Baby steps.

I do a little yoga everyday even if they are all hip openers exercises. If my hips are open, my shoulders open, then everything is gravy. I can do a lot more if my mind and body are open. I know that for a fact!! I always thought I would do my home practice in the wee hours of the morning yet my pattern suggests otherwise. It's right before dinner that I inspire to practice.

I'm also bringing my mind to my breathe. It does help when I'm reading Breathology, a book I acquired at DEMA, a scuba dive show. It's all about the breathe, how and why it is important in every aspects in life, not just the obvious. Having a good start in the morning meaning mediating is crucial to my calm state of mind.

This has coupled well. I'm flowing. Today will be the test. I haven't conquered the mind yet but that will just come with time. We like that. Baby steps.

Inspired.

Going out to Paia to meet with fellow yoginis on the beach has been my highlight of the week. I was actually excited to see friends outside of my town. It's almost a different way of life over on that side. I smile. It's inspiring.

It's a get together without competition or expectations. Rather, it's a communion of love, curiosity, and joy. I need to get out there more. We met at the Anusara Immersion class even though I only finished half of a 3-part series. Martine and I instantly clicked on the first day. She just moved here from Maryland and I didn't know anybody in the immersion. I remember what one of our teachers Sundari said in the beginning of class: that the friendships/bond we form here are lasting. True. They are great people and I foresee our friendship growing as our practice evolves.

This joyous feeling might be an indication that I need to be in that environment a bit more. My hesitation? The drive. The gas money. Once I get my raise, then maybe. I have been pretty good about taking the bus to work when I can. Two bucks for a 55-mile roundtrip day. I call that a bargain. I'm looking into bus options to the yoga studio. It looks like it will potentially dismally kill my day. I'll give it a go one of these days. Stay tuned!

I'm drawn to...

Anusara Yoga. It is what I seek if I am looking for a yoga class. The only other yoga class that even comes close to grabbing my attention is Restorative Yoga. Strange right? I don't know what is drawing me in. I can tell you what I like about Anusara though. It is the simplicity of its theory: there are five universal principles of alignment which are applied to EVERY asana. I follow this principle each and every time and I am not hurt. My fear of being physically hurt limits my exploration of the practice. I practice the same asana daily. And like I mentioned, I'm good at what I do, basic hip-openers, and prana with. My body and mind are content after my home practice. I'm standing taller and my breath is steadier.