The Last Apprenticeship
Friday after thanksgiving was my last apprenticing class at rising lotus yoga. I wish I could say it was bittersweet, but it was not. It was just sad in general. Since August I have been there almost every Friday night, and I have gotten to know everyone in the class with Jay ( the teacher). All of his regulars are really sweet and enjoy Iyengar yoga so much. The moment they sit down on the mat they smile. Many of them have gotten to know me as well, so I think next week will be a little weird for me not to be there with Jay.
I did have two teachers I was apprenticing with Sarah, and Jay. I was on the schedule alternating with another graduate for Sarah’s class so I did not get to know Sarah’s students as well as I knew Jay’s. However I learned so much from both of them. In the last class with Jay there was a man who just had rotator cuff surgery. So he is stiff in general and many or the chest opening postures were slightly out of his range of motion. The class was mostly restorative backbends. Jay started with the most difficult then went into the easiest poses. One pose in particular was very challenging for this student.
I was about to take him out of this difficult pose and place him in an easier version when Jay came over, and just added a few blankets to the mix then the student was in the pose. I was in awe just a bit. It was an adjustment I would have never learned if I did not apprentice with Jay. My alternate pose was too easy for the student. I am sure now that I have learned this modification I will think outside the box instead of just giving a simpler pose if it is possible.
I do feel much more confident teaching after all my apprenticeship classes are over. Now I have finals, and I will be ready to look for jobs and teach after that. My goal is 6 classes a week. I think that is a reasonable goal, and I believe I will make it happen in the year to come. Make money money and go shopping!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Teenagers and yoga…….Hummm
Last week before the holiday break I headed over to a local high school to teach a varsity soccer team yoga. The players are all girls with basic hamstring problems. They run a lot and do not stretch out their legs enough, or ever. So I had to come up with a way to get them into learning the basic warrior poses and vinyasana in a fun way.
I remember being a teenager and trying and an actual yoga class. I laughed the whole way through, and thought it was weird. Having this previous experience I just assumed the girls may feel the same way I did. I had to make the practice eventful, and show these girls what was cool, and what was hard about yoga. I have to admit I needed to be a bit of a drill sergeant to get them into practice mode.
About 20% of the girls were interested at first, but the other 80% were chatty, and aloof. So I started with plank to see where their core strength was. I had them roll back and forth using their toes to start the warm up. Unfortunately only a hand full of them could, and then I knew my work was cut out for me. The majority could only do 10 and then I had to put them in child’s pose. Many of the girls started to complain right then and there. They were tired, it hurt, that burns. I told them to suck it up and that’s just the warm up. The looks of horror across the faces of these girls were priceless. I wish I had a camera. All we did was hold plank and child’s pose and they were done? What?
These girls are half my age and they never do any core work. That is crazy! I continue to teach a half series A sun salute, but none of the girls could even come close to touching the floor with their finger tips. So I had them press into their shins and then forward fold like 20 times just to warm up their hamstrings. At this point the complaining had somewhat stopped. 50% of the girls realized they were out of shape, and a lot of this could help them strengthen the muscles in their legs. Next part of the practice was external rotated poses, warrior 2, triangle pose, and side angle. However, I had to make this fun for the girls. I did have them moving and clapping a lot.
While they were in warrior 2 I had them straighten the bent front leg, and circle the hands above head to clap and count. Then bend the front leg and extend the arms out to the sides. If I did not keep them moving I would never hear the end of the burning they were probably experiencing in their things. That’s the thing about teen agers they speak their minds no matter what. Once warrior 2 was complete I placed them in triangle. About 80% of the girls became interested in what was going on at this point in the practice. The complaining stopped and the work started. The girls actually started to get why I was stretching out their hips and legs so deeply, and it started to become enjoyable.
The 20% that did not enjoy were not my concern. Teen agers are difficult to please, so if 80% enjoyed themselves that’s great. Once the externally rotated poses were finished I placed them in malasana, and we did twists from there. I did have to throw in a standing posture for balance, so I threw in something a little more difficult but neat looking. I added dancing shiva, yes that sounds a little out of the ordinary, but they were warm, and their hips were open. There were going to be no back bends in that lesson so this served the purpose. It worked out well because it became everyone’s the favorite pose of the day. All and all it was a lot of fun, and a bit challenging.
Last week before the holiday break I headed over to a local high school to teach a varsity soccer team yoga. The players are all girls with basic hamstring problems. They run a lot and do not stretch out their legs enough, or ever. So I had to come up with a way to get them into learning the basic warrior poses and vinyasana in a fun way.
I remember being a teenager and trying and an actual yoga class. I laughed the whole way through, and thought it was weird. Having this previous experience I just assumed the girls may feel the same way I did. I had to make the practice eventful, and show these girls what was cool, and what was hard about yoga. I have to admit I needed to be a bit of a drill sergeant to get them into practice mode.
About 20% of the girls were interested at first, but the other 80% were chatty, and aloof. So I started with plank to see where their core strength was. I had them roll back and forth using their toes to start the warm up. Unfortunately only a hand full of them could, and then I knew my work was cut out for me. The majority could only do 10 and then I had to put them in child’s pose. Many of the girls started to complain right then and there. They were tired, it hurt, that burns. I told them to suck it up and that’s just the warm up. The looks of horror across the faces of these girls were priceless. I wish I had a camera. All we did was hold plank and child’s pose and they were done? What?
