Two more Yoga videos...

This was the Sunday morning class with Shiva Rea.  I loved all the music she played and would love to know what it is if any of you know!





And, remember I mentioned an accident?  Well, someone else caught it on video.  Hope the officer is on the mend.

All-you-can-eat Yoga

What a fun and exhausting weekend we....er, I....had.  While Rick was busy taking a mock CFA test and studying, I was indulging in many hours of yoga.  Saturday, Yoga on the Mall.  Hundreds of people came out for free yoga in front of the Washington Monument with Shiva Rea, who is a legendary yogini and considered one of the leading pioneers of yoga for our generation.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and perfect day to spend outside listening to music, getting a yoga fix, and then breaking out into a somewhat uncomfortable yet ultimately fun dance session.  As I said to my friend Elly as we were jumping around with lots of strangers, "if only my Mom could see me now...."  I'm not quite sure what Elmira would have to say about that, but I'm pretty sure George Washington would be pleased to see so many people celebrating freedom in front of his memorial.  I've included a few pics (and a video) below.

Sunday, the fun and dancing continued at a yoga workshop with Shiva and a hundred or so other yogis.  Fun and relaxing, and a perfect way to start a Sunday.  It's always inspiring to be in the presence of an expert of any sort, and being with Shiva was just that.  She's a vibrant and passionate teacher, and her energy is infectious. 

Hoping I can take some of that momentum with me as I head into another week!

Shiva and DC teachers on the stage:

And the dancing begins...

Yoga live in motion:



Also, PS....while all the yogas were getting their Om on, a group of policemen on horses paraded by the monument, all in honor of National Police Week.  Well, something went horribly wrong, because suddenly a herd of ambulances and police cars came whizzing on the scene, ushering onlookers aside because.....a helicopter was about to land....approx 50 yards from the yogis.  It was a bit paradoxical, but hopefully we sent some zen and healing vibes to the injured officer.  You can see the ambulances (aka "ambalamps") in the backround below.

If you can't say something nice....

...then don't say anything.  My mom has been telling me this forever, and I think there is some truth to this.

This weekend, along with 174 other people, I attended a yoga class in a monastery taught by the founders of Jivamukti Yoga.  I had never practiced this style of yoga, but in a nutshell, the whole message is just to be nice.  Think nice things, do nice things, and treat every person and every being you encounter with kindness. The ways we think and behave make physical impressions on our "inner selves", so thinking mean or petty thoughts can truly damage us.  We, as people, are a manifestation of all of our thoughts and actions (called karma), and as such, we become ugly people if we let ourselves be ruled by negativity. ...so why bother, especially if it's going to hurt?  Forgive people if they've hurt you, and most importantly, do not view anything as exploitable.  Simply put, be nice. 

While it did verge on being a little too spiritual and preachy for me, especially when they said we shouldn't eat animal products because "that's not treating the animals with compassion", I am trying to block out all those stupid, worthless thoughts that cross my mind. (For example, instead of thinking "eww, I am utterly disgusted, annoyed, and bothered by {unnamed subject's} grunting and burping right next to me", I instead try to think, "I'm just so happy to finally have a job"....yeah, I've got some work to do.)

Anyway, I had fun and pushed myself.  I did this twice for 5 minutes each time....woo hoo!

 [image from here]

In the spirit of forgiveness, we did this pose 5 times, each for at least 12 breaths, and on the last two, we were supposed to repeat in our heads the name of someone who has hurt us in the past....

[image from here]

Here are some of the poses I hope to accomplish in my practice, and some other just motivating or inspirational pics. 

Um......wow.  This one is for all my mom and pregnant friends.

[images from here, here, here, here, here and here]
  

Ommmmmm........

Yoga & Movies

{wedding day yoga on the beach - how perfect!!}

So Rick goes to NYC for 4 days for work, and what do I do? Yoga and sad movies. And, discover new amazing grocery stores in Alexandria (Shoppers on Old Jefferson Davis Hwy has a HUGE selection of Mexican food products, perfect for my gringo Husband).

Anyway, Rick has been gone for a few days, and it's a bit quiet around here. I signed up for a full month of all-you-can-eat yoga for $50 here: Tranquil Space. I've been on the lookout for the perfect yoga studio, and this one is almost there. A little too girly-frou-frou for me (lots of pink, black/white damask pillows, and silly looking font), but I do like the style of yoga they practice. It reminds me of my favorite place in Seattle...Yogalife, I miss you. Would love suggestions of favorite DC studios if you have any.

I also watched two movies yesterday, both of which were almost as fun as pulling out each of my toenails. One. At. A. Time. Up in the Air and Revolutionary Road, all in one day, don't ask me why. Both films deal with human relationships and love, or lack thereof, and each has an incredibly depressing ending. I enjoyed them both as I tend to like looking at relationships from the inside out, and both of these allow you to do that....you become fully invested in each character, and your heart breaks right with theirs. Caution: you will feel icky after watching.

Very excited to have Rick coming home tonight. I'm making a tuna casserole, butternut squash soup, banana pudding for dessert at a friend's house tomorrow night, and then turkey tacos. This should last us through the snowy weekend. Yumsky.