H.E.A.L. BFLO

What an absolutely amazing event this was. The love I have right now for this city, this community, this practice is beyond comparison. For anyone who doesn't know, yesterday's H.E.A.L. BFLO (health, energy, art and love) was an indoor festival that offered yoga classes, workshops, food, vendors and one kick ass community to share it all with.

This amazingness took place at the Foundry Suites and the venue was just as beautiful as the yogis who participated. Everywhere you turned there were interesting and exciting sights to see from the acro yoga displays to the live music and smiling faces.

One of the demonstrations that
seemed to just organically happen

The day started with a Power Yoga session with Steve Procknal, this was my first time taking a Power Yoga class and while the cuing was a little different than I'm used to, it was just another example of how yoga is all encompassing. The vibe in the room, the energy coming off the 100+ bodies was nothing short of transcendent.

Up next was a workshop by Candice Fogarty and Jen Gress. I had no idea what to expect from this event because there was no description and I heard a variety of ideas people had including the possibility of it being on handstands (to which I was very excited and then slightly disappointed when I learned this wasn't the case). What did transpire though was something I can hardly put into words, without crying. Candice and Jen led us through a series of activities to help us "make room for even better things" in our lives. We introduced ourselves to strangers, labeled our fears and excuses, and identified our loves and passions...culminating in a powerful declaration. We had to fill in the blanks of a sentence they provided. Some were even brave enough to stand and validate their statement in front of everyone - I wasn't quite ready to do that, so this will have to do.

It may not sound like much but to me it was heart wrenching. Before we filled in the blanks we talked to a partner (the last of 3 strangers we had to introduce ourselves to). Mine was a beautiful girl named Alyssa (boy do I hope I'm spelling her name right) and she asked me if I was hoping to do something I had always wanted to do. My response was quite the opposite. There is something I never thought I would or wanted to do and I'm about to walk that road. I'm terrified of it. I don't know if I'll be any good at it, I don't know if I will mess it up, before it even happens, during or even worse after - because its a life long change. Once I make this choice there's no going back, there's no changing my mind.

That's when I wrote my declaration.

I give up doubt and I'm committed to courage RIGHT NOW!

Of course after writing it I immediately began to doubt myself, but then I realized something, I had just bought a bracelet from one of the vendors...I don't even remember the name of the vendor, they were "I am" bracelets and I picked one out that really resonated with me and realized it's description wasn't listed on the display, so I asked the girl behind the counter what did this particular bracelet represent? I am courage was her response. After the workshop, I returned to the vendor area and saw some mala beads, there was one really beautiful set and when I looked at the tag....it read Courage.

I have always been someone who believes things happen for a reason and at this point I simply had to accept that the universe wouldn't stop slapping me in the face until I listened. 

When they're not around my neck or wrist, my alter will
be their resting place.

Last but not least, I had the supreme honor of being an assistant during Love in Motion's class. I was a little nervous but to be honest after the emotional roller coaster of the previous workshop I was thrilled to have something else to focus on. Love in Motion is an extremely inspiring, fun and all around beautiful duo. Kate and Kathleen write a blog, run workshops, retreats, and all sorts of wonderful events. Their flow was strong. It got into all the gooey spots and featured their trademark laughter. While I found it an interesting dynamic to hear their cuing and not follow it with movement, it was quite wonderful to assist fellow yogis, some of whom had never taken a class before. Whether I was adjusting the alignment of a foot during pidgeon or applying pressure in child's pose, the flow of energy was invigorating.

The day continued with a Yin class by Carrie from East Meets West and ended with a finale class led by a variety of teachers. Unfortunately, I missed the last two sessions because I promised my husband I wouldn't be gone all day (this event landed on one of the final days of our staycation). Regardless, my experiences from this day are unforgettable. All I can do is hope the lovely ladies who made this happen keep it coming!

Home Practice Take 1

Today (OK it was actually 3 days ago now that I'm finally getting to edit and publish this post) was my first attempt at a home practice since beginning my yoga teacher training with East Meets West Yoga. I'm proud to say that it was the longest I've ever managed, topping out at just over an hour!

Unfortunately, I still don't feel like I can put together a sequence of poses that are thoughtful and productive - and by productive I mean working towards something. I kind of just move. I've heard a lot that this is just what you do when you start out but I think my biggest complaint with my home practice is that I don't have the juicy, open, warm and fuzzy feeling at the end like I almost always do after a class. One class in particular last week, Carrie's Open Vinyassa on Wednesday left me feeling strong, open and simply content. I want that feeling from my home practice - and I'm determined to get it.

I guess I should note that I did my 3-3-3 medication exercise just prior to practicing today. I'm not sure what impact that had if any. As I sit here typing I'm watching the video of my practice (yes I recorded myself and no I don't think it means I'm cocky or obsessed with myself) its really all about watching my alignment. Can I see the things that feel good and the things that don't feel so good?

Here are some things  I noticed:

• My downward dog looks better than it feels. It feels so heavy in my shoulders and wrists lately. I was sure it must look awkward and uncomfortable. Go figure. Another problem I have with my down dog is the length of it. Is it too short? I feel like when I roll out to plank and back again I'm never at the right distance. I have to slide my feet back in plank (or slide forward like I'm going to lower to chaturanga and I know that ain't right!)

• I could use more length in my upper back and less movement in my head. 

• On my jump forward I need to get my hips higher in the air, there isn't enough room for legs when I get there and I end up bending them deeply and/or landing too hard. 

It feels like my feet are
sliding farther and farther apart

• My butt sticks up a little in plank, I wonder if that has to do with my persistent need to pull my hip bones to my ribs. That is not a very clear way of expressing that. We've been talking in training about building a language to communicate clearly and let's just say I'm trying.

• My transition from warrior 2 to triangle looks as uncomfortable as it feels. My warrior two stance always feels short so I spread my feet farther to where it feels yummy but then when I try to transition to another pose it always feels way too long.

• No surprise here but I lose my belly a lot. I need to work harder on constantly engaging my core. Which is funny because we were just talking about in class how this phrase means nothing.

• I'm short changing my plank when I roll forward and move to side plank
  

OK so those are a lot of things and the video is still going! I guess I can say I have my work cut out for me!


Now upon re-reading this I'm being pretty hard on myself, focusing a lot on what's wrong with my practice when in reality there were a couple things that looked really good or I was able to do that doesn't always happen...like this side plank variation. Today I had it on my right but not my left, other days I can't do it all and once in a while I can get both sides.






My pincha mayurasana (forearm balance) has been a work in progress now for almost for two years! I can't seem to pry myself farther away from the wall and I definitely find open leg variations easier than legs straight but I'm getting there!






This last picture is just for your viewing pleasure. I found it hilarious!  Anya actually made a number of cameos in my practice (she seems extremely interested in the camera!). But during my savasana....this is classic. Enjoy!