I got up at the arse crack on dawn on Saturday to head down to VA Beach for my yoga teacher training session. The session started at 10:30 so I had to be out the door by 8:15 in case of something odd with traffic. I was so nervous about this session because we were going to focus on raja, twists and inversions. The only inversion that I am totally comfortable with is sarvangasana (shoulder stand) so I was nervous about sirsasana (headstand) since it is the primary inversion of anusara yoga.

We started the class with the standard raja warm up which includes lots of arm swinging and jumping and then worked our way into twists. I was pretty comfortable during the twists because I can do most of them though marichyasana is a big challenge because I am still pretty new to binding and my size makes binding a little harder. The good news is that props are always available so that anyone can do most any pose with the right modifications. We moved onto inversions and I was relieved when the teacher told me that she knew that I was new to many of the things we would be working on. She gave me some “homework” to help me learn sirsasana. I felt a little uncomfortable to just be sitting and watching through it but felt much better when we moved onto sarvangasana. I was even able to do supta konasa once I focused on engaging my legs.

After the training was over, I was really tired. I felt spent mentally, physically and emotionally. All I wanted was food and rest. When I got home, I prepared a dinner that indulged a very primal craving I had been feeling for a few days.  An organic cheeseburger served over lettuce

with roasted broccoli

and a little ketchup for dipping.

After dinner, the dear husband passed out Halloween candy to all the neighborhood kiddies while I took a long, hot epson salt bath. I woke up yesterday sore from head to toe, as expected. I needed some major down time so we basically just hung around the house most of the day. I did do some studying and mostly nibbled for eats but did conger up the energy to make a scrambled egg and spinach gluten free wrap.

In the evening, I studied Light on Yoga for my Sanskrit test that is coming up on the 14th. I also chatted with my dear friend about our upcoming trip to Dallas for a Baron Baptiste workshop.  We are both totally excited for it; I expect that it will be a true personal revolution. Baron is pretty hard core and his philosophy is truly beautiful. He is all about awakening your own personal power and living as your true authentic self. I am actually hoping to take his teacher training course in a couple of years. I thought about taking his course before taking my yoga alliance certification but decided that I don’t want to be limited in the style that I teach, especially when I am first starting out. Anywho, stay tuned because I am sure that weekend is going to be a blast.

Today, I have work, of course and then tonight I am taking two yoga classes. My schedule this week is pretty hectic so I need to get in two of my three required classes in one day. Needless to say, I may have trouble walking tomorrow. :)

~~~~~~~~~

Arlene Bjork

I want to express my condolences to the family, friends and students of Arlene Bjork. She passed away this weekend and the whole community is saddened. Many of my yoga teachers trained under her and her spirit really shines through in them. Though I never practiced with her, I did some of her podcasts and have practiced with a number of her trainees and feel honored to have at least been touched by her in this way. Peace, joy, love and light to you, Arlene.

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