These girls are half my age and they never do any core work. That is crazy! I continue to teach a half series A sun salute, but none of the girls could even come close to touching the floor with their finger tips. So I had them press into their shins and then forward fold like 20 times just to warm up their hamstrings. At this point the complaining had somewhat stopped. 50% of the girls realized they were out of shape, and a lot of this could help them strengthen the muscles in their legs. Next part of the practice was external rotated poses, warrior 2, triangle pose, and side angle. However, I had to make this fun for the girls. I did have them moving and clapping a lot.
While they were in warrior 2 I had them straighten the bent front leg, and circle the hands above head to clap and count. Then bend the front leg and extend the arms out to the sides. If I did not keep them moving I would never hear the end of the burning they were probably experiencing in their things. That’s the thing about teen agers they speak their minds no matter what. Once warrior 2 was complete I placed them in triangle. About 80% of the girls became interested in what was going on at this point in the practice. The complaining stopped and the work started. The girls actually started to get why I was stretching out their hips and legs so deeply, and it started to become enjoyable.
The 20% that did not enjoy were not my concern. Teen agers are difficult to please, so if 80% enjoyed themselves that’s great. Once the externally rotated poses were finished I placed them in malasana, and we did twists from there. I did have to throw in a standing posture for balance, so I threw in something a little more difficult but neat looking. I added dancing shiva, yes that sounds a little out of the ordinary, but they were warm, and their hips were open. There were going to be no back bends in that lesson so this served the purpose. It worked out well because it became everyone’s the favorite pose of the day. All and all it was a lot of fun, and a bit challenging.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Major events
Major events.
Three things have changed this week; I started my yoga practice again, and I taught a segment in a class I apprentice in, and this part of my apprenticeship also came to an end. Tuesday morning I woke up at 6:30 started my day with coffee and facebook then went straight to Rising Lotus yoga for my last class with Sarah. I walked into the studio with a bit of time before the class began. I signed in, and Sarah made sure I knew I was going to teach three poses in the class.
Sarah taught her normal warm up for the level one class, and then decided to teach warrior one. Warrior one is a more difficult pose, and most people that do practice yoga never get into the pose correctly. It stretches the hips, expands the ribs and you have to place your feet correctly or your balance will be off. Warrior two is much easier on the body. After warrior one was finished being taught Sarah winked at me and gave me the go ahead!
This was the first time I instructed outside of my teacher training class. I have to say it was a easier to teach strangers than my peers. The class was really focused on my words and instructions. I demoed the poses, and explained the way to get in and out of each pose. The only thing I did not do was walk around the room and check for misaligned poses. Next time I will. I will also get more comfortable teaching and feel free to explain things in different ways as I grow as a teacher. The best part of the class was getting to demo the poses. That was the first time in two weeks I had even attempted any yoga.
I really needed to lengthen my sides out for sure. Later that night I did attend teacher X’s class. IN my back bend I felt like my skin was ripping apart as it stretched over my hip bones. It was her normal class, and I did make it through class, but started to feel exhausted as I was leaving. Teacher X and I were supposed to grab dinner, but I was too tired to make it. Once I got home the muscles in my back were already sore. I feared I was going to be in bad shape the next day, but I was not. Everything worked itself out while I was sleeping that night. Finally I am back into my normal routine. I know I am still a little sick, but what can you do?
My week must go on. Tomorrow I have my apprentice ship with my Iyengar instructor. I only have two more classes to do with him. My training is almost over and I am happy and sad about the whole thing. I want to start teaching and look forward to it.
Three things have changed this week; I started my yoga practice again, and I taught a segment in a class I apprentice in, and this part of my apprenticeship also came to an end. Tuesday morning I woke up at 6:30 started my day with coffee and facebook then went straight to Rising Lotus yoga for my last class with Sarah. I walked into the studio with a bit of time before the class began. I signed in, and Sarah made sure I knew I was going to teach three poses in the class.
Sarah taught her normal warm up for the level one class, and then decided to teach warrior one. Warrior one is a more difficult pose, and most people that do practice yoga never get into the pose correctly. It stretches the hips, expands the ribs and you have to place your feet correctly or your balance will be off. Warrior two is much easier on the body. After warrior one was finished being taught Sarah winked at me and gave me the go ahead!
This was the first time I instructed outside of my teacher training class. I have to say it was a easier to teach strangers than my peers. The class was really focused on my words and instructions. I demoed the poses, and explained the way to get in and out of each pose. The only thing I did not do was walk around the room and check for misaligned poses. Next time I will. I will also get more comfortable teaching and feel free to explain things in different ways as I grow as a teacher. The best part of the class was getting to demo the poses. That was the first time in two weeks I had even attempted any yoga.
I really needed to lengthen my sides out for sure. Later that night I did attend teacher X’s class. IN my back bend I felt like my skin was ripping apart as it stretched over my hip bones. It was her normal class, and I did make it through class, but started to feel exhausted as I was leaving. Teacher X and I were supposed to grab dinner, but I was too tired to make it. Once I got home the muscles in my back were already sore. I feared I was going to be in bad shape the next day, but I was not. Everything worked itself out while I was sleeping that night. Finally I am back into my normal routine. I know I am still a little sick, but what can you do?
