Life is Good

Life is good.......

I have been busy, as you may have surmised by my lack of posts. I am still rehabbing my left knee and hamstring, but feel that I have turned the corner, and am almost 100%. Yoga has been awesome. I picked up another 3 yoga Yoga classes to teach. 1 where I am already teaching, and 2 at a new place that Volleyball Guy referred me to. I also have a Martial Arts Studio interested in starting a Yoga program.

I am still working on setting up our home Yoga studio. The picture on the left is the "Before" picture. A total mess huh? It is our flex room, third garage, enclosed. We have used it for storage since we moved here. We are now going to clean it up, put down bamboo flooring, and make it a Yoga/Meditation room. I will keep you updated, and have an after picture as soon as I can. The first week in October, I am starting a Family Yoga class on Tues. & Thurs. nights in that room. That will pretty much fill my evening teaching schedule with classes from Monday through Thursday. My morning schedule is filled with a combo of personal practice and teaching. Mysore on Mon., Wed., & Fri. at 5:30am. Teaching Tues & Thur. at 6:30am, and Teaching a Sat class at 10am. That leaves time in the afternoon for more personal practice and meditation.

Mysore this morning was not as crowded as it has been. It was back to the core group, more or less. In additon to the oldest daughter and I, there was Returning Guy, Sanskrit Scholar, The British Director, NY girl, San Fran Gal, Donutszenmom, Quiet K, and M (until I get a better name for her.) Class was calm, and the energy was positive and flowing. Practice seemed to breeze by. The only interruptions were the occasional sounds of power tools coming from the construction being done on the other room of the SOYS.

Yesterday, our youngest daughter was invited by one of her friends to go to the Cheetah Girls concert. A big deal when you are seven I guess. The moms took the three girls that were going out for special outfits. They were very cute.

The wife remains upset that our pool is harboring a colony of algae. It is an interesting shade of green. I continue to calm her by promising to remedy the situation. I put pool shock in yesterday, and today will add some algaecide. It should take care of the problem. To calm her down, I took her to a Deep Stretch Yoga class yesterday evening. It was a class that I sub sometimes. There were many familiar faces there. Class was very passive and restorative. My Deep Strech classes are much more active and strenuous. It was relaxing though, and both the wife and I were very calm afterwards. We drove the convertable home with the top down. It was 7:30pm when we started home. The evening was perfect. I was chanting along with Krishna Das while the wife was relaxing and enjoying the evening air. Our 30 min drive home passed much too quickly. I felt like just driving all night. God forbid that we did not get home to see the season premier of Desperate Housewives (even though we had it being recorded on the DVR) I guess that you have to have your priorities right.

I am very centered lately, and feel grateful for my life and all the people in it. I am appreciative of the abundance which I enjoy, and the freedom to pursue my dreams. I continue to be in awe of how my life continues to unfold.

Life is Good.........

Life Happens

So, yesterday, the oldest Daughter has a head cold and stays home. Wed. morning at 5:30am, I walk into Mysore practice, and who do I see. A girl that I used to practice with all the time back when Volleyball Guy used to hold practice at his house... With her, she had her new baby son, and significant other. Her baby son was very cute..... I always liked her. She was calm and soft spoken. She had dark hair and eyes. I think that she mentioned that she was part Native American. She had a Vatta body, very thin and limber, and I always admired the grace with which she did her asana practice. Anyway, there she was. I had not seen her for over a year. She gave me a warm embrace, and introduced her family. We talked briefly, and then across the room I went to begin my practice..All the regulars were there with the noted exception of NY Girl, and the other Dave. Even Crim Girl made an appearance. She is so amazing. I don't know if she has a secret practice at home, or in her "Crim Cave" somewhere, but no matter how long she is away from practice, she just glides through asana with ease....... There were two tourists across from me at the end of the room. Sanskrit scholar knew them, and helped them through the series. It was obvious that, while they were new to Astanga, they were not new to yoga... A new girl has been coming regularly to morning mysore. I have only spoken briefly to her. She has an advanced practice, and breezes though second series right up to Mayarasana (sp.) . She will need a name if she continues to show up at practice.
My hamstring and knee are on the mend, and I have been taking a few extra classes. I went to the 4pm led first series Astanga class. There, I practiced next to the owner of the Starbucks of Yoga Studios. (SOYS) Hereto to be abbreviated SOYS to save typing. Anyway, as I continue to try and get a class to teach at SOYS, I am always lobbying the owner for a class. I had one, but they discontinued it, and relegated me to Substitute status.... Anyway, I had an awesome practice, and Volleyball Guy is always quick to point out my strengths to the class and use me as a demonstrator for difficult asana and chanting. I appreciate that, especially when the owner of SOYS is there. After class, I raced home for a quick shower and change of clothes, and then off to teach my 7pm Yoga class at the health club. About 6 students, all women. One girl stood out. She was very flexi.
Came home exhausted, showered and went to bed.

