Want Very Badly At the Moment:
1. Financial calm and stability
2. To survive the next few weeks of work busyness and yoga teaching
Two People Who Will Fill This Out and the first to send it back):
1. Not applicable
2. Because I an not sneding it around
Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Went to a kick ass yoga class
2. Laid out a yoga class for classes I am teaching this noon and tonight
Two Things You Ate Yesterday: my yoga teac
1. A bowl of my vegan chili left over from the Gemini Party
2. The last sliver of Carvel ice cream cake, also leftover from the party
Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Jane, one of my fellow yoga teacher trainees, after class
2. Zippy
Two Things You're Doing Tomorrow:
1. Electrolysis
2. Teaching yoga (do you sense a theme here?)
Two Longest Car Rides:
1. Chicago to Hartford (the week of 9-11)
2. San Diego to San Jose (I dunno, I had the weekend and thought it might be nice)
Your Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Thanksgiving, I guess - I've missed many of them for work so they are a bit sweeter
2. Christmas. Though fraught with pressure (to shop, to visit) it still has fond memories that are rekindled each year
Favorite Vacations:
1. What's a vacation?
2. Falcon Ridge Folk Festival - my annual retreat from the world
Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Iced Decaf Coffee
2. Water - especially after a long, hot yoga practice - I drink gallons
June 24, 2008
Suddenly Swamped
Somehow between Sunday evening and now, I got buried in work. One of my clients has been sending a steady stream of site data to analyze; I had one site pending but mostly finished as I left the office on Friday. And now I have maybe 7 or 8 sites queued up. At least a few of these are going to take a few hours each - either extended monitoring periods, full data sets with environmental monitoring, or new technology power analyzer data, which takes longer.
And oh, by the way, I have some site reporting to do from my recent visit to a local hospital. And my always patient San Diego client has some spreadsheet updates overdue, and I need to get up to speed on Dreamweaver (recently purchased and installed) so I can take over their website maintenance and updates......
So if I had any concerns about June billing, those can be allayed; things will be fine, assuming I can get all these reports done and some time spent on other things.
And oh, by the way, I am teaching two yoga classes tomorrow, one Thursday, and one Friday. I'm subbing a gentle class at noon (expected) and was slated to assist the final Intro series class tomorrow night. But the instructor got called out of town for a family emergency - leaving the studio to scramble to cover his classes. So guess who is teaching the final intro series.
Thankfully, I have been left with some pretty clear directions for the final class - lots of restorative / supported postures. I'm planning supported forward fold, supported bound angle (which pretty much uses every yoga toy on the shelf), and feet up the wall. One of my fellow teacher trainees is coming in to assist; she is an angel and I am excited to work with her.
There is that old chinese curse: may you live in interesting times. I think I'm living the yoga equivalent: may you teach 5 classes in your second week out of teacher training.
Thank goodness for Sean Corne. Cause she broke me and I healed stronger, and I'm gonna need it this week!
On a second front, NYKKI KICKED MY ASS TONIGHT. As part of covering the missed classes she ended up with a jam packed studio of combined power and hot classes, and damn if she did not lead one of the strongest and deepest practices I have ever had with her. Then she had to go right back in there and teach a gentle / intro class - - with a few of my fellow teacher trainees to help out. She's a freaking yoga warrior. We all are, I guess.
Off to bed; I'm gonna need every bit of energy I can muster in the next few days. And lots of sleep!
And oh, by the way, I have some site reporting to do from my recent visit to a local hospital. And my always patient San Diego client has some spreadsheet updates overdue, and I need to get up to speed on Dreamweaver (recently purchased and installed) so I can take over their website maintenance and updates......
So if I had any concerns about June billing, those can be allayed; things will be fine, assuming I can get all these reports done and some time spent on other things.
And oh, by the way, I am teaching two yoga classes tomorrow, one Thursday, and one Friday. I'm subbing a gentle class at noon (expected) and was slated to assist the final Intro series class tomorrow night. But the instructor got called out of town for a family emergency - leaving the studio to scramble to cover his classes. So guess who is teaching the final intro series.
