Archive for December, 2009

 

365 classes in the bag, but..

December 31, 2009 at 4:00 pm in Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

While brushing my teeth tonight, I realized that today marked my 365th class for the year!

One class a day since 02 Jan 2009, with a double class in Switzerland and Sweden. Of course my challenge is “12 Months, 12 Countries, a 30 Day Challenge in each” so technically I finish on the 01 Jan 2010.. only 2 classes to go here at BYBA!

I should be over the moon, well over all the poses actually, but something very strange has happened to my yoga practice. I guess it started at Bikram Yoga Viña del Mar, Chile (month 11) but not quite comprehending or believing, I kept quiet, fearful I would jinx myself.

So, what happened?  As you know, there are so many things to focus on, explore and ultimately, master in your practice, for example: an even and quiet breath, unwavering drishti, and relaxed mind, that to control any one of them, is no small miracle! After the first month and each consecutive 30 Day Challenge, it seemed the harder I pushed, the more strained I became. The deeper I breathed, the louder it got. The more I tried to focus, my vision wavered.

But every month I had new teachers (guides), differing studios (energy centres) and met with more and more yogis (collective conscious) - each imparting little morsels of information. Some helped me a little and others basically slapped me in the face - for which I cant thank enough.

Then at Bikram Yoga Commercial Drive Vancouver, Canada (month 9), a teacher told me, “the more I feel the pain, the more I laugh”. Of course I laughed at the absurdity but never forgot this gem and over the coming months put it to practice - I felt the pain.. and I smiled a lot! Slowly, very slowly, all the pieces started coming together and I relaxed more and more into my practice.

And after all this time.. I’m finally starting to get what this yoga “trip” is all about.

 

Comfortably Numb

December 26, 2009 at 4:57 pm in On The Street | Please subscribe!

When you’re in a place, a kind of robotic, mental head space as I’ve been in the past week (since the robbery), it often takes something just as unexpected to snap you out of it and Tuesday 22nd was a little strange indeed.

The day started with Pablo, a fellow yogi, treating us to a quick walking tour of BA before inviting us to lunch. It was as if I’d just landed; seeing Buenos Aires with fresh eyes and I found myself looking up and around again, instead of in. Before I could fully comprehend the change of play, we left Pablo to his schedule, leapt aboard a bus and careening towards San Telmo and the person who was about to make the final cut.

I’d received an email the day before from a fellow Aussie traveler, Ben Boyle who’d been on walkabout in South America for the past 8 months. Although I didn’t know Ben, Renae Marsh, director/teacher Bikram Yoga Caloundra (just down the road from my home studio) had mentioned to him that our paths were sure to cross.

Ben was the first Aussie I’d seen since Vancouver, more Oz than the crocodile hunter, and sporting an accent to make all Australian’s proud! We entertained ourselves, chatting about our differing experiences on the road - I was jealous of him for the freedom to explore the length and breadth of a country, and he was jealous of me for the experience of travel with a daily yoga practice. It was too easy, exposing circumstance, laughing about how the universe provides and uncovering those little messages lying in wait. Two hours flashed by before Ben dropped a $100 Peso note on the table and vanished toward his next stop.

Then slowly, quietly, came the uneasiness - something just didn’t feel right, I was spooked. I looked around, not remembering where I was in the city - nothing seemed familiar: the cobblestones, the air, the people… and then I realised: I was traveling again - the uncertainty, the excitement, the unknown.. were my friends again.


 

Perpetually in Rabbit Pose

December 20, 2009 at 4:40 am in On The Street | Please subscribe!

Despite the frustration of dealing with the unfortunate  and unsavory events of the past week - robbery, police reports, embassy bureaucracy, access to cash, replacing passport, credit card, bankcard and drivers license while having to stomach the loss of some very very sentimental stored memories on my mac, life goes on..

Through this ordeal we’ve received some great support, and when looking back, actually had a great week. Carla has been amazing and I cannot thank her enough for her help. Arriving home at 23:15 and finding ourselves in a ransacked apartment, unable to successfully communicate with either the local police, or the Argentinian equivalent of 000 or 911, we were in a tight spot. Within 45 mins of calling Carla, the police had arrived, checked our apartment and we were sitting in the station waiting to make a statement with Carla at our side.

Since our apartment had been accessed with keys (can you believe it?) we didn’t feel that safe returning so Carla insisted we stay at her place and after completing the police report we finally climbed into bed at 4am. The next day we found 4 out of 7 apartments had been burgled. What’s hard to believe is our apartment is directly opposite the front gate to a military base (remember the brass band wake up calls every morning?) and the 24/7 guard apparently didn’t see multiple flat screen TV’s, microwaves, luggage etc walking out the front door!

The following afternoon, as we walked to 17:00 Bikram class at BYBA, the sun popped from the clouds, beaming down on the lovely green park opposite the studio. I smile danced across my face  - we were safe and about to get our asses kicked again.. how could I not be happy?!

After a tough class it was time to unwind with Pisco Sour, champagne and great company: Carla, Danni, Tracey and Juan Pablo.. complete with the necessary Bikram party posing . Two days later we were in another apartment, saw an underground theatre performance (just happening to find ourselves sitting right beside Veronika’s future colleagues from Sweden), went to Tango lessons and a birthday Milonga with Ed, dinner at Tracey and Juan Pablo’s and more hot, humid and very challenging Bikram classes.

Jay arrived home and lent us his laptop for a few days so we could skype home, complete paperwork and get our identities back. We feel very lucky actually and I’d like to say a huge thank you to my Mum & Dad who have been wonderful helping me get all the necessary paperwork completed at home.

Finally, thanks for all the supporting comments on facebook.. after feeling perpetually in Rabbit Pose, we’re getting back on track!
:)


 

Robbed.. of everything!

December 17, 2009 at 7:45 am in On The Street | Please subscribe!

Yeah, nasty story - an inside job, they even had keys to our apartment!

So yes, all our stuff  was stolen late evening on 11 Dec. The dirty dogs left us a few clothes and that’s about it, they even took our shoes.. haha (sad, bitter laugh, but getting happier as the days go by). It’s a little tough to stomach as my whole years worth of photos, stories and video of my journey have gone along with my mac, back-up hard drives etc. The safe was ripped from the wall so all our documents, passports, credit cards and cash were also taken.

We’re still dealing with the Argentinian Police, embassy etc but will be back on track, and posting soon.


 

The Movement to Make Bikram Yoga Carbon Neutral

December 8, 2009 at 1:32 am in On The Street, Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

I recently joined this facebook group and thought some of you would like to check it out:

The Movement to Make Bikram Yoga Carbon Neutral

A group of Bikram Yogis and Teachers, and Especially Studio Owners who are DEDICATED to doing all in our power to make EVERY Bikram Yoga studio on Earth Carbon Neutral through energy efficient heat, lighting, hot water heaters and other appliances and most of all SOLAR PANELS. Love the Yoga, Love the Planet…

I’ve always felt a little guilty about how much energy our studios consume so it’s inspiring to see some like minded yogis getting together to raise concerns, chat about the issues and make a difference.

For us yogis, we can all start by making a environmental choice with our water bottle and mat.