Up at 6am this morning to teach my 6:30am class at the health club. 12 student, mixed. They are starting to get to know me there. It is a fun class and I make it challenging even though it is an all levels class. I usually spend 35 min of hard power type work, and then 15 min more stretching, floor work, and end with a 5 min Savasana. It is hard to do a lot of Yoga in only an hour.

Today, I am cleaning out the garage, and going to start on the flex room. The plan is to put all the stuff from the flex room in the garage, leaving my car out of the garage, and make the flex room a Yoga/ meditation room where I can teach private and small group classes..Hopefully to start in October......Progress is slow, and we own way too much crap.........I read in many of the simplify your life books that when peoples houses burn down and they lose all their stuff, at first there are feeling of saddness and loss, but then there are feelings of liberation. They were involuntarily liberated from their "Stuff". It is really hard to voluntarily liberate yourself from your "Stuff".
I will plod on after I am finished typing here. I am feeling very at peace with myself, and relaxed with where I am in life. I do need to make some more money, but I think that that is right around the corner...... I am thinking positively..... I will manifest some more $$$$$$$$$

Tonight a Power Yoga class.... It will be awesome.........

9 11 + 5

Being a Renaissance man, I am also into Poetry. Here are a few poems I found at allpoetry.com

September Eleventh Remembered





Sentiments
Erupt
Painfully
Today
Emotions
Memories
Barbaric
Event
Remembered

Everyone
Languishes
Evermore
Vexed
Envisages
Numb
Totally
Horrified

Reasoning
Extraordinary
Most
Equate
Money
Based
Enthusiastic
Rationalism
Execrable
Dispersion





September Eleventh Remembered


Without Them
by Dalaney34 on Sep 11

It feels like...

your heart is on fire,

filling your body

and mind

with thick black smoke,

pain so intense

it makes you choke

on tears simmering

in the heat of sorrow.

It feels like...

there will never be

a tomorrow again,

and you try

to understand,

why you are still alive

with grief so strong -

how can life

go on without them?

Pretty intense........

That picture at the top hangs in our home. It was taken on Sept 8th. Three days before the attacks by a businees associate at the time. He and his lady friend were touring NY on the circle line. It is a fine representation, and a reminder of a time before War on Terrorism.

Of course, I, like everyone else remembers what they were doing five years ago. It is the same as those who were around when President Kennedy was shot. Time stops for a day, and every lives in the moment and is present for every event of the day.

I was living on the East Coast, in New Jersey, and remember starting my day early. I was in the car driving to a wholesaler to pick something up when the news came over the radio that a plane had hit the world trade center. I thought that they were talking about a small Cesna plane, or a small private plane like that. It was not until I arrived at the wholesaler that I heard that it was a large plane. On the way back to my store, More details of the incident kept coming over the radio. By the time I arrived and opened my store, The second plane had hit the Towers. I remember closing the store, and going home to see this on TV. I remember watching the surreal video. It looked like some special effects footage from a disaster movie. I tried to call my brother who worked in NYC to ensure that he was Ok, and my Uncle who lives in NYC, but the phones circuits were all busy. At the time, I was like everyone else. It never occurred to me that the Towers might collapse. How could that happen? I think it was the shock of actually seeing it happen live that affected people so seriously. In the early afternoon, I recieved a call from my uncle. He was shaken, but OK. Then I recieved a call from my brother saying that he was Ok. He was on his way driving into the city when it happened, and had to turn around because no one was allowed into the city. His brother in law, his wifes brother was missing.. He worked for Canter Fitzgerald in the towers.....Everyone waited for news of survivors, but as time passed, hope faded.
I remember turning off the television, getting on my bathing suit, grabbing my body board and fins and heading down to the beach. We only lived four blocks from the beach at the time.... I remember paddling out beyond the break and just floting there.. From the water off the Jersey shore, I could still see the smoke that had risen from where the towers had fallen. I always feel at peace in the ocean. Being in the water gives you a feeling of being a part of something that is so much larger than yourself. The waves that day were average size. Catching a wave is like connecting with everything around you. I stayed on the water riding waves and reflecting until sunset. My wife came to see me down at the beach. We both knew that everyone in the towers were gone. We sat on the beach and thought deep thoughts and talked.
My brother called later in the evening to confirm that his Brother in Law was gone... 23 years old. It seemed so young to us. We had just been at a BBQ with him and his Fiancee' two weeks earlier.
In the coming weeks we went to memorials, and saw memorials for others all over the area. Everyone was touched by the tragedy. There was much saddness, and many tears. Our kids were too young to understand what had happened, even though we tried to explain it in terms that they could relate to.
It is one of the defining days of our time. Its' impact will be felt as long as our generation is alive. Not unlike Pearl harbor for our ancestors.