Thankfully, I have been left with some pretty clear directions for the final class - lots of restorative / supported postures. I'm planning supported forward fold, supported bound angle (which pretty much uses every yoga toy on the shelf), and feet up the wall. One of my fellow teacher trainees is coming in to assist; she is an angel and I am excited to work with her.
There is that old chinese curse: may you live in interesting times. I think I'm living the yoga equivalent: may you teach 5 classes in your second week out of teacher training.
Thank goodness for Sean Corne. Cause she broke me and I healed stronger, and I'm gonna need it this week!
On a second front, NYKKI KICKED MY ASS TONIGHT. As part of covering the missed classes she ended up with a jam packed studio of combined power and hot classes, and damn if she did not lead one of the strongest and deepest practices I have ever had with her. Then she had to go right back in there and teach a gentle / intro class - - with a few of my fellow teacher trainees to help out. She's a freaking yoga warrior. We all are, I guess.
Off to bed; I'm gonna need every bit of energy I can muster in the next few days. And lots of sleep!
Cell Phone Madness
I left my cell phone at Webster Bank in Newington yesterday. Hit the ATM to deposit a check, was talking to mom as I walked up to the building, must have put the phone down on the little counter as I filled in the deposit envelope.
Someone from the bank found the phone, and went down the speed dial list making calls. They got my mom.
Mom got all confused (thinking Webster Bank was in Webster MA, and none of her kids live there) so she went down the list of kids making calls. Per my sister Kathy, Mom said:
"I tried Kevin, but he didn't answer, so it must not be his and Tommy never answers anyway, and I just talked to Jude so it's not her's....." as Kathy said - How's that make sense?
In fact, my brother Tom called the house to see if it was mine, and Zippy spoke with him and assured him I had my phone, since we spoke while I was en route to Unionville to teach yoga. But unbeknownt to Zippy, I was burning some OnStar phone minutes (I bought an intro rate block of 200 minutes for $20 when I got the car, and have never used 'em). I had already noticed the phone being missing (assumed I left it at work), and Zippy seemed like he had a hard day and needed to talk.
Ah well, all's well that end's well - I picked up my phone this morning. Kudos to Webster Bank for tracking me down. And the whole thing gave my mom something amusing and interesting to talk about for a few days: the mystery of the missing cell phone.
Someone from the bank found the phone, and went down the speed dial list making calls. They got my mom.
Mom got all confused (thinking Webster Bank was in Webster MA, and none of her kids live there) so she went down the list of kids making calls. Per my sister Kathy, Mom said:
"I tried Kevin, but he didn't answer, so it must not be his and Tommy never answers anyway, and I just talked to Jude so it's not her's....." as Kathy said - How's that make sense?
In fact, my brother Tom called the house to see if it was mine, and Zippy spoke with him and assured him I had my phone, since we spoke while I was en route to Unionville to teach yoga. But unbeknownt to Zippy, I was burning some OnStar phone minutes (I bought an intro rate block of 200 minutes for $20 when I got the car, and have never used 'em). I had already noticed the phone being missing (assumed I left it at work), and Zippy seemed like he had a hard day and needed to talk.
Ah well, all's well that end's well - I picked up my phone this morning. Kudos to Webster Bank for tracking me down. And the whole thing gave my mom something amusing and interesting to talk about for a few days: the mystery of the missing cell phone.
June 22, 2008
Djembe Fever
Kathy brought over two djembe (djembes?) last night, so as the Gemini Party wound down, she showed us how to play, and I banged out a little bit of rhythm. I play a little at Kirtan (certain "everyone pick up a drum" numbers) but I've never really spent much time at it. It was fun.
This afternoon, we went to see The Visitor (a really wonderful, quiet film) in which djembe playing was featured prominantly. Official site here
The film was lovely on a few levels - a college professor emerging from depression and repression, an essay on the struggles of immigants living in the cracks of the legal system, and a lovely postcard from New York City.
What was interesting, to me, was the film's use of african american actors for almost every official, governmental role (immigration officers, TSA officers, police, etc.) The contrast between the college professor (white), the immigrants ( Syrian and Senegalese) and the people behind the juggernaut of law enforcement and immigration was interesting.
