Running

When I am in an uncomfortable situation, I mostly diffuse or confront. Either way, it makes me feel shitty in the end because I came on too strong or I return to the stereotypical submissive asian woman thing. Then I start running towards something else like it's a way out of this uncomfortable-ness. I run towards yoga to make me feel better. Thinking about yoga and how it makes me feel after a class tranquilizes me even though I haven't been to a class since John Friend's 'retreat' in May 2011. I was feeling violent after spending four days at Hotel Wailea but that's a story for another time.

My point is I don't want to run to yoga to avoid conflict or to alleviate the stress temporarily. Those are the wrong reasons. I believe it should come from the core, not some instant-gratification-one-night-stand moment.

History Part 1

Why did I branch out to another blog? I wanted to document whether it be a short or long-term blog on my yoga interest. I think about yoga everyday. Constant thoughts: I want to do more or go to classes more often. Go to classes. Period. Ok, let's back up and let me give you a little history.

I started out with a random yoga class here and there. I read about the benefits of yoga and especially with my manual labor job, I desperately needed it. I started out at my local gym, only to find out that the instructor was teaching out of Yoga Journal magazine. Clearly I know how to read. I opted out of her class immediately. My next trip was to a local yoga studio. There was a safe, calming, and magazine-less environment. After taking several Yoga Basics which was informative, important for keeping it safe and challenging, to understand my body. I wasn't into the spiritual aspect of the practice. My sole purpose up to this point was for the physical benefits. Yoga has helped me be more aware of my body. I noticed that my breathing was more even and my stance taller.

Enter my friend, Cheri. She was one of my Cambridge roomates. We went our separate ways after she moved out and I moved out of Massachusetts. We found each other on Facebook and in Hawaii. We discovered that we both did yoga (she was an Instructor already). In furthering conversations and knowing me, she recommended Ansuara Yoga. Her friend Katherine was an instructor on Maui. Incidentally, she was one of my yoga instructors at the studio I frequent. I've remembered taking her Gentle Yoga class and enjoying the slow pace. My Basic Yoga class sometimes leaves me sore for five days.