I’m sitting on the couch, watching the rain. Spring rain, brief and warm, my favorite. The windows are open and the smell of wet earth and concrete makes me happy. I just finished home yoga and a meditation. I feel relaxed. It has been one week of yoga every day. The evenings last longer. I am more patient, at home and at work. Everything is less urgent. So far, so good.
A few quick thoughts:
1. Kundalini yoga is weird. Please feel free to correct me on that statement. I did a program on Hulu that involved lifting and dropping my body on the ground. Oh yes, and lots of chanting and breath of fire. Not my thing, but I’d try it again to be proven wrong. Still not going to buy an all-white outfit, however.
2. Yoga with a View is a better Hulu alternative. Gets straight to the point and pairs nicely with other workouts, (like walking the dogs to the park).
3. Yoga instructors make all the difference. Over the last couple weeks, I’ve discovered some really wonderful yoga instructors who actually make me want to go to class. I had been going to a yoga class that was convenient for my schedule, but with an instructor I dreaded. Now I’ve befriended a couple instructors (one who is moving to Germany, boo!) and feel much more encouraged/likely to maintain a regular studio routine.
4. Yoga buddies also make a difference. Knowing that others have joined me for daily yoga in May is keeping me true, (ahem, Friday night was definitely a challenge, but I did it!). Likewise, having people who expect you to show up to class also helps to stop the urge to just stay home and practice from the comfort of my living room.
5. Restorative yoga is amazing. I attended a free class for teacher appreciation week on Saturday that not only left me feeling deeply relaxed but also prompted me to take the most restful nap of my life. Thanks Tami! (You can check out Tami’s awesome blog here…)
6. Daily yoga is life-changing. Okay, I know I’m only a week in, but I dabbled with it in December, and I’m getting back into that groove. Not only does a daily practice inspire me to eat cleaner, but it also leaves me feeling much more centered, especially while I teach. And, speaking of teaching, I think I might want to take classes to become a yoga instructor. Not right this moment, but if I can sustain a regular practice, I would love to be able to integrate it into my work with kids (and maybe eventually adults too).
Alright, I think that’s enough thoughts on yoga for tonight, but I promise there are more to come. Perhaps you’ll join me for a daily practice and share your thoughts too?
My current obsession– whether or not to volunteer to work at Wanderlust this summer for a free pass… Any yoga besties want in?
oliviaobryon 
Kudos to you. Keep it up.
Thanks! I hope to! 😀
My brother swears by regular yoga to keep him happy and healthy! This is so awesome you’re doing this.
Okay, I’ve gone to the wanderlust site and for some reason I can’t figure it out — what’s it all about? Where would you be volunteering? If you’re doing any bay events let me know 🙂
p.s. I love that you described the smell of wet earth and concrete, it’s one of my favorite things, too! ❤
Your brother is a smart man 😉 It’s just a big yoga festival up in Tahoe… Wish I could make it to the Bay Area one but going to Mt. Shasta for mother’s day. Basically it’s just a bunch of people doing yoga together with concerts and healthy food. If I volunteer, it will be in Tahoe, (you work three days for 5-6 hours, then attend the festival one day for free). It’s not the most amazing deal in the world, but I’d like to check it out and not fork over $ for the entire four days… We’ll see. They don’t give you a place to stay, so not sure I want to pay to go… Might just go for one day to see what it’s all about. 😀
[Pretends to not see this post cause he is embarrassed by the line- “having people who expect you to show up to class..” 😉
Haha, well, just knowing you were *supposed* to be there was enough to get me there, so I’m still grateful 😉
Thank you for the shout out and for coming to class! Teachers are my absolute favorite people and deserve the best.
Yoga has totally helped with my classroom teaching by building my patience, flexibility and overall well being. A daily practice is a laudable goal and I wish you well with that.
I hope to see you again soon.
I can really see how yoga helps with classroom teaching, I’m really excited to grow my practice and see how it translates. Thanks again for the fabulous relaxation, I definitely plan to be back! 😀
I never thought of looking on Hulu for workouts of any kind.
There’s all kinds of great (and weird) stuff, especially if you have Hulu Plus. 🙂
Nicely done! I live right by Zuda Yoga in Midtown and have always meant to check it out…but it’s always good to know I can turn to Hulu if I’m feeling adventurous but not quite like walking half a block 😉
Zuda is on my list to try this summer– a friend teaches there. Sounds like a great workout, maybe on the intense side for yoga, but I want to give it a go. How nice you live close, I’m about 15 minutes, which is a major downside. If you check it out, you’ll have to let me know what you think! 🙂
me + you = hot yoga soon
Deal.
Btw, this was a great read and let me know how it goes with Wanderlust. I registered yesterday for the SF event on Sunday and am thinking about the Tahoe one, volunteering might be cool..
Glad that you are enjoying your daily yoga; It is addicting! I find that I am much more present in the classroom when I pradtice regularly; it is funny that you are thinking of doing a yoga teaching training program, that is what happened to me. I like to do yoga things with my preschoolers.