Historically, each wave of immigrations lifted up the previous generations - the Irish were untouchables, before moving into service sector (police, fire), then into politics and the mainstream. On some level, the movie seemed to be observing how the recent anti-immigrant / post 9-11 sentiments are, in some ways, finally allowing the african-american population for whom the american dream has remained out of reach, to finally step onto the privilage escalator.
Good film....
The, dinner at the Corner Pug. Where Zippy and his family were predictably loud, and I ran into yoga friends, who I joined in the bathroom to escape the frenetic Palter family!
As I type this, the Palters continue the cacophanic discussion in the next room. I'm getting a headache, so I'm escaping to blogging and catching up on some website projects....
This afternoon, we went to see The Visitor (a really wonderful, quiet film) in which djembe playing was featured prominantly. Official site hereThe film was lovely on a few levels - a college professor emerging from depression and repression, an essay on the struggles of immigants living in the cracks of the legal system, and a lovely postcard from New York City.
What was interesting, to me, was the film's use of african american actors for almost every official, governmental role (immigration officers, TSA officers, police, etc.) The contrast between the college professor (white), the immigrants ( Syrian and Senegalese) and the people behind the juggernaut of law enforcement and immigration was interesting.
Historically, each wave of immigrations lifted up the previous generations - the Irish were untouchables, before moving into service sector (police, fire), then into politics and the mainstream. On some level, the movie seemed to be observing how the recent anti-immigrant / post 9-11 sentiments are, in some ways, finally allowing the african-american population for whom the american dream has remained out of reach, to finally step onto the privilage escalator.
Good film....
The, dinner at the Corner Pug. Where Zippy and his family were predictably loud, and I ran into yoga friends, who I joined in the bathroom to escape the frenetic Palter family!
As I type this, the Palters continue the cacophanic discussion in the next room. I'm getting a headache, so I'm escaping to blogging and catching up on some website projects....
Homouroboros - Peter Hudson Design
Peter Hudson Design here
Props to Adam Finch Palter (whose website is out of date) for the in person link....
Gemini Party
Our 6th (or is it 7th) annual Gemini party came off without a hitch yesterday. A mixed crowd - a little light on some old familar friends, but with some new faces (folks I know from the yoga studio and from hartford) made for new energy. We had a good time; we have too much alcohol and soda left over, and we have way too much food.
I was buzzing all day, interrupt driven in the microproceesor parlance. Greeting guests, fetching drinks, arranging / cooking food, mixing and mingling. I barely ate all day - salads, desserts, etc. I grabbed between tasks. I cooked up a burger today for lunch because I missed them yesterday.
Today is a day of rest and relaxation; we're cleaning up slowly and in pieces. Snuck in an all levels class this morning (slept through my normal sunday morning 8:30 hot yoga) - and we may do a movie this afternoon (with zippy's family)
Getting ready for a full week. A bunch of work tasks, plus 5 (count 'em) yoga classes. Monday night subbing in Unionville (first time teaching there). Wednesday subbing into a gentle class at noon, and then assisting an intro class in the evening. Thursday my freebie office class. And Friday, my first 12:15 gentle class, that's my class for the summer!
I was buzzing all day, interrupt driven in the microproceesor parlance. Greeting guests, fetching drinks, arranging / cooking food, mixing and mingling. I barely ate all day - salads, desserts, etc. I grabbed between tasks. I cooked up a burger today for lunch because I missed them yesterday.
Today is a day of rest and relaxation; we're cleaning up slowly and in pieces. Snuck in an all levels class this morning (slept through my normal sunday morning 8:30 hot yoga) - and we may do a movie this afternoon (with zippy's family)
Getting ready for a full week. A bunch of work tasks, plus 5 (count 'em) yoga classes. Monday night subbing in Unionville (first time teaching there). Wednesday subbing into a gentle class at noon, and then assisting an intro class in the evening. Thursday my freebie office class. And Friday, my first 12:15 gentle class, that's my class for the summer!
June 20, 2008
Be it ever so humble....
