Woke up this Morning

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February 28, 2006

Restorative..... hmmnnn, yes please

The Iyengar style class was so packed last night the Ceilidh dancer couldn't get in. He's a frickin nightmare sometimes always running late. He's known for weeks that the class is very busy yet he still insist on turning up at the time the class is due to start and he's still to get changed. AAarrraaggh.

Anyways, I offered to come back for the level 3 class and give my slot up but everyone who had booked managed to get in and the Ceiledh dancer had already left. Oh well. Class was restorative, which is hip openers to you and me, but done in a very passive way, no struggling or exersion going on here. Ahhhh, bliss !!

The Hairdresser was apologetic about not turning up to the party. Seems the Iyengar teacher wanted to come but didn't like the idea of turninig up on his own even though 4 of his students were already inside. That's such a macho thing to do, huh? After class I gave the Hairdresser a lift home as she was laden down with shopping. She was in great form as I'd given her some stick about her last boyfriend (a bit on the young side for her me thinks) but she took it well enough. She was such a Princess getting in to the car. I'd clicked the central locking open then laughed when she waited for me open the doors (she thought I had to insert the key to open the doors). She got a bit flushed when I had to lean past her and open the door for her. It got a laugh. Shes a blast. Told her about the flower experience and the OA. We both agreed that its often better to just be on your own. She emailed this morning to thank me for the lift. Huh, there's nice people in the universe after all!!!

Posted by graeme at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)

February 27, 2006

Yoga free weekend

That's the first weekend in over 2.5 years where I haven't done a single asana. Ooops.. Oh well. Good time to practice detachment I suppose.... though I did do the right thing and go back and visit my parents which is always a good reason to do anything.

The party over the weekend went well. Errrmmm. The only things which were missing were that no-one was sick (yeahhhaa!) and nothing go broken (phew!). Everything else that makes a party a PARTY happened, though. Let's see.... people getting drunk (tick), people spilling red wine on fluffy white carpets (tick), friends screaming at each other in the kitchen (tick, tick), girls crying over some nonsense or other (tick, tick and tick), people copping off with each other and leaving quickly out the back door (tick, tick and no doubt a couple of tocks), a kitchen soooo packed you can't get another sweety body in there (yet the flatmate still manages to crawl on the floor to get to the booze), and a couple of no shows (:<), and someone dodgy looking dude standing at the door saying "Yeah, John said I could meet him here", yeah, right.

The flatmate decided about 4am she wanted to clean up so left me to 'entertain' whist she did so (her insistance on this. She actually told me afterwards that she couldn't stand the people who were left at the end of the night so wanted to busy herself doing something till they left!!!). Never been to a party where there isn't an almighty mess in the morning (we through out 7 bin bags of bottles and left over food) . It was actually kinda nice.

So the OA never showed :< but atleast she was one of the few people who were atleast nice enough to get in touch to say they weren't coming (she had left her packing late... no doubt because Scotland had just beaten England at rugby for the first time in years).

Posted by graeme at 9:59 AM | Comments (0)

February 24, 2006

Give us a wee hand, eh!

Class yesterday was only the first led class I've been in for Ashtanga this year. man it was so much fun to be back in a group environment. Not only that but some of my postures responded too!!! Kurmasana was like... oh my god I've just head butted the floor, and that like never happens !

Seems I might be London bound more often this year. Teacher asked me if I'd be interested in helping them with their teacher training class their starting down their - first module is this weekend. I'm like, sure, love to. So, on one hand I'm trying to back away from spending so much time adjusting/assisting in class and on the other I'm getting myself booked in to help with the teacher training potentially 3 weekends out of every 4. Eaak. Balance, balance....

So it's the party tomorrow. OA wasn't at class last night. :< And my bets are that she's not going to show for the party either seeing as how she's away on a skiiing holiday with her sister early sunday morning. Oh well. Been reading some yoga stuff about acceptance. Guess I'll just have to accept what will be will be and be happy with that. You never know what (or who) might turn up.

