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April 30, 2007
Back to the source.....
This weekend I went out to Windsor primarily to see my 2 yoga teachers. I haven't seen them for over 6 months and it was so nice to get a big huge hug off them both at the airport when they arrived. They'd come down for the first module of their new trainee course running for the remainder of the year down in Windsor. It was my first time out to the place where they've been holding these sessions (this is their second year down here, and their 5th back home in Scotland) and it was great to see the place.
And then there's the shiny new faces of the students enrolling in the course. Eager as mustard to get on with the learning. The first module always has the usual run around the room where everyone says who they are and what brought them to the course. It's always interesting to hear what a wide range of audience a yoga course brings in. Most of the girls this time around have been practicing for several years (more than me), there's a couple of dancers, an actress and the usual spread of students whose own teachers had suggested they think about becoming teachers too. What was interesting was the number of people who said that they'd done an awful lot of research to find a decent course or had been recommended to go on this course independent of their own research. They're a good bunch, made friends easily and were keen enough to ask questions right from the word go.
I was asked to run through Sun A and Sun B before the students did their first class to give them an idea of what to look for. That was kinda embarrassing being put on the spot like that but I was happy to do it though I could feel my cheeks getting a bit red. It's always a good bash for the ego when theres 15 odd pairs of eyes watching you practice!
The rest of the weekend was good fun, other than the hours it took to get served at one of the local restaurants. Teachers are all looking well and I felt really re-energised by seeing them both again. There was a lot of talk about what I would be doing next though I didn't really have a straight answer for them. Physically I'm off to New York then Charlotte. After that, who knows.....
Posted by graeme at 7:27 AM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2007
Apple stores...
Last night I ventured down Regent Street to the Apple Megastore. I wanted to sit in on the 'Switch at Six' session for people moving to Apple computers from PCs (or elsewhere). It was supposed to start at 6pm but by 6.15 nothing was happening then some poor smuch came out to explain that the session had been cancelled due to the special event following on at 7pm, some world eco-system environmental lecture (which I sat through). Thing is there were all these people sat waiting, I presumed, for the switch at 6 thing. Mostly typing away on their laptops waiting for the get-go. Then it dawned on me that they were there for the free wireless connectivity and the nice chairs. When the eco-system lecture started the dude in front of me forgot to turn his speakers down so it blasted out some random piece of music. The women next to him was none to pleased. "I'm trying to listen to what she's saying" pointing to the presenter. Then the irate women returned to tapping away at her email.
Errr, shouldn't you be paying attention to the lecture then, missus? Hmnnn.
Seems to me there's a bunch of free-loading going on in these stores. When I was in the one in Miami it took me ages to get served it was so busy, again mostly with kids typing away their emails on the laptops tagged to the desks. Ok, it's one thing to let people inspect the equipment but giving it all up for free to get people into the loop seems a bit excessive.
In fact, when I left the lecture when it finished I had to excuse myself past a women sitting at the end of the isle (typing on her email). I half caught her tutting under her breath as I pushed past. I really felt like saying "He lady, this isn't your living room" (she'd turned up 2 minutes before the end of the lecture and there was nothing scheduled to follow). Arrrgh. So much spoon feeding these days. Jeez.
So this was my first bad experienc of Apple Inc or whatever they're called now. Still, who am I to pass judgement on people, I did check my own email there (for free) before the lecture started, but atleast I had the descency to listen to the message being delivered, and it was rather good.
In other news I got myself booked for New York yesterday. Holy shit!
Posted by graeme at 7:50 AM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2007
World Record !!!!
This picture kinda explains it all......
The idea started in New York when the cast of the Monty Python Spamalot
and 1782 people in New York coconutted along to the song "Always look on the bright side of life". As a Guiness ratified world record, the spamalot cast in London
took up the challenge on St George's day and attempted to beat the record.
First you had to register where you were given a bag of 2 coconut halves tied together. Here are the instructions...
And if you were to get a bit confused they were kind enough to do this...
Coconut L goes in the left hand. I'm sure you can guess where 'R' goes!
The cast did a warm up with us all. You had to clippity-clop for a trot (single beat), canter (double beat) and galllop (triple). Then we added in a bit of singing followed by a dry run with a part of the music. This was serious stuff! The guy from the record books was there to adjudicate and had a set of rules all set out.
1. You had to register
2. You had to clip-clap along all the way through
3. No ad-libbbing
4. Keep in time
5. Finish together
6. Must beat the American total.
The guy added that last one in to get the crowd going, adding that as he was scottish he didn't care if the record fell or not! (said with a smile on his face).
Thus the reason for all the dry-runs!
So here's a picture of us all....
and another of a flying foot for good measure.
Then the final total.......
Yippee!!! I'm a record breaker !
Posted by graeme at 7:33 AM | Comments (1)
April 24, 2007
There goes the toe....