...there's no place like Om (or Aum, even)
A small gift from one of my Thursday night students, a yoga plaque. Sweet!
Apricot's with the Loud Family
We took Zippy's dad out to dinner last night - Apricot's in Farmington.
It started off awkwardly - I got there about 7:40 (7:30 reservation) and asked at the waitstation for the Palter reservation for 5. "You are the first to arrive" I was told, so I opted to go sit in the bar. Which I did, until about 8, until Zippy showed up. They had been sitting upstairs, since 7 having never actually told the staff that THEY were the Palter reservation. And oh by the way, Zippy never looked at his phone (which I had called ehwn I arrived)
::sigh::
Anyway, once there, the food was DELICIOUS - I had a salad and scallops.
As for the Loud Family reference, well, that side of Zippy's family (his dad's side) has a communication style that is pretty much "whoever can talk the loudest holds the floor". In numbers, they can be headache inducing. Last night, brother Adam regaled us with a long (and often, riotous) tale of trying to bring a case of Shiner beer from Austin to his other brother in San Fran. Do not even want to think about the carbon footprint on that beer.....not to mention the billable hours that Adam put into this project.
It was a good story, but told at full volume, in great detail, in the normally sedate Apricot's filled with high school graduates and older couples on anniversary dinners....well, a bit over the top.
Anyone coming to the Gemini Party (2 pm until ???, Saturday the 21st, email me if you want the address, internet stalkers welcome) ca meet Zippy, and his dad and uncle, and sister and brother. Bring your earplugs.....
It started off awkwardly - I got there about 7:40 (7:30 reservation) and asked at the waitstation for the Palter reservation for 5. "You are the first to arrive" I was told, so I opted to go sit in the bar. Which I did, until about 8, until Zippy showed up. They had been sitting upstairs, since 7 having never actually told the staff that THEY were the Palter reservation. And oh by the way, Zippy never looked at his phone (which I had called ehwn I arrived)
::sigh::
Anyway, once there, the food was DELICIOUS - I had a salad and scallops.
As for the Loud Family reference, well, that side of Zippy's family (his dad's side) has a communication style that is pretty much "whoever can talk the loudest holds the floor". In numbers, they can be headache inducing. Last night, brother Adam regaled us with a long (and often, riotous) tale of trying to bring a case of Shiner beer from Austin to his other brother in San Fran. Do not even want to think about the carbon footprint on that beer.....not to mention the billable hours that Adam put into this project.
It was a good story, but told at full volume, in great detail, in the normally sedate Apricot's filled with high school graduates and older couples on anniversary dinners....well, a bit over the top.
Anyone coming to the Gemini Party (2 pm until ???, Saturday the 21st, email me if you want the address, internet stalkers welcome) ca meet Zippy, and his dad and uncle, and sister and brother. Bring your earplugs.....
June 18, 2008
$5 Yoga - By Someone You Know
West Hartford Yoga is having a summer special, offering $5 gentle yoga classes for the summer. See schedule here.
The $5 classes are:
* Tues (Carissa) / Thurs (Corrina) @ 7:30 am - Hot Yoga
* Mon (Sharon) / Wed (Sharon) / Fri (Jude) @ 12:15 - Gentle Yoga
* Mon (Donna) / Wed (Kristen) @ 4:30 pm - Gentle Yoga
* Sat (Staff) @ 11:00 am - Intro to Yoga
So if you have had a hankering to try yoga but the cost has been an issue, this might make if more accessible.
And yeah, that's not a typo. I'm teaching a regular class through the summer! Fridays @ 12:15 pm Gentle Yoga with Jude!
P.S. - I'm still working on it, but you can see my upcoming classes and yoga stuff at my new website judesyoga.com
The $5 classes are:
* Tues (Carissa) / Thurs (Corrina) @ 7:30 am - Hot Yoga
* Mon (Sharon) / Wed (Sharon) / Fri (Jude) @ 12:15 - Gentle Yoga
* Mon (Donna) / Wed (Kristen) @ 4:30 pm - Gentle Yoga
* Sat (Staff) @ 11:00 am - Intro to Yoga
So if you have had a hankering to try yoga but the cost has been an issue, this might make if more accessible.