The Ceileidh dancer (who also happens to like the OA) however already seems to be moving on. He's been gettins somewhat long emails from one of the girls we met at the speed-dater. She got 15 matches out of 22 guys on her card though didn't pick the Ceileidh Dancer (put him down as a friend). She's off to Spain this weekend so he's a bit miffed she'll not make the party either. Common, Universe. Give us a wee hand here!!!

Posted by graeme at 8:44 PM | Comments (1)

February 23, 2006

218 days to go

Well, seems the Universe wants me to get out of here after all. 14 months after my original request to take a year sabatical it looks like I'll no longer be sitting at this desk, typing at this keyboard. Had to make a compromise on the length of the sabatical as well so I've got 3 months less than I hoped but still enough time to visit the places I want to go see.

Got kinda emotional in class last night which was unusual as it happened at the start. Normally if anything comes up its at the end not the begining. Talked to the teacher afterwards and she said it might be something to do with all the extra back bending I've started to do as part of my own practice. Chuck in a couple of Pincha's and woosh, emotional central here we come.

On the antipodean front she kicked me again last night in class, purely by accident. She was practicing head stands opposite a beginner and to be fair the pair of them looked kinda wobbly. So I stood with my back to the beginner incase she toppled over. Well as it turned out the OA lost balance, flicked her leg out further and neatly caught with her foot me on the top of my shoulder. When she came over she was all full of apologies. All I could think of was how nice she looked with her hair all ruffled. Ha! Bad man. Anyways. We had a bit of a laugh about it.... It was a nice exchange.

The peanut butter's also been sourced (it's her favourite and I didn't get her anything for her birthday) so that's something to look forward to and plan when it gets here. Just hope it's the right brand.

As my teacher says... it's the thought that counts.... just didn't plan on thinking about her as much as I do.

Posted by graeme at 8:32 AM | Comments (0)

February 22, 2006

Taken for a ride

Ever get the feeling someone's taking a loan of your good nature, getting something out of you for less than what you're giving back in return? I feel like that today. The upshot of the meeting yesterday, though I've still to speak to my manager about the sabatical, was that my line manager told me that no work had been done yet on getting my sabatical sanctioned. ie they've had my request for 6 months and they've done nothing. zip. Oh, and by the way can I work this weekend, next weekend and the weekend after to sort out a release date issue for our customer?

It's like.... no. I don't think so. So if there's anyone out there needing a C++ developer with 12+ years experience on high visibility large scale customer projects (retail point of sale) then let me know. I think I'm going to start looking for another j.o.b.

Threw myself up into Pincha Maryasana last night to show the flatmate. Her friends are always asking me to show them something from yoga so for the party this weekend if it comes up again I'll have this up my sleeve. That or lifting my head off the floor in sirsasana. It'll all depend on how much beer I get through I guess.

Been snowing here this morning and my thoughts are else where. Motivation's kinda gone out the window. My manager's over an hour late to turn up this morning. Why should I bother when everyone else doesn't seem to care a hoot?

Posted by graeme at 9:45 AM | Comments (1)

February 20, 2006

Big day ahead

I'm writing this entry up front as tomorrow the prophets of doom and gloom are in town to do reviews at the J.O.B. There's a little edge to tomorrow in the sense that I'm supposed to be hearing from my boss whether I can get the time off for my Sabatical or not. It's been a long time coming - I raised the initial request away back in August when I graduated from the Teacher Training course last year. Well, what's the worst that can happen? They say no and I'm stuck in a job that pays really well, lets me cover all the things I want to do yet fries my brain every now and again (did I mention the lack in self development too?)

So. No doubt my boss will not want to talk about it unless I specifically raise it. I'll be interested to hear how they break it to me. Can't imagine they'll be laying out the red carpet or anything but you never know

At the Iyengar class tonight teacher let us have a go at Pincha Maryasana after loads of core strength work. It was really funny as the girl directly opposite me spent the majority of the class looking around at the guys in the class. hahahhaa. Dunno why I found this funny but I did. She wasn't even hiding it that well.