My week must go on. Tomorrow I have my apprentice ship with my Iyengar instructor. I only have two more classes to do with him. My training is almost over and I am happy and sad about the whole thing. I want to start teaching and look forward to it.
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Eames House
The Eames House
Part of my adventure last week was a glimpse into the famous Eames home. This house is referred to as Case Study 8. I don’t really know all that much about the modern architects Charles and Ray Eames, but I have a feeling I am about to learn a lot about them. What I do know is that they are responsible for many of the modern houses built in the 1960’s. These two did not design them all, but were pioneers in their designs and inspiration for many modernists.
Eames built this particular home for himself and his wife. The home was finished being built by 1949 and they lived there for the remainder of their lives. The house is Iconic. I had seen pictures before my visit, but had no idea what these two people did for modern art in general until last week. The house was small only 1500 square feet. However it sits on a large amount of undeveloped land, and has a work studio right next to it.
Most of the interior is in decent condition, but a lot of the original floors, counters, and cabinets need to be restored. This entire house was built in the 40’s, but there are earth quakes in LA. Not to mention that this is right off the ocean in the palisades. These two conditions will start to break down any home in the area. The beach air is probably harsher than the earthquakes because the inside has a lot of woodwork.
The outside is what I think made the house special. Visually the house is very modern and rectangular. The exterior is broken down into square shapes that fit into the bigger rectangle home. The largest part of the property is just grass and trees. Most builders would have just leveled the house with the view of the ocean. They did not. The house is perpendicular to the beach, but parallel to the meadow outside. The couple had picnics and watched the sunset in the meadow. Oh romance!
It was cool, and I look forward to seeing as many of the case study homes as possible over the next few months. If you want to check this out www.eamesfoundation.org.
Part of my adventure last week was a glimpse into the famous Eames home. This house is referred to as Case Study 8. I don’t really know all that much about the modern architects Charles and Ray Eames, but I have a feeling I am about to learn a lot about them. What I do know is that they are responsible for many of the modern houses built in the 1960’s. These two did not design them all, but were pioneers in their designs and inspiration for many modernists.
Eames built this particular home for himself and his wife. The home was finished being built by 1949 and they lived there for the remainder of their lives. The house is Iconic. I had seen pictures before my visit, but had no idea what these two people did for modern art in general until last week. The house was small only 1500 square feet. However it sits on a large amount of undeveloped land, and has a work studio right next to it.
Most of the interior is in decent condition, but a lot of the original floors, counters, and cabinets need to be restored. This entire house was built in the 40’s, but there are earth quakes in LA. Not to mention that this is right off the ocean in the palisades. These two conditions will start to break down any home in the area. The beach air is probably harsher than the earthquakes because the inside has a lot of woodwork.
The outside is what I think made the house special. Visually the house is very modern and rectangular. The exterior is broken down into square shapes that fit into the bigger rectangle home. The largest part of the property is just grass and trees. Most builders would have just leveled the house with the view of the ocean. They did not. The house is perpendicular to the beach, but parallel to the meadow outside. The couple had picnics and watched the sunset in the meadow. Oh romance!
It was cool, and I look forward to seeing as many of the case study homes as possible over the next few months. If you want to check this out www.eamesfoundation.org.
Friday, November 12, 2010
He is off.
And he is off.
Yesterday was a marathon. I went from Malibu to LAX all in one day. It was totally worth it. By the mid afternoon there was nothing better to do then drink. In the middle of the Farmers market we sat and drank for two hours. Had lunch and took my visitor back to the airport. The last five days have been a whirl wind, but they were all worth it.
I knew I was not feeling 100% yesterday, but thought I was having bad allergies because of the wind. I was wrong. I woke up today feeling like someone had punched me in the face, and lit my sinuses on fire. I am grateful that I feel like this today, and not during the last five days. I will admit I may have gone overboard with the eating and drinking that started last Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
It was my first weekend completely free of Teacher Training and I let loose! My visitor came on Sunday and I kept on going like I was 20 years old. It was worth it. I needed the fun time, and to let go of all the studying, focus, and stress. Even though I am under the weather I still feel refreshed.
Also I feel like I have been fighting a cold for the past month. I have been sick a few days here and there, but I am down for the count today. I think everything has caught up to me, and it’s time to sleep and relax for a day or so. I am just kinda disappointed that I cannot go to yoga tonight. I cannot breathe well. Why do colds just block one side of your nose then 20 minutes later stuff up the other side? It’s so weird. I really don’t have the strength to drive anywhere either. I made a food run earlier and it practically took all my energy just to walk to my car.
My nose is running and that is the most exercise I will get for the day. My normal routine will just have to wait one or two more days until I am back on track. I am sure that a two week break from yoga won’t kill me, but it might when I start up my practice again. I have really been craving my harder flow classes, however; there is no way I would be able to make it through even half of that class. I tried to do crescent pose a tiny bit ago and could not hold it for 20 seconds. I get frustrated when I am not feeling well.