And yeah, that's not a typo. I'm teaching a regular class through the summer! Fridays @ 12:15 pm Gentle Yoga with Jude!
P.S. - I'm still working on it, but you can see my upcoming classes and yoga stuff at my new website judesyoga.com
June 16, 2008
Suddenly Teaching
I led a gentle yoga class today at WHY (subbing). Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be standing in front of the room at the studio; it's the big leagues, in my eyes. I figured, at the very least, I'd have to go out and slay a few dragons first. The class went well - I kept to time (even a little under, so there was a nice savasana), I stuck to my class plan (missed a few minor postures, but no biggie), I spent some time in front of the room as well as walking around the room. And I even took the class to the wall for down dog / shoulder stand on the wall. Fun!
I also drove out to Unionville, to take a class with Sharon Ruvane at Valley Fitness. I'm subbing for her this summer on Monday nights, so it was nice to meet her, meet some of the students, and take her class to get a feel for what her students want. I think its gonna be a good fit; I am looking forward to it.
I also drove out to Unionville, to take a class with Sharon Ruvane at Valley Fitness. I'm subbing for her this summer on Monday nights, so it was nice to meet her, meet some of the students, and take her class to get a feel for what her students want. I think its gonna be a good fit; I am looking forward to it.
June 15, 2008
Sitting on Jude
Friday night, during practice, one of my favorite teachers, who has been assisting the teacher training, came up to me during a prone posture, and sat on me. Now, it's not uncommon for a teacher to make close contact with a student doing an assist - there are assists that involve using the body, the feet, and getting up close and personal - but this was during abs; and she was just messing around - sort of like her breaking into dance during a peppy tune on her class music disk. I was flustered, are you sitting on me? Fortunately, she is waifish and my abdomen is pretty rugged, and it was funny as heck as well as flattering. I mean, how often does one get sat on in life? I can only think of a few instances - dogs, children, an occasional lover.
Yesterday, in supta-bodhakanasa, there she was again. "Sitting on Jude is becoming one of my favorite things" she said, as she looked into my eyes laughing mischievously.
I'm a person who has a certain personal space. I do not seek out touch or body work, I am in and among the masses but retain my independence. I let others in only as closely as I feel comfortable and let them. So to have someone sit on me, to completely tear down the de facto walls, well, pretty powerful and scary, but nice.
Not sure this would fly in a regular class, but in the teacher training, we've become like a litter of puppies, tumbling together, making contact. We curl up into little circles to eat our meals, people nap unapologetically during breaks, we give and receive massages and informal body work, the day is filled with little touches, squeezes, connections.
Getting sat on during yoga practice is pretty great.
Yesterday, in supta-bodhakanasa, there she was again. "Sitting on Jude is becoming one of my favorite things" she said, as she looked into my eyes laughing mischievously.
I'm a person who has a certain personal space. I do not seek out touch or body work, I am in and among the masses but retain my independence. I let others in only as closely as I feel comfortable and let them. So to have someone sit on me, to completely tear down the de facto walls, well, pretty powerful and scary, but nice.
Not sure this would fly in a regular class, but in the teacher training, we've become like a litter of puppies, tumbling together, making contact. We curl up into little circles to eat our meals, people nap unapologetically during breaks, we give and receive massages and informal body work, the day is filled with little touches, squeezes, connections.
Getting sat on during yoga practice is pretty great.
Saying Goodbye
Today is the last day of Yoga Teacher Training.
I won't be certified for a few months; I have a national workshop to complete in October, as well as book reviews to write and some student teacher to document. But today is the last time we 30 trainees put down our mats for practice, the last time we sit in a sharing circle, the last time we drop down onto the studio floor for dinner and rejuvenation.
It is a joyful time - who could imagine that this day would come, a year ago when I wrote a check to hold my slot in the class (I was the very first person to sign up). Who could imagine that this day would come, that Friday night in January; meeting my fellow trainees for the first time, looking over the book, the 5 weeks of training, workshops, homework, assigned reading, student teaching all looming large in front of us. I felt fear that night - teach a class? Me? Where will I find a place to teach 5 free classes? Get paid for teaching yoga? Me? It all seemed so overwhelming and unlikely.