On a personal front I spoke to the Yoga Flow teacher today on things that have been going on recently for me. I've been thinkiing alot about what John Scott talked about with respect to balance in my life. I've been feeling recently that I've got just a bit too much yoga going on (lately I'm avergaing baout 3 hours a day though some of it admittedly is adjusting in class). Anyway, the upshot of all of this is I've decided to give myself a break for March and get back to basic. Re-set my practice on different lines and shake things up a bit. They say a change is as good as a rest so we'll see if that's right or not.

Teacher said some really nice things today. She pointed out that there's not many people get to do what I do with the limited experience that I've got. Being fast tracked to where I am she said was more the Universes doing than hers or my own. Call it being in the right place at the right time if you want but I totally appreciate where she was coming from in all she said. I've been incredible lucky to be given the opportunities that I have and I know friends who would give their back teeth for the half the chance I've been given. So it's a measure of my teachers' trust in the abilitiies they see in me that I sometime question in myself if they even exist. I am very grateful.

Posted by graeme at 10:05 PM | Comments (0)

February 19, 2006

Nothing like some fresh air

Here's a wee pic of where I spent the weekend with the Ceilidh dancer.

We went snow boarding and skiing up north from here. After months of city crappy amosphere the fresh air was so cleansing it was a bit unreal to say the least. The snow was more powder than we usually get here, but as it was the first time the place had been open this season it was nice to get out and about. The place was heaving so much so that all the rental equipment was out by 11am.

Slept like the proverbial baby when I got back and the flatmate said this morning I'd picked up some colour from the sun, which is always nice.

Today's practice was interesting from the point that I managed to get my hand through in Garbha Pindasana. Something I haven't been able to do since before starting to assist in class. I actually nearly got both hands stuck which would've been real embarrassing for that class coming in after I'd finished practicing.

Not much else to report. Back to the J.O.B tomorrow and the next stage of the sabatical review to take place tuesday or wednesday.

Posted by graeme at 7:38 PM | Comments (0)

February 17, 2006

Change as good as a rest?

Having read Donutszenmom's Feb 16th entry this morning, and having talked to my teacher at length last night at the start of class I've been thinking that it's maybe time for a wee change in the routine around here. My Gemini thing's kicking in again and though I wouldn't go so far as saying I'm bored with the routine of my practice, there's seriously something a drift at the moment.

Focus is pretty good, dedication is there, postures are coming along probably better than for a while, yet there's just this iggly-wiggly thing going on in my guts that make me feel something's missing. I've been trying the self practice now since before November and have only done 2 led ashtanga practices since then. I've been fairly consistent with the quasi-Iyengar class I go to but it's not cutting the mustard either. So I sent my teachers an email this morning saying I wanted to get back in to their classes as a participant as opposed to an adjuster to see if that makes any difference. I really enjoyed the led class I went to last Sunday (the other was just before Xmas) and I think i've really been feeling a bit lonely in the studio practicing myself. Anyway. Will do this for a month and see what happens. It could just be that winter's finally catching up with me and my practice is feeling a bit run down and I need a bit of a shot of energy from somewhere else.

Maybe's I'm just missing my twin.

Posted by graeme at 1:13 PM | Comments (1)

February 16, 2006

Mayver's Australian Peanut Butter

Practice last night was a bit bizarre. I've been trying to work through talking the primary series and it's been a while since I've done this into myself as I practice so I thought I'd give it a go. Eaak, what an eye opener that was. Not only have I forgotten the names of some of the earlier postures, I'm out of whack with the breathing and the sequencing of some of the inter-posture changes (A-B-C-D changes etc). Looks like I've a set of self study homework exercises ahead of me.

Practice itself was nothing to write home about. I accidentally weighed myself a couple of days ago and I've put on a bit of weight. Ooops. that's not good. So some things to focus on over the next wee while.

Got back to a flat full of half-drunk air stewardesses. Man. It's been a funny sort of a week.

So you'll be wondering what happened to the flowers, then?