Yesterday was a marathon. I went from Malibu to LAX all in one day. It was totally worth it. By the mid afternoon there was nothing better to do then drink. In the middle of the Farmers market we sat and drank for two hours. Had lunch and took my visitor back to the airport. The last five days have been a whirl wind, but they were all worth it.
I knew I was not feeling 100% yesterday, but thought I was having bad allergies because of the wind. I was wrong. I woke up today feeling like someone had punched me in the face, and lit my sinuses on fire. I am grateful that I feel like this today, and not during the last five days. I will admit I may have gone overboard with the eating and drinking that started last Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
It was my first weekend completely free of Teacher Training and I let loose! My visitor came on Sunday and I kept on going like I was 20 years old. It was worth it. I needed the fun time, and to let go of all the studying, focus, and stress. Even though I am under the weather I still feel refreshed.
Also I feel like I have been fighting a cold for the past month. I have been sick a few days here and there, but I am down for the count today. I think everything has caught up to me, and it’s time to sleep and relax for a day or so. I am just kinda disappointed that I cannot go to yoga tonight. I cannot breathe well. Why do colds just block one side of your nose then 20 minutes later stuff up the other side? It’s so weird. I really don’t have the strength to drive anywhere either. I made a food run earlier and it practically took all my energy just to walk to my car.
My nose is running and that is the most exercise I will get for the day. My normal routine will just have to wait one or two more days until I am back on track. I am sure that a two week break from yoga won’t kill me, but it might when I start up my practice again. I have really been craving my harder flow classes, however; there is no way I would be able to make it through even half of that class. I tried to do crescent pose a tiny bit ago and could not hold it for 20 seconds. I get frustrated when I am not feeling well.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Art of Eating Way Too Much
The Art of Eating Way Too Much
Yesterday, we started the day with a drive through Mulholland. The trip started in Encino and ended in West Hollywood. Off of Mulholland is a group of homes made in the 1960’s. They are mostly modern, and many have been given face lifts over the years. Some of these are nice looking homes and some look like the 80’s threw up all over them. Either way the homes were exactly what my friend wanted to see. Today we are going to look at famous homes in the Los Angeles area.
Our drive on Mulholland yesterday was very special. We had rain and winds the last few days in LA and there was no smog covering the S.F. Valley. It was so clear you could see the entire valley side of the city. The city side was a little hazy, but not as smoggy as usual. After our hour long tour of Mulholland we headed down to the Sunset Strip, and went west until we hit the Sunset Plaza. I turned around and headed to E’s house for lunch.
Lunch was early yesterday, because we had dinner reservations at 7:30 pm. My visitor has never had the best Mexican food because of where he lives, so for lunch I have chosen a few Mexican places to eat. We picked up E, and walked to El Compadre. This is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. It’s across the street from the guitar center on Sunset. You cannot get more LA then this!
We all started with margaritas, and ate lunch. The boys proceeded to drink and talk, and eat. I did my fair share of eating, but I was driving so I only had my one cocktail. I wanted to drink more scratch that I really really wanted to drink more but I did not get to. The boys got along famously and would have been able to drink and talk the afternoon away. However, E had previous plans and we had more of the city to see. After three hours at lunch we headed west into west LA.
I drove around UCLA and Bel Air. Then back to the house to get ready for dinner. Dinner was good. Lawry’s was on the hit list while my friend is in town. Last night we consumed an enormous amount of food, and it was so good. I know many yogis do not eat meat, but I am not that kind of yogi. I am the type that takes two weeks of and eats way too much food. I digress.
Lawry’s is iconic in Los Angeles. The do serve fish, but you go there for the prime rib and Yorkshire pudding. I have to say I had 3 pieces of Yorkshire pudding and a California cut of meat. By the time we left the establishment I had to unbutton my jeans, because I was so uncomfortable from eating a heavy lunch, and then a heavy dinner. My visitor was in heaven, and enjoyed some of the meat I could not finish, and talked about the prime rib as if he wanted to take it home and make it his wife.
They age the meat, and cover it in their special seasoning then slow roast it. There is no better place to have a prime rib dinner in the city. Considering all they make is this one type of meat they better rock the recipe. Today is the beginning of the end of the food coma I have been in for the last three days. I don’t even know if I can look at food today. On another note I am beginning to feel guilty about not going to yoga once this week yet.
Yesterday, we started the day with a drive through Mulholland. The trip started in Encino and ended in West Hollywood. Off of Mulholland is a group of homes made in the 1960’s. They are mostly modern, and many have been given face lifts over the years. Some of these are nice looking homes and some look like the 80’s threw up all over them. Either way the homes were exactly what my friend wanted to see. Today we are going to look at famous homes in the Los Angeles area.
Our drive on Mulholland yesterday was very special. We had rain and winds the last few days in LA and there was no smog covering the S.F. Valley. It was so clear you could see the entire valley side of the city. The city side was a little hazy, but not as smoggy as usual. After our hour long tour of Mulholland we headed down to the Sunset Strip, and went west until we hit the Sunset Plaza. I turned around and headed to E’s house for lunch.