And yet, here we are. I'm planning to teach my first class at WHY on Monday - a gentle class subbing for one of the regular teachers. I'm also traveling to Farmington to take a class with a woman for whom I will be subbing throughout the summer. Sooner than I can ever imagine; I am becoming a yoga teacher.
So....one last time into the breech. Into an extended Barbara class, filled with ab work and sweat, demanding that I change clothes afterwards. She promised inversions, so I'll be upside down. One last sharing circle. One last meal with my fellow trainees (tonight, I am ordering something from Alchemy, to treat myself). And one last joyful celebration, as we are given our final feathers (I'm predicting an eagle feather, white with a black tip, just a hunch), and dance in the studio like madmen and madwomen.
This is my yoga teacher training class: my friends, my teachers, my peers, my family. It has been an incredible six months. And as excited as I am to be finishing up this training, to begin to teach, to have a little more space in my life, I am gonna miss these weekends so much. I am gonna miss these spirits.
I will see them around the studio, I will run into them at Whole Foods, I will trade emails. But I will not be here again...
I won't be certified for a few months; I have a national workshop to complete in October, as well as book reviews to write and some student teacher to document. But today is the last time we 30 trainees put down our mats for practice, the last time we sit in a sharing circle, the last time we drop down onto the studio floor for dinner and rejuvenation.
It is a joyful time - who could imagine that this day would come, a year ago when I wrote a check to hold my slot in the class (I was the very first person to sign up). Who could imagine that this day would come, that Friday night in January; meeting my fellow trainees for the first time, looking over the book, the 5 weeks of training, workshops, homework, assigned reading, student teaching all looming large in front of us. I felt fear that night - teach a class? Me? Where will I find a place to teach 5 free classes? Get paid for teaching yoga? Me? It all seemed so overwhelming and unlikely.
And yet, here we are. I'm planning to teach my first class at WHY on Monday - a gentle class subbing for one of the regular teachers. I'm also traveling to Farmington to take a class with a woman for whom I will be subbing throughout the summer. Sooner than I can ever imagine; I am becoming a yoga teacher.
So....one last time into the breech. Into an extended Barbara class, filled with ab work and sweat, demanding that I change clothes afterwards. She promised inversions, so I'll be upside down. One last sharing circle. One last meal with my fellow trainees (tonight, I am ordering something from Alchemy, to treat myself). And one last joyful celebration, as we are given our final feathers (I'm predicting an eagle feather, white with a black tip, just a hunch), and dance in the studio like madmen and madwomen.
This is my yoga teacher training class: my friends, my teachers, my peers, my family. It has been an incredible six months. And as excited as I am to be finishing up this training, to begin to teach, to have a little more space in my life, I am gonna miss these weekends so much. I am gonna miss these spirits.
I will see them around the studio, I will run into them at Whole Foods, I will trade emails. But I will not be here again...
June 14, 2008
Out with a Bang
I returned from yoga training last evening to find that Tim Russert has passed away. Not being much of a television junkie who gets most of her news from NPR, I perhaps have not watched too much of Mr. Russert's work. Yet I watch enough to know that he was a fixture, a force in the news media and political scene. He is being praised and mourned widely.
It is a reminder to us all of our mortality - no matter what our status in life, fame, celebrity, wealth, and power. And a warning to men in particular, who so often succumb to these sorts of sudden, fatal failures of the heart without a lot of warning.
Although I am not a huge fan of using celebrity deaths to promote a cause, there is an interesting piece on Mr. Russert's death and cardio-vascular health here
It is a reminder to us all of our mortality - no matter what our status in life, fame, celebrity, wealth, and power. And a warning to men in particular, who so often succumb to these sorts of sudden, fatal failures of the heart without a lot of warning.
Although I am not a huge fan of using celebrity deaths to promote a cause, there is an interesting piece on Mr. Russert's death and cardio-vascular health here
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