Well they arrived, albeit a day late. She got them late yesterday evening and sent me a quick text to thank me for the 'lovely' flowers and that she'd see me in class. I was a bit anxious waiting as she's normally pretty early but eventually she turned up, gave a wee hiya then darted in to change. I eventually caught up with her after class, asked if she was ok, that I hadn't upset her by sending flowers when she'd specifically said she didnt care much for valentines (explained I ordered them before I found this out). She said she'd been taking some stick from her colleagues but that they were lovely.

Then I left her to it. Said that the important thing was she'd got them ok, and off she went.

Couldn't tell one way or other whether she was pleased or not. Pleased she got the flowers? Maybe. Pleased they were from me? Dunno. As my flatmate said the good sign was she turned up for class. If she was the least bit irked by it all she would've stayed well clear. I'll hold on to that for now.

Thing is it's her birthday on Saturday. What is it with me and Aquarians??? (I'm a Gemini and they're our sister sign afterall).

So if anyone can get their hands on some Mayver's Australian Peanut Butter I'd much appreciate it.

Posted by graeme at 10:09 AM | Comments (2)

February 15, 2006

Here we go again....

Ah, it's the morning after the night before the evening later to come...... Funny, I got even less sleep last night wondering what the heck's going on than I did the night before. I sometimes wonder if my friends who've all been married since they left school whether they miss out on all this sort of stuff... chasing after your heart's desires, seeing a spark of interest flourish into a full blown relationship then have to deal with it getting squashed and squelched in the dying embers of a troubled breakup. I used to think they were lucky in the sense that they'd found their partner, their 'soul mate', whatever you want to call it. Now, y'know I'm not so sure. It's been kinda fun the last couple of weeks watching myself react to different feelings, different situations. I saw a girl this morning that kinda looked like the OA..., it wasn't her but my heart jumped a bit all the same.... it's such a strange sensation when it does that. It happens so fast it's almost as if it's second nature and out of my control. It reminds me how I feel when I get so tired and my body's trying to tell me to get some rest (ha! I've just linked falling in love to needing to go to sleep, there must be something to read into that!!). It's like this other living person that's with me giving me advice. Prodding me to do something. And it's coming from within, right there from the middle of me. And it's not my head, that noisy place that talks incessantly about the why's and the why nots. Almost like a scratch on an old fashioned record that cuts right through everything, even the noise.

It'll be interesting tonight. She's only been coming to the Vinyasa flow class a couple of times so I'm not too sure whether she'll even turn up or not. It's been a great exercise in detachment. The flatmate's can't believe I wouldn't want to know whether the flowers arrived or not. I'm like... it doesn't matter if I don't find out today. There's no sense in worrying about the stuff I can't effect. I'll find out maybe tomorrow (later today) or the day after and then I'll be able to do something. Must say it's been such a good thing for me to do. And hey, if she even half likes me then I'm quids in, right? Nothing ventures nothing gained.... and yeah, I appreciate that sometimes I should be a bit more forthcoming, but y'know there's nowt wrong with a bit mystery in a womans life, now.. is there???

Posted by graeme at 8:42 AM | Comments (0)

February 14, 2006

AAAaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh

Yes, I'm glad to say that the news is in.

She didn't phone.

Nope, nowt, nothing, nada, zip. So. My ego tells me she either didn't get them or she just hasn't connected them to me.... which is the more worrying of the two as it means I've got to go through more of this tomorrow and see if she actually turns up in the class, then I have to try and weasle it out of her whether she got the flowers or not. Man, it's tough to be a bloke sometimes. Y'know with all this modern technology y'd think someone wouldve invented a way of letting people know if their gifts had arrived or not. HHmmmmnnnn. Maybe's I should just phone her work and find out, they'd still be open..... Naw. I'll just bide my time and see what happens tomorrow. Knowing my luck she'll not show and I'll have to go through this all again on Thursday. I guess this is what I get for not coming straight out with things and just saying, heh, listen, I like really like you. Wanna go grab a coffee or something? How easy does that sound... but when there's half the class standing around looking at the pair of you in the doorway, not so easy. What was it Julia roberts said in Notting Hill?? I'll paraphrase here.... "I'm just a boy trying to tell a girl that he likes her". Well, yes I do and I guess I need to grab the proverbial bull by the horns. Gawd it's worse than Xmas eve all this.