I kinda thought that was a bit more painful than it should've been when I banged my left wee toe against the mat during a low-level jump through this morning. It twinged like nothing on earth for a couple of postures after though Janu C on that side was bearable. Yet, when I got out of the shala at 7.30 this morning I could see me toe was already beginning to go a nice shade of crimson. Oops. That's not good. I don't think it's broken as I can push on the end of my toe and give it a good old wiggle but the colour's a bit disconcerting. I'm sure it's gonna be fun practicing on it tomorrow. Darn. Just as things were going well. Oh well, another lesson there to be learnt me thinks.
I've got some photos from last night's world record attempt. Pretty good ones too. I'll try get them loaded up tonight when I get away from here early evening.
Posted by graeme at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
April 23, 2007
Portobello Market
Yesterday I took a massive walk around London. I started off by taking the tube (underground) out to Notting Hill Gate and then walking up Portobello Road.
The place was teaming with people which wasn't surprising as it turned out to be
a gorgeous day. The market has stalls covering all sorts of life... Antiques, art, pots and pans, fruit and veg, leather goods, clothing of all shapes and size, and just about ever type of knick-knack you could dream up. The stalls selling fresh olives and fresh made paella were particularly impressive. It was making me hungry
just watching them cook!
Once I'd walked the length of the market I took a turn back towards the
city and walked through Hyde Park. This place is truly immense in its size. It's sooo
big it's easy to believe you're not in a city at all. I walked over towards the
Princess Diana memorial fountain. Not so much a fountain but an elliptical
waterway of running water within a set-aside fenced off area. It was real nice. Families with their kids were out in force all enjoying the mid-day sun. There's notices everywhere warning parents to supervise their kids and not stand or play in the water. If you fell on this stuff you'd certainly know about it. Still, I'm sure the Princess would've approved of this and the dedicated children's park which was as busy as Trafalgar Square and New Year!
I camped out near the boats on the lake in the middle of the park. People were up to all sorts even playing touch American Football and badminton of all things! naturally there was several cricket games, rounders and 1 game of baseball mid progress. Certainly one thing that Miami lacked, though they do have the beach, but this place could certainly hold its own when it comes to the in-line skating. I never realised it was so popular here. Oh yeah, and the red hots pants were on show here too!
After an hour or so here I walked round past speakers corner then back through the far end of the park towards this place. Wonder if there's much call for a yoga
teacher in here...
Today I went up to AYL for my first sunday practice. It was already busy when I arrived, almost full then I heard voices that I recognised from Mysore. Once practice was over a group of us went for coffee and a chance to talk. It's strange when you meet friends that you make in Mysore away from the bubble of that place. There's a nice bond between students that have gone through that experience together. It's real good to catch up and spend time deep in much needed exchange of gossip! I hear now that AYRI have decreed that people need to write on an official request form before going to Mysore and that the max length of stay has been set for 3 months!!!!! It must've been busier than everyone thought there this year!
The London Marathon was on in full swing today. Some of the runners had been going for nearly 5.5 hours by the time I saw them.
Eaaks. Imagine doing Ashtanga for that length of time!
And for tomorrow's entertainment I'm going to get involved in a World Record attempt!!! More info tomorrow!
Posted by graeme at 8:43 AM | Comments (2)
April 20, 2007
Ashtanga Yoga London, Day 1
I've had a heck of a last few days. Not only did I not get any sleep on the plane over from Miami but last night I got even less! I know that's not physically possible but it certainly feels that way...
At around 9.30pm it started with me picking up the wrong towel from the end of my bunk in the backpackers. By all intense purposes it's identical to the ones the hostel give you out apart from an embossed logo on it. When I got back from the shower I realised my own towel was hanging on the other side of the bunk. As it turns out I'd just dried myself with one of the towels belonging to one of the 3 Italian girls' staying in the same room as me. Oops. I was a bit embarrassed to say the least. So I did the right thing, offered to get it washed and dried which meant running out to Tescos, chucking it into the washer then waiting for it to finish 40 minutes later. After another 20 minutes drying I was dying on my feet. When I finally got to my bed at midnight there was a hall party going on outside the dorm.
Hmmmn. I was lucky to get about 3 hours of broken sleep.
Ah the joys of dorm life.....
I actually found it easier to get up this morning than I'd ever would've imagined. I was up at 4.45am, outside by 5am then walked the 1.8 miles to the studio in Drummond street by 5.20am. I'd walked the opposite way the night before so new it'd take about 20-30 mins.
Once I got let in one of the students gave me a quick 1 dollar tour of the place, which is kinda small anyways, then there was nothing left to do but practice. The assistant covering for H started around 6am so I was almost at Utthitta Hasta before the opening chant. She came right over finishing the chant to say hello and help adjust.
I must say AYL has a very homely feel to it. It really feels like you're in someone's house rather than in a studio. The main room and closing are separated by the hall way dividing the place neatly in 2. It's warm inside but not the in your face warmth of Miami Life Centre. And it's lovely and quiet.