Lunch was early yesterday, because we had dinner reservations at 7:30 pm. My visitor has never had the best Mexican food because of where he lives, so for lunch I have chosen a few Mexican places to eat. We picked up E, and walked to El Compadre. This is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. It’s across the street from the guitar center on Sunset. You cannot get more LA then this!
We all started with margaritas, and ate lunch. The boys proceeded to drink and talk, and eat. I did my fair share of eating, but I was driving so I only had my one cocktail. I wanted to drink more scratch that I really really wanted to drink more but I did not get to. The boys got along famously and would have been able to drink and talk the afternoon away. However, E had previous plans and we had more of the city to see. After three hours at lunch we headed west into west LA.
I drove around UCLA and Bel Air. Then back to the house to get ready for dinner. Dinner was good. Lawry’s was on the hit list while my friend is in town. Last night we consumed an enormous amount of food, and it was so good. I know many yogis do not eat meat, but I am not that kind of yogi. I am the type that takes two weeks of and eats way too much food. I digress.
Lawry’s is iconic in Los Angeles. The do serve fish, but you go there for the prime rib and Yorkshire pudding. I have to say I had 3 pieces of Yorkshire pudding and a California cut of meat. By the time we left the establishment I had to unbutton my jeans, because I was so uncomfortable from eating a heavy lunch, and then a heavy dinner. My visitor was in heaven, and enjoyed some of the meat I could not finish, and talked about the prime rib as if he wanted to take it home and make it his wife.
They age the meat, and cover it in their special seasoning then slow roast it. There is no better place to have a prime rib dinner in the city. Considering all they make is this one type of meat they better rock the recipe. Today is the beginning of the end of the food coma I have been in for the last three days. I don’t even know if I can look at food today. On another note I am beginning to feel guilty about not going to yoga once this week yet.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Slacking continued.
Slacking continued.
It was an amazing fall day yesterday. The air was crisp, the sky was blue with fluffy clouds, and the wind was blowing. The last few days a have been so hot I was hoping it would finally cool down. Well it did and I took my out of town visitor on an adventure. We started with coffee and headed out to Malibu.
We got onto the freeway and took Kanan Dune road over to Malibu. The roads were deserted which is so rare anywhere in Los Angeles. It was my own little city yesterday; well it was until later when we ventured into Venice. We drove up the coast to my old summer stomping ground Zuma life guard station number 11. Got out, and wandered on the empty beach. The locals were out walking their dogs, and others running up and down the beach.
This particular beach is really crowded during the summer, and you are lucky to find a parking space. We had no problem. After taking some pictures and driving around Malibu we continued down the coast into Santa Monica, through Venice to our lunch destination Tito’s Tacos. I took it upon myself to order one of everything on the menu. I figured we would just get a taste of everything, but I did make sure to order three tacos with cheese, those were a must have.
Since I have not eaten that in a while it was like eating lead. The remainder of the day I was a little sick to my stomach. Not because the food was bad, but because it was so heavy. Tito’s Tacos is a fixture in this city, and it is a destination you must go to at least once a year. I have skipped this tradition and suffered for it. After lunch we continued into our driving tour of Culver City. Made a quick stop to see my little brother, and off to the Getty.
Well for those of you who don’t know, because I did not the Getty is closed on Monday. I was denied entry at the gate. It was so annoying. It would have been the perfect end to the perfect day. I will take my visitor another time. However there will be more adventures in slacking to come!
It was an amazing fall day yesterday. The air was crisp, the sky was blue with fluffy clouds, and the wind was blowing. The last few days a have been so hot I was hoping it would finally cool down. Well it did and I took my out of town visitor on an adventure. We started with coffee and headed out to Malibu.
We got onto the freeway and took Kanan Dune road over to Malibu. The roads were deserted which is so rare anywhere in Los Angeles. It was my own little city yesterday; well it was until later when we ventured into Venice. We drove up the coast to my old summer stomping ground Zuma life guard station number 11. Got out, and wandered on the empty beach. The locals were out walking their dogs, and others running up and down the beach.
This particular beach is really crowded during the summer, and you are lucky to find a parking space. We had no problem. After taking some pictures and driving around Malibu we continued down the coast into Santa Monica, through Venice to our lunch destination Tito’s Tacos. I took it upon myself to order one of everything on the menu. I figured we would just get a taste of everything, but I did make sure to order three tacos with cheese, those were a must have.
Since I have not eaten that in a while it was like eating lead. The remainder of the day I was a little sick to my stomach. Not because the food was bad, but because it was so heavy. Tito’s Tacos is a fixture in this city, and it is a destination you must go to at least once a year. I have skipped this tradition and suffered for it. After lunch we continued into our driving tour of Culver City. Made a quick stop to see my little brother, and off to the Getty.
Well for those of you who don’t know, because I did not the Getty is closed on Monday. I was denied entry at the gate. It was so annoying. It would have been the perfect end to the perfect day. I will take my visitor another time. However there will be more adventures in slacking to come!
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Art of Being a Slacker
The Art of Being a Slacker
I will not be going to a yoga class until Thursday of this week, and that will make a full 9 days of not going to a single yoga class. Yes! I am a total slacker. It feels good. Well not so good. I find that my body starts to act weird when I do not go to yoga class. I start to get aches and pains through my body.
