Yoga-licious!

Sunday morning I woke up completely exhausted. A full day of asana is quite intense. Okay, maybe it wasn't a full day, but teaching 1 short class on Saturday and taking 4 others did a number on my hip flexors and my hamstrings. I guess that's what a shit load of adho mukha svanasana does.

The yoga training was quite an experience. Full of challenges and successes. When we finally took Shy's class Sunday evening, I was wiped. Most of the teacher trainers were in the back row and many of us observed rather than doing asana for most of the class. For the first time I did stay for meditation since we were doing a little potluck party afterwards. It was a great way to breathe and center. Shy gave us one final exercise at the party. It was similar to the "spreading sunshine" exercise I do that I learned from the folks at Moving in the Spirit in Atlanta years ago. However, in this case, Shy wanted us to talk to each person in the program privately and tell them what we thought about them. To be honest, I am not a fan of that structure. I tend to keep things more positive, so I went the "sunshine" way and told people what I appreciated about them.

It saddened me that for many people I spoke with I started by saying that we really don't know each other. In those last two days we really began to open up, truly support each other and share. Of the people who attended the evening potluck, there was only one person with whom I did not really get along. So I just avoided her all together. However, I did speak to everyone else - well, except for the significant others and the guys that were there that I didn't know at all. Luckily the guys in question were musicians, so there was lovely musical accompaniment for our intimate conversations.

In this time of struggling friendships and lack of community, I was very moved by all of my connections that evening. Most people commented on my enthusiasm, positive energy, sense of humor, ease in giving difficult feedback or constructive criticism. Other mentioned my creativity in class planning and nurturing quality. And everyone that took my Saturday assessment class gave me positive comments. I regretted the class I taught because it was not the best way to showcase my skills with teaching asana and alignment. However, I taught for students in the room. With all of the negativity around me these last few months, it truly surprised me that I was being recognized for the person I want to be. And perhaps it's closer to the person that I am.

The biggest news that I taught my first public 90 minute yoga class last night. Moksha Life Center was recommended to me by Lauren Gunderson. I contacted them a few weeks ago and Gwen asked me to sub, but I was unable. So, while it scared me to death, I taught last night. I was a bit tired from a long day in the city. There was a massage intern from NHI giving free chair massages, so I sat down and he worked his magic. So much so, that I started to overheat and get light headed. I was dehydrated, so with these new toxins floating around, it didn't help. But I found teaching relatively easy. I let my body decide on the poses and guided alignment both with my voice and with light touch. I asked for feedback after the class and both of the students said they really liked it. That it was relaxing. I left with a check in hand and a smile on my face.

Besides the ginger snaps that I bought earlier in the day from Miette at the Ferry Building, teaching yoga was a nice birthday gift.

You Gotta Assess (chuate) the Positive

This week marks the last weekend of yoga teacher training and today was the first of two assessment days. Starting last night I got very nervous and my anxiety just increased this morning. I had a good idea for a class, but since I really wanted to stay in the moment, I never went through it or timed anything. So my class on asana from the chakras was just okay. To give myself some credit, it was certainly creative and I'm guessing different from everyone else's. However, I ran out of time the poses I chose did not allow for much detailed instruction. I did teach for the bodies in the room, but I took on too much. In my discussion with Shy afterwards, we decided that it was a good learning experience. And better yet, the class did learn new things.

The best thing, however is that when I went into teaching, I was not nervous at all. I was able to just be open and share. There were definitely some clunky parts, but it's a good start. I have truly learned to build upon my strengths and teach a good class. My asanas are also stronger. It would be nice to say that I will be better about taking on a daily practice, but I cannot guarantee that. I want to keep my energy of "no judgement" up as I aim to do what feels good and helps my body and mind.

I took a week off from working on Funny Bone, so I need to jump back into that. Especially since I saw the video from my thesis and would like to work on a few elements. I also got notification that I did not get the CA$H grant, so I must find some other funding sources.

No rest for the weary, funny yogi!

sunshine Dada smile

Today I am having a sad day. I'm not going into detail, but that being said, I am doing relatively okay. The sun is shining, I had a simple and what felt like a successful print audition this morning. Luckily Nathan's office was right down the street. As I settled in to do a bit of work I got this email...