So on a better front my best friend from Switzerland's just emailed to say she's coming over in March and is looking for somewhere to stay. Shame she couldn't be here in February as the flatmate's having a party to celebrate buying the house we both stay in. Will be nice to see her all the same.

To be continued.............

Posted by graeme at 7:49 PM | Comments (3)

No news is good news, right?

EEEEeeeekkkk. The suspense is killing me and my ego's throwing all sorts of things at me..

What if I got the wrong address.
What if she's not in today
What if she didn't like them...
What if she got a nicer bunch from someone else....

Aaaarrgrgrhrgrgrhghrhhrhhhhrhhh

Posted by graeme at 3:46 PM | Comments (2)

Will you be my girl

Iyengar class last night was just fantastic. The teacher gave me an adjustment in Parivritta Trikonasana that just opened me up like a hot knife through butter. His instructions on getting every little aspect of the pose was so good that when he came over and pulled on my hip and my shoulder it was like......oh my gawd, hello!!.. Then when I came back up to standing my heart was pounding like crazy and my breathing went through the roof. Boy, that was really such a nice feeling.

So happy Valentines y'all. I've known the Hairdresser for over a year now. We practice beside each other in the Iyengar class. She's one of these girls that are kinda in a league of their own when it comes to being gorgeous. She's like so damn pretty I think most guys are kinda scared by it all, or they mistakingly think she's with a footballer or someone famous. Now I've known her for a bit she's just as down to earth as you and me. Likes her food, her yoga and her Osho books. Strikes me as the sort of girl every mother wanted their sons to bring home for dinner (osho aside maybe). Anyways, she let it slip last night she hasn't had flowers on Valentines in like the last 10 years. Now that is a shame, not cos she's gorgeous or anything, it just seems wrong somehow. I know there are loads of girls out there who don't get anything at all (and being a bloke I can't remember getting anything since
leaving High School either), but when it's someone you know and someone who's as nice as she is it's kinda sad.
Hopefully someone will send her something nice.

Here's hoping the OA is in at work today too. It's going to be a long day at the other end of this phone....

Oops, gotta go, Just heard the flatmates been in an accident with her car

Posted by graeme at 8:35 AM | Comments (0)

February 13, 2006

Help ma bob!

Well that was some weekend. Here's the jist of what went on.

Friday night: Teacher training practice. The students had to do a posture from primary in front of the whole class. Lead them through the breathing, ins and outs of instructing the postures and the like. They were all pretty good actually. I remember wetting myself before hand when I had to do this last year so it was nice to see it from the teachers perspective this time around. The Ceileidh Dancer and the OA did really well. I was really chuffed for them.

Friday evening I got bush-whacked in to staying over. My Tai Chi teacher was up presenting the next day and though she wasn't out she'd told my teacher she really wanted to see me. Anyway, a few drinks later and it's like - sod it. I'll just stay. Had to wear the same clothes 2 days on the trot but it was all worth it (save the brawl in the local pub we were in!). Seems the OA hates valentines day... thinks its way too comercial. She even said that if someone sent her flowers to her work (as I've done) her colleagues would probably think she'd sent them to herself!! Well, the flowers have already been pre-booked so oops. Och I'm sure it will be just fine.

Saturday: Tai Chi training. Helped out in this. The teacher's got such a lovely way about her it was just fantastic to see her again. She'd asked me to help out with a couple of things since I'd spent 6 months with her training last year. Must say it was great fun.

Sunday morning. Went to Edinburgh to practice with Rowena Warren who's Scotland's latest authorised teacher. It was nice to be in her class, got a nice adjustment in Matsyasana and a good chance to talk with her afterwards. Heat was amazing and I got into a lot of the postures that have fallen back for me recently. Was thinking on the way home it would be good for me to practice with an authorised teacher for an extended period if I can wangle it.