We take this day to pause and remember those we lost five years ago, and then life goes on for another year.

What's in My Car Trunk?????

I hope that if I was ever in an accident, I would not be judged by what is in my trunk.
It is a total mess. Volleyballls and Yoga mats everywhere. A case of bottled water. A mix of clean and dirty towels. A sheet of paper with Yoga poses on it. A disaster....Maybe in the accident, the trunk would fly open, and the Volleyballs would bounce harmlessly down the street, and the Yoga mats would be safely thrown clear out of harms way. The water and towels are expendable. Who knows.........


I needed to know the tuning of a Nanga. A nanga is a seven stringed Ugandan harp. I could not find this info anywhere on the web. So I posted the question on the Yahoo Answers board...Don't ask why I needed to know. (and I still don't know the tuning.)... While I was there, I started reading the questions, and started answering a few. If you have the time to read some of the questions, you will be amazed. This site just reinforces my theory that there is a marked decline in civilization. The level of ignorance is astounding. The first thing that is noted is the total lack of grammatical ability and spelling. Many of the questions have to be decifered. Then the nature of the questions would be horrible if taken seriously. I took it upon myself to answer a few of the more intellegent questions........ For instance, one of the questions was:
I have a yeast infection, what should I do????

There were numerous answers already posted about over the counter treatments, and doctors to see. Of course, I feel that my answer was the best. It was as follows.....

To your festering Yeast infection add 2 cups of Flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1 egg, and a tablespoon of shortening. Put back on the non breathable panties that got you the infection in the first place. Jump up and down 10 time. Relax and let rise. Sit out in the sun in black pants for 2 hrs. Stick a wooden toothpick in. If it comes out clean, it is ready. Just pop it out, slice and serve warm..........Might as well make some bread down there...

I figured that I should have some fun with intellegent questions like that. There are plenty of them just as intellegent as that one.. It is truly amusing.

In the real world, have been working at getting more Yoga classes to teach. I went to mysore practice this morning with the older daughter. I took it easy because I am still rehabbing the left hamstring and knee. The usual suspects were there, with the addition of one of the popular Yoga instructors we know, and appearantly, her boyfriend. We all chatted a little after class...... On the way back from practice we saw the aftermath of a terrible automobile accident involving 3 vehicles and a bicycle. It looked really nasty, and snarled traffic.

Tomorrow, I have a CPR course scheduled. It is a requirement I must have to teach Yoga at the health club I am at. That means no Yoga tomorrow. More rehab time.....

Wife and I are going out with another couple tonight. We will see how it goes.......

More later.....

Issues........

Seems like everyone has Issues lately............

Fortunately for me, mine are only physical. After Yoga practice on Sat., my left hamstring tightened up. I had knee pain also...... So all day Sunday, and most of Monday I spent on the couch.....Rehabing with a heating pad........

Tuesday afternoon did first series led ashtanga. I was wearing a knee support on my left knee, but I was still in a lot of pain. No lotus at all. Not even close.......

This morning at mysore practice, I had a gentle practice, taking it easy on the left knee and hamstring...... I still believe that everything happens for a reason, and that all these happenings are the experiences that make up our lives. I am going to take it easy for the next few days, and see where I am physically after that. I have to teach Yoga classes this evening, and early tomorrow morning, but other than that, I am going to go easy on the asana practice.........

At mysore practice this morning, we walked in to find that Returning guy had returned after a five week sojourn. It was good to see him.... All the regulars were there: Sanskrit Scholor, The British Director, The other Dave, NY Girl, Donutszenmom. Speaking of Donutszenmom, she has not been Blogging lately. I don't know what issues she is dealing with , but she must need some personal, non blogging time. I am sure that she will be fine....She will surely return to the blogging when she is ready.....Sanskrit Scholar spent some time with the older daughter this morning refining her chanting skills. Sanskrit Scholar is an awesome person. She is giving, and focussed, and alway has a smile on her face. She works exceedingly hard at perfecting her sanskrit and chanting skills . I feel very fortunate to know her and have the benefit of her dedication. I hope that other feel as I do.

I have been on a music kick lately. I have been searching I-tunes for new and interesting music. I have found quite a few interesting tunes...... Here are a few of them if U are interested........

Deep Water (acoustic version) by Seal
Rangefinder by Antimatter
Emerge by Fischerspooner
Teardrop by Massive Attack
In the Shadow of Life by Niyaz
Footprints by Jai Uttal

Check them out..... very eclectic.....................

First episode of Nip/Tuck last night... I love that show... In every episode I see some part of my life mirrored. I don't know if that is good or bad because it is such a bizarre show with such controvertial topics. I never miss an episode though. Thank god for my DVR...............