Hello there Hope --

So I'm sitting on my bed sick with strep throat and reading my Dada's Women that I'm technically reading so I can write a Paper for a Class, but really I'm just curious. And I think to myself, I want to stage a Dada Cabaret.

So then I hop online to see if I could find any video representations of what I could think of or perhaps someone has already done something of the sort before or is currently doing said thing and I could talk with them and See.

And your website was the second thing listed (right after Dada improvisational company) and I was intrigued and clicked on it and smiled and kept on smiling and then found myself on your blog and that was thoroughly enjoyable as well.

Anyways, all this to say: I like the work that you did. And even though it was a year ago I hope that it was something significant and wonderful for you and that you are continuing to do said significant and wonderful things.

And really, that's all.

-Lori

It just made me smile. It's just the kind of inspiration that will bring tomorrow's sun into my Annie audition with Diablo Theatre Co. Um, yeah. Annie.

More Perspective

I am having a sad day, but I still need to take a moment out to be grateful for my life.

1. two auditions today

2. a few hours of work today

3. the casual carpool to come

4. good food (like last nights' dinner)

5. laughter

Tomorrow is my yoga teaching assessment and I planned a class based on the chakras, but I'm thinking of scrapping the whole thing. The partner yoga that I wanted to do wasn't working, so I am looking for something else. I guess I should do that before I am forced out of bed and thrust into this crazy day!

Does Monday = Procrastination?

I stayed in bed this morning until about 9:30AM which is right on for me lately if I don't have anywhere to be. I heard Tony head out around 8:15AM. I believe he was going hiking up the coast. It's a gorgeous day today, but I was unable to go since I have an audition at 2PM for a puppet theatre company.

My mind is a little scattered today. I really cannot keep focus. I keep looking at my Funny Bone definitions, thinking about Laughter is a River and worked a bit on the audition sides. Of course I trolled Facebook and Twitter and skimmed my regular blogs and some news articles.

This is my Google horoscope for today.

Taurus
By Rick Levine
Retrograde Mercury in your sign may be creating its share of delays but today you are determined to make progress in spite of circumstances beyond your control. Managing your anger may take all your concentration if others get in your way. Still, your determination is stronger than usual, giving you the willpower to overcome a variety of obstacles.

Perhaps I should not have read it since while I am not angry at all, I have grown more anxious. Perhaps is it the audition, or the Bay Area Theatre Critic Circle Awards tonight, my yoga certification assessment this coming weekend or the lack of work this week.

Gosh, that's enough to make me hide under the covers for the rest of the day.

I was going to have another cup of coffee to keep me going, but now I see that's a bad idea. I am instead going to get dressed, work on the audition sides and BREATHE.

Quick things to be grateful:
1. arts & culture close by
2. housing potentials if tony leaves
3. new potential jobs
4. yoga & meditation
5. gorgeous spring weather

Late Night Gratitude

Today was a long day. Early morning computer work, a brunch of dim sum, Chauncey's class at The Beat, Art Savvy at YBCA, a little downtime and coffee in the Union Square area, and then dinner and Round and Round the Garden at ACT with Lauren. As is typical during a long day with some SF time my eyes get tired. When this happened once in NY I took a time out and got a 10 minute chair massage. That was awesome. However in this case, a little walk, some coffee and review of my yoga asana flash cards was helpful.

It was nice to have such a full and diversified day. And now just a little gratitude before I slumber.

1. a nice community around me
2. my ipod (with music and podcasts!)
3. good food abound
4. good theatre
5. reliable transportation

Return of the Gratitude

Yesterday I spent a bit of time reading old posts. Mostly because in the last week I celebrated the fourth year of this crazy documentation of this journey. Okay, time to get personal. My journey. Whether I want it or not.

One of the things I noticed is that I have stopped doing my daily gratitudes. Or at least a list of things to be grateful for each time I posted. Perhaps I have been a bit cynical. Or angry or maybe lonely. But change is a-coming. Whether it wants to or not.

Yoo-hoo, gratitude list!!

You're on!

Daily Gratitudes:
1. sunny skies
2. Lauren & Suehyla for their feedback on 'Laughter is a River'
3. Janice for sending me a job posting and encouraging me to apply
4. good food - Thai yesterday and Ethiopian tonight
5. a roommate who regularly cleans the dishes