I have no idea if this is common or not, but some of my joints start to hurt, and my muscled become sore. When I start back up I do get deeper into my practice, so it’s worth the wait. Any ways, the last few weeks have been filled with homework, and friendly fun. On Sunday I was at the UCLA game.
My friend and I did the game proper. We went around 1pm and tailgated until 4pm, went into the stadium and were lucky enough to sit in the press box. It was so amazing. One of the best games, and best days I have had in a long time. I drank in the Alumni tent for 3 hours, stuffed my face, and drank some more. All of this instead of yoga… ummm yes please can I have another? Tailgating before a football game is so much fun.
Everyone is making food, making fun of other teams, and offering everyone food. Strangers and friends alike are all treated the same. Its like Disneyland for adults. Now I love me some tailgate! Game day’s are so fun. I love being with my friends, and just enjoying myself. I did not go to any games last year, so this game made up for it. I am glad I was not hung over, because the next day I was in charge of a Mitzvah day.
On Sunday I woke up and headed to the (Operation Gratitude), Armory for some sorting and packing for our solders overseas. Every year all the temples in the city take part in Mitzvah day. We all give back and work for a charity. Well not everyone, but most people take one day out of the year to do some charity work. I organize this day with the Temple I belong to. About 15 of us showed up on time and spent 3 hours giving to people who defend our way of life. I am grateful that I have the freedom I have in this country.
After giving back I had to eat, so once again I stuffed my face at Brent’s deli in Northridge. It was the best. Then later that night a family dinner with more drinking commenced. This was the best weekend, and the remainder of the week I have a visitor in town, so this will be the best week ever. I cannot wait for more fun.
I will not be going to a yoga class until Thursday of this week, and that will make a full 9 days of not going to a single yoga class. Yes! I am a total slacker. It feels good. Well not so good. I find that my body starts to act weird when I do not go to yoga class. I start to get aches and pains through my body.
I have no idea if this is common or not, but some of my joints start to hurt, and my muscled become sore. When I start back up I do get deeper into my practice, so it’s worth the wait. Any ways, the last few weeks have been filled with homework, and friendly fun. On Sunday I was at the UCLA game.
My friend and I did the game proper. We went around 1pm and tailgated until 4pm, went into the stadium and were lucky enough to sit in the press box. It was so amazing. One of the best games, and best days I have had in a long time. I drank in the Alumni tent for 3 hours, stuffed my face, and drank some more. All of this instead of yoga… ummm yes please can I have another? Tailgating before a football game is so much fun.
Everyone is making food, making fun of other teams, and offering everyone food. Strangers and friends alike are all treated the same. Its like Disneyland for adults. Now I love me some tailgate! Game day’s are so fun. I love being with my friends, and just enjoying myself. I did not go to any games last year, so this game made up for it. I am glad I was not hung over, because the next day I was in charge of a Mitzvah day.
On Sunday I woke up and headed to the (Operation Gratitude), Armory for some sorting and packing for our solders overseas. Every year all the temples in the city take part in Mitzvah day. We all give back and work for a charity. Well not everyone, but most people take one day out of the year to do some charity work. I organize this day with the Temple I belong to. About 15 of us showed up on time and spent 3 hours giving to people who defend our way of life. I am grateful that I have the freedom I have in this country.
After giving back I had to eat, so once again I stuffed my face at Brent’s deli in Northridge. It was the best. Then later that night a family dinner with more drinking commenced. This was the best weekend, and the remainder of the week I have a visitor in town, so this will be the best week ever. I cannot wait for more fun.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Just 3 more
The last few days…
I only have 3 more apprenticing classes to go, and its bitter sweet. I really enjoy the teachers I work with, and its nice to be able to really see everyone in the room, and be able to help everyone get into postures without thinking about what comes next. One teacher I apprentice with is an Iyengar teacher, and the other teaches level 1 yoga. The level one teacher also teaches anatomy, so I get the structure from Iyengar and the anatomy from the level one class. I am sure it will influence my instruction.
Working with these teachers has already taught me to be very aware of other people’s bodies. Apprenticing for a total of 24 weeks is a lot of work, but it is really fun most of the time. In two weeks I get to teach three poses in the level one class. I was supposed to do that this week, but I was under the weather. It was unfortunate, but I will be really excited about it next time I am in the studio with that class.
Today was one of the last classes that I will apprentice in. There are many familiar faces. I find it easier to adjust people I see on a regular basis, because I know their stories, their bodies, and most of their injuries. When students repeat classes you know when to push them, or when not to push them. You know limitations of the bones, and muscles. Each person moves a certain way, walks heavier on one foot, and leans onto one leg. As a yoga teacher you pick up on these traits and know how to help fix posture, or weight distribution in the feet.
Everything starts in the feet, and then the hamstrings. It is weird what I notice in a yoga room now that I have so much knowledge about the human body. When a student is in downward facing dog I can even tell if a hamstring is tight, if someone has had knee surgery, or just plain tired from the day. The best part is knowing for that hour the students are in the studio to strengthen their bodies to make themselves feel better, or just because they like yoga.
