MYSORE. the yoga and the india.

Mysore-style yoga is the traditional form of Ashtanga yoga. You learn one pose at a time of a pre-scripted sequence at the instructors discretion. Think of it as a sandwich: first come the sun salutations (A&B), then the standing postures, then which ever series you are working on (there are six, in practice), and finish up with the finishing postures. The poses are connected with the ujjayi breath and vinyasas.

I have been addicted to this specific form of Ashtanga since I was forced into a class at the yoga shack in Reno, NV and found it so incredibly frustrating/challenging/ridiculous that my Type-A personality SCREAMED at me. Naturally, I went back for more.

Almost 1.5 years later, I have created a personal connection with my practice so deep, I crave my 6/7 (ish...) days of asana practice/personal growth.

My primary series is a big bear hug of comfort and meditation (which still challenging with room to grow) on moondays, Fridays, and days of physical/mental heaviness. My second series has finally been sketched out and is gathering shadings with every practice. I patiently anticipate third series in the coming future. It's beautiful, really.

This past week I returned from a month long adventure in Mysore, India, where I learned more about myself, life, humanity, spirituality, ETC than I could have ever imagined. I met incredible people and experienced life changing events...I look forward to returning again soon.

I'm going to spend the next few blogs reflecting and recounting my time there, more for my own benefit than any one else's. The places I saw, the places I need to remember to return...you know. All of that fun stuff ;) Hopefully you will get to travel to Mysore too, and perhaps use some of my memories as a guide line for making your own....

busy busy little ants, we are

I am really bad about updating...

So, I'm in New York. Nice cold windy wet New York. I found an apt, like my roommates, found a yoga studio to practice work-study, and have started classes. I purchased myself a bed for my birthday, sent my resume to 1.6 billion people, tried to call people, and realized that I need an iPhone. I've gone grocery shopping a few times, out a few times, and driven a Uhaul through the streets of New York city.

I haven't even been here for 3 weeks!

I added a few Mysore poses today but definitely overstretched my shoulders...it certainly doesn't help that I threw myself back into walking 5+miles a day with 30 pound purses.... Whoops.

I guess that's why God made man to make heat packs :)

Unemployment in the desert.

So I have been in the desert for almost two weeks--I did take a weekend trip up to the marshlands of Oregon, but other than that, it's been RenoRenoReno!

I am also unemployed. Of course, the job market in Reno is a disaster and no one really needs to be paying another person.

I spend my days bike riding, reading, sipping coffee through a straw, google-ing, blogging, and yoga-ing. All in all, I haven't had this much downtime in over nine months. I also haven't felt this happy in quite awhile. I am spending a lot of time on myself, making choices to make ME happy, and altogether being selfish. Which is quite alright.

I kickstarted my Mysore practice--amongst the bruises and frustration, it's incredibly educational. I am learning self discipline, patience, and breathing--concepts, right? Let's just say that arnica is currently my best friend.

With a charity football game coming up in July, I've been practicing a little bit with Sara and Emily...at least we are learning to catch and throw the football...much harder than it looks!

Gas prices are about $4.15 a gallon and climbing. Being unemployed and all, I can't really afford gas...so I'm biking! It's a good thing, promise.

I will be working with a mechanic a few times a week this summer to learn how to fix cars...anything to get me into MSF!!! I just want to go into the field NOW! Why does age, education, and experience have to weigh me down?

On another note, I researched the adoption policies for China. While I can't adopt a child as a single parent, I don't have to be 35 (phew!)--they changed it to 30-55. This has brightened my spirits immensely. While I do have to concede to marriage, I am no longer pressured to be married by the age of 30. YES!

There is really not too much going on in my life at this moment in time. I haven't been this lazy or bumlike in quite awhile, and I'm soaking it up as much as I can while it lasts. It will get old fast, but my day planner only has ONE thing per day versus 7. :)

...enjoy the sun.