Sunday night: Help!!! get me outta here. Speed dating was a disaster. It was terribly hard work. 26 'dates' of 3 minutes in 3 hours. I was shattered by the end of it. There wasn't much to write home about though there was one funny story. Some old dear (she was atleast 10 years older than all the other 'dates') said she seen some guy taking a leak (urinating) in front of everybody at the bus stop before she came to the speed-dating. She was horrified to see that the same guy was here. She told all the women that he was here. The Ceileidh dancer was none too chuffed when he found out later out she'd fingered him as the culprit - even though he'd come to the event by car. No wonder he wasn't having much luck!!

So. Valentines tomorrow. Oh well. She gotta now sometime I suppose. EEEEEEEeaaaakkkk !

Posted by graeme at 1:32 PM | Comments (2)

February 10, 2006

New home.....

So I tried something new this week on the adjusting front. I got the idea from the Iyengar teacher on Monday night. During his extensive rounds of Sun Salutations (we must do about a dozen or so) he goes round everybody in the class atleast once if not more working on each persons posture quickly and methodically, making little adjustments here and there, then moves on to the next.

So I thought I'd try this first on Wednesday night in the vinyasa flow class then last night in the led primary. Vinyasa flow worked better in the sense that the class is so free format it's hard to know what postures are coming up next, and as the rooms so packed its hard to get across between people sometime quickly enough as a posture comes up. You have to make really quick snap decisions on where you can best help out where you are.

It didn't work so well with the led primary. I was going from person to person, mat to mat, then it dawned on me that the person I was standing beside next didn't really need much help and that the beginner at the back of the class could've done with my help. Then later on when I was with the beginner I should've been across the room with someone else who I'd been working with over the last few weeks on a specific posture. I'm glad I did the exercise, as it's reinforced what I thought I should be doing. It's all good learning.

Nice thing happened at the end of the class. I've been trying to find decent places to stand, sit during and at the end of the class. At the end I've been sitting on the little stage directly opposite the teacher who's at the far end of the class. Last night I sat up front beside her, if a little bit back and to the right. Afterwards, when the class was finished she came straight across and said how much nicer it felt having me there beside her and that's where I should be! Och, she's a wee sweetie. hahahhhaaa.

Tiff... I got the flowers ordered.... eeeeeeeeekkkk!!! Watch this space, hope she likes them :>

Y'all have a nice weekend.

Posted by graeme at 11:52 AM | Comments (2)

February 9, 2006

Snap, crackle and POP

Well, it's been a long time coming. In the yoga flow class last night I was helping my old flatmate in supta pandangusthasana B when she winced under the pressure I was applying to her hip. After a quick "I'm Ok" sort of a glance she explained she's been waiting for her hips to release for about 2-3 weeks and it's been giving her some pain. She's got a fantastic practice as well, about as near to anyone in our shala to completing primary. So, it came as a bit of a shock, and I imagine a sense of relief to her when on the second side there was an almighty POP as her hips released. It's the first time that's happened when I've been assisting and I gotta admit I thought I'd hurt her, but she let out a nice little groan and a huge smile so everything was fine. Still, it's a nasty little sound when it comes, even though I'm used to the pop in my chest that happens after Supta Kurmasana, and it's a real deep, hollow sort of a pop.

On a happy front the OA turned up in class unexpectedly..... haha :> I've never known someone apologise so much for missing class. She's sweet. Looks like I might just have to break that rule of mine about sending out flowers on valentine's day (way tooooo expensive if you ask me, tight scotsman that I am!!). It's just a question of what kind........