My teaching style in general will be influenced by this yoga studio. My only concern is if I will be able to be an effective basic yoga teacher. I am much more comfortable teaching harder flow classes. Beginning yoga is information heavy while flow is movement heavy, and movement makes me happy. We will see where the rabbit hole leads.
I do believe I will be starting a job soon, but I don’t want to spill the beans before it happens. I should know soon…….
I only have 3 more apprenticing classes to go, and its bitter sweet. I really enjoy the teachers I work with, and its nice to be able to really see everyone in the room, and be able to help everyone get into postures without thinking about what comes next. One teacher I apprentice with is an Iyengar teacher, and the other teaches level 1 yoga. The level one teacher also teaches anatomy, so I get the structure from Iyengar and the anatomy from the level one class. I am sure it will influence my instruction.
Working with these teachers has already taught me to be very aware of other people’s bodies. Apprenticing for a total of 24 weeks is a lot of work, but it is really fun most of the time. In two weeks I get to teach three poses in the level one class. I was supposed to do that this week, but I was under the weather. It was unfortunate, but I will be really excited about it next time I am in the studio with that class.
Today was one of the last classes that I will apprentice in. There are many familiar faces. I find it easier to adjust people I see on a regular basis, because I know their stories, their bodies, and most of their injuries. When students repeat classes you know when to push them, or when not to push them. You know limitations of the bones, and muscles. Each person moves a certain way, walks heavier on one foot, and leans onto one leg. As a yoga teacher you pick up on these traits and know how to help fix posture, or weight distribution in the feet.
Everything starts in the feet, and then the hamstrings. It is weird what I notice in a yoga room now that I have so much knowledge about the human body. When a student is in downward facing dog I can even tell if a hamstring is tight, if someone has had knee surgery, or just plain tired from the day. The best part is knowing for that hour the students are in the studio to strengthen their bodies to make themselves feel better, or just because they like yoga.
My teaching style in general will be influenced by this yoga studio. My only concern is if I will be able to be an effective basic yoga teacher. I am much more comfortable teaching harder flow classes. Beginning yoga is information heavy while flow is movement heavy, and movement makes me happy. We will see where the rabbit hole leads.
I do believe I will be starting a job soon, but I don’t want to spill the beans before it happens. I should know soon…….
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
An asshole and a yogi.
An asshole and a yogi.
This story came up recently and I thought it would be really funny to share. When I was six or seven I was a sweet child. I had friends on my street that I would play with all the time. Chantal was a friend I played with a lot. However; at times she would tell me that she was better than me because she just was, and she would tell me how I was allowed to behave at her house. There were rules about what dolls I was allowed to touch, and how I was allowed to play with her dolls. If I did not play by her rules then she would say well you aren’t allowed to be my friend any more.
One day I decided I had enough of her rules, and told her she couldn’t be my friend any more if those were her terms for our friendship. Her father Terry over heard me and called me into his bathroom. He told me I was not allowed to talk like that to his daughter. However, he said nothing to her about her comments to me. So I told him he was a fucking asshole. A word I learned while I was in the car with my mom.
My parents always drove passed him and would say there goes the fucking asshole. This happened many times, so as a child I was conditioned to associate Terry with that term. Back at Terry’s house he took me by the hand and brought me home. He told my mom what I called him, and told her I should be punished. Terry punished by hitting his daughter, so I was afraid my mom was going to hit me. My mom closed the door and waited a second until he left, and then started to laugh, and told me I was right he is a ……
As a child I was relieved. However, I did learn that Terry thought his daughter was allowed to talk to me any way she wanted, but I was not allowed to communicate my feelings to her. Instead of addressing this to Chantal I took it upon myself to get back at her and her dad. The next time I went over to her house I snuck out of her room and into her parent’s room. I took down my pants, and sat on Chantal’s parent’s bed and went to the bathroom. Just number 1, I knew number 2 would be really horrible.
My revenge worked. Chantal was punished with a spanking, and got grounded. Terry had to purchase a new comforter, or clean up the mess all by himself. I think she was grounded for a long time because I don’t remember seeing her for a while after that. To this day the six year old inside me thinks they both deserved it. Today that six year old still lives inside of me just waiting to get out to cause trouble. My yoganess has kept her at bay, but you never know when I might let her out.
This story came up recently and I thought it would be really funny to share. When I was six or seven I was a sweet child. I had friends on my street that I would play with all the time. Chantal was a friend I played with a lot. However; at times she would tell me that she was better than me because she just was, and she would tell me how I was allowed to behave at her house. There were rules about what dolls I was allowed to touch, and how I was allowed to play with her dolls. If I did not play by her rules then she would say well you aren’t allowed to be my friend any more.
One day I decided I had enough of her rules, and told her she couldn’t be my friend any more if those were her terms for our friendship. Her father Terry over heard me and called me into his bathroom. He told me I was not allowed to talk like that to his daughter. However, he said nothing to her about her comments to me. So I told him he was a fucking asshole. A word I learned while I was in the car with my mom.