Lunch today with the Flower lady... She is unbelievably interesting and spiritual. Her second book will be out soon. I can't wait to read it. Hours just slip by unnoticed when we are lost in conversation. She has freelance work for me throughout the fall.. She has a notion that "spirit" has told her that she is to go to Kansas to open an ashram...... Kansas of all places....... Good luck with that...........I don't know if she is going to listen to that or not......... anyway, she is a trip and I really enjoy her company..............

More later............

Poof! There Goes A Week

A Week just seems to fly by these days.

Highlights of the week.......
Started a Yoga teaching job at local health club. Only have 3 classes a week, but the perks include a free membership at the club. It is literally a quarter mile from my house. That is a big bonus.

On Thurs. I sought out my first Anasura Yoga experience. Searching Yoga websites, I found a local Yoga Shala that has a 3 hour advanced yoga class every Tues & Thurs. It is based on Anasura Yoga. I rolled in, put down my mat, and was warmly welcomed. It was very much less formal and structured than I am used to. We started with chanting, then self warm up. It struck me that during warm up, everyone was working on handstands. A strange way to warm up I thought. I went through the standing series of Ashtanga.
After 30 min of self warm up, the class kind of started.
We did 3 sets of 1 min handstand, 1 min. Pincha mayarasana, 1 min Ab work, and 1 min back bending. This I really liked. It was challenging... I was the only one not doing handstand and pincha mayarasana against the wall. It was noted by the instructor. In handstand, I was able to do the full first min, but had to come down once in the second set, and 3 times in the third set. After those sets, we began a long set of asana with a few workshopped poses. Everyone was very friendly and supportive. After about 90 min of asana, we did 10 min sirsasana (headstand), and 12 min salamba sarvangasana (shoulder stand). I had no problem with the head stand. When it came time for shoulder stand everyone started grabbing every imaginable prop. Everything from blocks and foam pads of every shape, to folding chairs. I made some joke about it, but noone was amused. Obviously, there was some Iyengar influence here. I switched my legs to Padmasana (lotus) a little more than half way through the 12 min, and kept my legs there while in shoulder stand for the second half. I am going to try and get back to that class next Thurs...

Friday morning mysore practice at 5:30am with the oldest daughter. One of Mr. Indias last practices here before he and his wife leave for India again. On Wed, after mysore practice, A few of us met after practice for tea and coffee. I was late because I had to first drop the oldest daughter off home to prepare for school. It was relaxing, and the conversation pleasant.

After Mysore on Friday, I had a meeting with another Yoga instructor I know who set up an interview for a potential teaching job at a nice health club near by. I took her power class at 9:30am. Yes, I know that is only 2 hrs. after my morning mysore practice. What can I say. I am over the edge sometimes. After the class, a very good one, I might add, she introduced me to the manager in charge of Group fitness. She was very cordial, and told me to put in an application, and if anything came up, they would call me.

Needless to say, after food shopping on the way home from the power class, I took a two hour epsom salt bath, and spent the rest of the day relaxing.

In the early afternoon though , the wife and I took a trip to the Ins. Co to pick up a check. Last Nov. I was in an automobile accident. I was stopped, and was hit from behind by a pickup truck, who pushed me into the pickup truck in front of me. My van was totalled. The pick up trucks were both fine. Anyway, settled the claim, and picked up the check. It was not as much as we had hoped for, but considering that I was fortunate not to have been more severely injured, it was ok.

Friday night we went to do something that we haven't done in at least 20 years. We went with some friends to play, BINGO. What a trip. Of course, the first thing I do is tell my bingo joke loud enough so everyone around us can hear. The joke is an oldie, but a goodie. It goes:

How do you make 20 old ladies say "FUCK" all at the same time?
Just yell "BINGO".
It drew laughs from our party, and dirty looks from all the seniors around us.

Needless to say, we did not win. I had forgotten that playing Bingo is like watching grass grow.

Yesterday I kept thinking about everyone on the east coast getting pounded by a tropical storm. It is a typical story. Weather always sucks on the weekends at the shore. So glad that we are no longer there.. Was hoping that everyone was ok. It made me think of my special friend in Belmar. I alway hope that she is ok and safe.

Woke up with a little bit of a sore throat this morning. I am drinking ginger/ green tea with honey as I blog.. I also have been having some left hamstring issues which have migrated into my left knee. I have been doing a lot of wheatgrass shot lately. I have also begun supplimenting with Tumeric. Tumeric is supposed to be an anti inflamitory that will help loosen some joint up a little....I have to be better for mysore tomorrow morning. Today will be a relaxing day. Trying to rehab. May break down and take a deep stretch class this evening.