Posted by graeme at 9:14 AM | Comments (1)

February 7, 2006

In a Big Country

Backbends at the Iyengar class was just amazing. Soooooo much hard work (for us stiffies) but the teacher takes things nice and slow, progresses through locust, camel and then into walking down from the wall. The flatmate had her friends over for a chin wag so I decided to stay for the advanced class too (and give them time to gossip). Advanced was like Iyengar on speed it was so much quicker in comparison to level 1 and 2.... Less work on Sun Salutes and more advanced variations in each posture. Oohhhh it was tough. I've done a little bit of backbending with this guy before (dropping back in pairs, one giving support for the other) but walking down the wall was new to me. Not so bad but what a rush coming back up, leading with the chest and lifting out of the wall!!! Jeez, there's some powerful stuff going on there......

Working from the flat today, listening to some good ol rock 'n roll. Big Country, man I used to love that band. It's just weird how when you grow up with music that you then dont hear for years how you can sing each and every word of it in within a second of a track starting - you know like all the words, the guitar breaks and the improvs... I miss good music like this stuff. Stuart Adamason, the band's lead singer committed suicide after a long fight with alcoholism. He'd travelled with the band to Russia when everything was becoming a bit more open and saw some stuff that kinda shook him up (by accounts). The guy was so talented it's such a shame he's no longer here. Made me think I gotta make the most of the time here, maybe do something with my life instead of just sitting here at a desk all day, everyday. If the sabatical I've applied for doesn't come through I might just sell my flat and head off anyway. What else is there? Sitting here all day until the day I die or going out and living a little, pushing boundaries back?

"I thought the pain and truth of things that really mattered but you can't stay here with every single hope you have shattered"

Posted by graeme at 9:59 AM | Comments (0)

February 6, 2006

Running about daft

Ever get one of those weekends where you look forward to getting away from work and relaxing then spend your entire time running around doing things here there and everywhere. You finally plop down in front of the fire 10pm Sunday night and think, what the heck did I do this weekend?? Where does the time go?

Needless to say I had one of those weekends. I did fit in 2 really long practices (just about getting my feet underneath in bhujapidasana now), fixed up some shelves at the studio (which fell down after 20 minutes - thank gawd for raw plugs!!!), a week's shopping, cleaned 2 cars, ran the mysore group practice, caught up with the Ceileidh Dancer and booked in for a speed-dater do next sunday (yes I know). The OA failed to show for class (:<) .... I was looking forward to seeing her. Oh well. Universe provide, universe taketh away (she did text to say she was busy so that was kinda nice of her.....).

So. Roll on this week. Am fit to bust. Got me some good vibes going on and looking forward to helping out againa at the teacher training weekend coming up. My Tai Chi teacher's going to be in town to and she's a real hoot!! Backbends at the Iyengar class tonight and the speed-dater shenannigans on Sunday. Eeek. Busy bee

Posted by graeme at 2:19 PM | Comments (0)

February 4, 2006

Oops, did that hurt?

Mysore practice group last night and my old flatmate was there doing her practice. When she got to backbends I asked if she wanted to try back drops. i've only done a couple of these with other people and I'm really a bit nervous about helping people out. Alex was keen to give it a go and she's kinda light so why not. Well it didn't go quite to plan. She got down ok but she came up before I expected her to so I had a to react kinda quikly to prevent from really letting her fall on her head. She came up a bit lop-sided but seemed to be happy enough. I wasn't so sure. Think the wisest thing would be to seek some expert guidance on this.

I've booked in for Brian Cooper's adjusting course in Edinburgh in April so hopefully he'll cover some of this stuff. My nerve might have recovered by then!

Posted by graeme at 7:04 PM | Comments (1)

February 3, 2006

Non denial denial

Y'know, assisting in class is a right funny old affair sometimes. Just when I think I've got something sorted out, a half decent attempt at an adjustment in Marichyasana C and the Universe decides to bring me down a peg or two? And how does it do that? Well, (excuse the french) with a quick kick in the balls!! I was sitting in nice and close to one of the students, had my arms round doing that spaghetti thing that Mari C/D can only do and everything was hunky -doray. Had good grounding on the outstretched leg, nice twist in the student's back and an overall relaxed posture. Great. Then when the count finished I let go slowly moved back a tad to let the student unravel her hands and arms and the foot of her bent leg lifted slightly and just caught me right between the legs. Not a major blow (thankfully) but enough of a contact to make us both start (her more than me). This will remind me to ground that supporting foot now in the future. Funny thing was I helped the OA out in Mari D. I watched her get as far as she could then got in closer with the octupus arms. On the way past she banged the top of my arm and apologised, she's nice that way. When I got hold of her shoulder I told her what had just happened and she started to laugh. Mari D's not a good posture to be laughing in, though it was kinda funny.