My parents always drove passed him and would say there goes the fucking asshole. This happened many times, so as a child I was conditioned to associate Terry with that term. Back at Terry’s house he took me by the hand and brought me home. He told my mom what I called him, and told her I should be punished. Terry punished by hitting his daughter, so I was afraid my mom was going to hit me. My mom closed the door and waited a second until he left, and then started to laugh, and told me I was right he is a ……
As a child I was relieved. However, I did learn that Terry thought his daughter was allowed to talk to me any way she wanted, but I was not allowed to communicate my feelings to her. Instead of addressing this to Chantal I took it upon myself to get back at her and her dad. The next time I went over to her house I snuck out of her room and into her parent’s room. I took down my pants, and sat on Chantal’s parent’s bed and went to the bathroom. Just number 1, I knew number 2 would be really horrible.
My revenge worked. Chantal was punished with a spanking, and got grounded. Terry had to purchase a new comforter, or clean up the mess all by himself. I think she was grounded for a long time because I don’t remember seeing her for a while after that. To this day the six year old inside me thinks they both deserved it. Today that six year old still lives inside of me just waiting to get out to cause trouble. My yoganess has kept her at bay, but you never know when I might let her out.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Workshop #2
Workshop #2
Since I learned my lesson the day before on Sunday I did not attend my regular yoga class. I just went to the tantra &chakra workshop, where I had a two hour practice. The day before I believe I did about four hours of yoga, and boy did I make up for it at dinner that night! Sunday I was sore but I made a decision to power through the class, and do what I could.
The workshop started the same way it did the day before. We had a lecture, and then we practiced. I have to say the metaphysical practice of yoga is really interesting, because of the ancient ideas about the power of energy and sound. There are seven chakras in the human body, and they are stacked on top of each other from the bottom of the torso to the top of the head. This is a very basic description. There is much more depth to it, but that would be a very long blog.
The chakras are areas in the body that human beings hold energy in. When people hold this energy and not let it flow freely throughout body they can become sick, angry, fatigued, depressed, and sometimes disconnected. Each chakra also has a mantra or chant that goes along with it. Now as breath and chanting are engaged the chakra you are working on becomes awakened. Yes, this sounds weird, but it is how this type of practice works. In yoga class you can always hear that one person that makes noise while they are breathing. It’s like they are fogging up a window with the moisture from their breath.
Well it’s kinda like that, but when we breathed in we sent the breath to specific places in our bodies, and sent our exhales to different places in our bodies. So Saturday’s class was closely related to Sunday’s class. Except we used the breath work we originally learned on Saturday to awaken different chakras in our bodies. It was cool. I think I did like the Saturday class better, but Sunday’s class the lecture was more interesting. Just because of the ideas about energy that were discussed.
Sound and energy awaken different things in our minds, and bodies on a subconscious level. If you are depresses and see someone smiling, you will feel a bit lighter, and possibly even start to smile as well. If you are depressed you can also create more around you to keep yourself depressed. The chakras represent these ideas. Most of the time people have no idea what they are creating around themselves.
The sounds we hear or create, (music, and chanting) in our bodies can loosen up the energy that is closed off , and allow life-force to be fluid in our bodies. This may be a bit to metaphysical for many people, but I will get more into my understandings of western and eastern metaphysics later. I am after all a philosophy major, so it is just a bit natural for me to gravitate towards the philosophical side of my yoga practice.
Since I learned my lesson the day before on Sunday I did not attend my regular yoga class. I just went to the tantra &chakra workshop, where I had a two hour practice. The day before I believe I did about four hours of yoga, and boy did I make up for it at dinner that night! Sunday I was sore but I made a decision to power through the class, and do what I could.
The workshop started the same way it did the day before. We had a lecture, and then we practiced. I have to say the metaphysical practice of yoga is really interesting, because of the ancient ideas about the power of energy and sound. There are seven chakras in the human body, and they are stacked on top of each other from the bottom of the torso to the top of the head. This is a very basic description. There is much more depth to it, but that would be a very long blog.
The chakras are areas in the body that human beings hold energy in. When people hold this energy and not let it flow freely throughout body they can become sick, angry, fatigued, depressed, and sometimes disconnected. Each chakra also has a mantra or chant that goes along with it. Now as breath and chanting are engaged the chakra you are working on becomes awakened. Yes, this sounds weird, but it is how this type of practice works. In yoga class you can always hear that one person that makes noise while they are breathing. It’s like they are fogging up a window with the moisture from their breath.
Well it’s kinda like that, but when we breathed in we sent the breath to specific places in our bodies, and sent our exhales to different places in our bodies. So Saturday’s class was closely related to Sunday’s class. Except we used the breath work we originally learned on Saturday to awaken different chakras in our bodies. It was cool. I think I did like the Saturday class better, but Sunday’s class the lecture was more interesting. Just because of the ideas about energy that were discussed.
Sound and energy awaken different things in our minds, and bodies on a subconscious level. If you are depresses and see someone smiling, you will feel a bit lighter, and possibly even start to smile as well. If you are depressed you can also create more around you to keep yourself depressed. The chakras represent these ideas. Most of the time people have no idea what they are creating around themselves.
The sounds we hear or create, (music, and chanting) in our bodies can loosen up the energy that is closed off , and allow life-force to be fluid in our bodies. This may be a bit to metaphysical for many people, but I will get more into my understandings of western and eastern metaphysics later. I am after all a philosophy major, so it is just a bit natural for me to gravitate towards the philosophical side of my yoga practice.
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