So eventually class is like over and I wanted to talk to her (the OA). Wanted to explain why I sent her a text message last week as she'd skipped class for Australia day, but there was sooooo many people around I knew that if she didn't get embarrassed I would. So I never said anything but got so mad at myself on the way up the road that I sent her another basically saying that I liked her. Well of course after i did that the phone didn't beep forabout 2 hours. My flatmate took the brunt of it all. All my doubts and worries. Anyway, just about jumped outta ma skin when the reply came in. Some chatty witty remarks. Said she'd see me in class on Sunday but didn't make mention of my comment on liking her. That's a non denial denial, isn't it. She didn't say she didn't like me, did she???

Roll on sunday :>

Posted by graeme at 10:05 AM | Comments (1)

February 2, 2006

Happy Monster

Yesterday I was kinda naughty when I skipped work to go help my friend out. She finished her Iyengar teacher training at the end of last summer and her teacher has been pushing her to start a class at the local iyengar haunt. I got an email from her early morning saying she was going off to prep for class but wasn't hopeful that anyone would turn up. She was there all alone last week talking to the walls.

Sod it, I thought and with some quick talking to the Consultant I work with I wangled an early break out back home to work, dropping in on the class on route ;> She was really glad to see me, as was her teacher. Ahaa, your first paying customer!! I was involved in the practical exam when she sat it back in the summer. She was very kinda nervous then but now she's a lot calmer in her approach and instruction. She's a nice way about her and I'm sure she's going be successful at this. Shame she's thinking of emmigrating to Australia where her sister is but there you go. Why is it that everyone wants to move there but all the Ozzies are over here????

Anyway, that was my good deed for the day. Am a happy little yogi monster :>

Posted by graeme at 2:31 PM | Comments (0)

February 1, 2006

Singles Yoga

You know when you're skint when its a long boring tuesday evening and you'd prefer sit in the house talking to your flatmate than be out and about doing stuff with your friends. I think the flatmate and me have a couple of pounds to rub together between us, and we both got paid last week. Mind you, I didn't just buy the house we're now living in (she did) so no huge morgage to worry about, thankfully. The Ceileidh dancer wanted to go to the pictures to see a film but I had to pass, didn't much fancy his choice of film anyway.

The next thing coming up on the horizon is Speed-dating night. At the Iyengar class on Monday the guy opposite me complained to the teacher that he was always placed opposite some somewhat unattractive female. I was a bit gob-smacked that he would even raise this at all, especially with the teacher, though I'm sure he was kinda joking. Anyways the class got very busy and everyone had to shuffle their mats together. Teacher ended up asking me to move down a good bit to put an extra mat next to me and opposite the guy who'd complained. Next thing he bends down and says that the mats for the cute girl coming in to cheer Mr Moaner up. Well, fair enough she was quite a stunner I have to say, and I could feel him smile from all the way across the room! Afterwards we were talking and laughed about what the teacher had done. I came up with the suggestion of having a singles-yoga class, maybe on a Saturday evening. HHmmmmmnnnnn Now I've written that down it's a better Idea than I originally thought..... Maybe I'll set one up here in Glasgow - anyone want to come???? Anyways, that got us on to talking about speed-dating. Found out there's one here on the 12th, so looks like there's a group of us yogi's going to go try our luck with an unsuspecting bunch of females in a couple of sundays.

I've been before (it was hysterical) so I'm looking forward to it. That is of course unless something nice happens with the OA:>

Posted by graeme at 8:42 AM | Comments (0)