Practice was one to remember. For a kick off my legs wouldn't stop shaking with anticipation until I was squished in Paschimottanasana (nicely), and I was doing the floatiest handstands mid jumpbacks I can ever imagine, and I managed to bind in Mari-D for the first-frickin-time-ever (ok with a great assist), AND got both my hands through in Garbha Pindasana. I was having a blast! Maybe's sleep deprevation's the way to go !!!
So now I'm in a fine mood. I've had a great start to the day, ran into the young lady with the bendy mind (boy does she look good), and even recognised an old friend from Mysore by his ankle tattoo. Just setting up nicely for a great weekend.
Posted by graeme at 1:15 PM | Comments (1)
April 18, 2007
Kappoot
I finally landed in London this morning at 6.33am having been awake all night. The dude next to me decided he wanted to make a go of trying to drink the plane dry. He kept me and the people round about him awake all night long. I've been in at work, fixed 3 major problems, organised an Oyster card, found Ashtanga London and worked out I may be walking there tomorrow morning from Picaddily so I can get there on time. H's words of advice were 'the earlier the better'. It'll be interesting to see if I can wake from the coma I'm about to fall into here at the screen!
Posted by graeme at 8:03 PM | Comments (0)
April 16, 2007
New York
I might be coming to New York end of May. I was wondering if anyone would care to suggest a good area/place to stay. Probably only in for 5-6 days (and a weekend) and preferrably near a studio I can drop into.
Posted by graeme at 11:19 PM | Comments (3)
Done and dusted
Well it's all over bar the singing so to speak. I managed to get through my last practice in Miami this morning in one piece then hung around to wish everyone a cheerio. I must say Tim and Kino were super nice.
Tim's been taking the classes I've attended over this last weekend and he's been real helpful with alternative advice on the postures I'm working on. His adjustments on Supta Kurmasana are getting right into my right collar bone, it aches like crazy until I flop my legs out before lifting out in tittibhasana. It's quite funny as the other collar bone, which I broke playng rugby when I was 16, doesn't mind all the pressure at all. I figure with all the scar tissue that no doubt built up round the break that I've got some fun round that area to come. For now aching in one collar bone is about enough for me anyways. It feels like how I imagine a wrestler feels when he's getting pinned down by his opponent. Sometimes when Tim's been adjusting me I feel like tapping the canvas, I mean my mat, and going "I submit! I submit!". That'd be kinda funny!
I also drove over to see Le Patron at the little French Cafe on Washington and 14th. It was nice to sit with him one last time and watch the world go by. It'll be a while before I meet someone as welcoming as this guy. His little business that he runs there is his life and he's always welcoming passers-by like old friends. His joke about heading up the French Mafia in Miami doesn't surprise me anymore the number of contacts this guy has. Well, I'm glad I can call him my friend. His place is called Cafetto so if you're ever in the neighbourhood go look him up and say "Bonjour!"
Then there was a quick goodbye at Athens Juice bar, a last chance for a PCP - papaya, coconut and pineapple. They're a must after practice for sure.
Finally I had a quick haggle with the scooter shop owner over the buy-back price for the scooter. I knew this was coming but I wasn't going to give it away for a song. he tried to make some excuse about the registration document (which had gone on it's own world tour to Scotland with one of the send home boxed by mistake) but we settled on halfing our differences which seemed fair to me.
And that leaves me with tomorrow morning in the sun then an 8.5 hour flight to London. Jings. I'm actually going back to the UK.
Bummer.
Posted by graeme at 10:54 PM | Comments (0)
Where did the day go?
Practice was good today. Nice clean honest hot practice. Nothing too fancy, nothing too much out of shape. Stood on the mat and got on with the thing. Before I know it I'm done.
Good metaphor for life.
Where did the day go? Just 5 minutes ago, or so it seems, I was sitting all hot and bothered in Miami Life Center's reception area talking to some friends, and now it's gone 9pm and yet another day's flown by and all I'm left with is memories. They tell me I went to Athens Juice bar for a pick up after class, that I parked and walked to the beach to meet friends that I couldn't find, that I dragged my yoga stuff round with me to the Beachball Festival on at South Beach, that I came back to base camp and watched the end of Troy on DVD. Soon typing this will be a memory too. Precious little things that take up only neurons in my head, flickering into life when called upon to recall. Is this what life comes down to? Storing up memories to remember or forget?
I think I've been conscious for all of 6 minutes today. 3 minutes whilst waiting for Tim to come adjust me in Kurmasana, and 3 when talking to my friend after class. The rest has been just like one big movie set, spinning from scene to scene, endlessly on to this fade to grey minutes before bedtime. And when the light goes and the day is done, darkness covers everything, yet I know that the night comes and people are out there, living. That spot there on the horizon across the bay. Life, taking place. Memories forming, one upon one.
Must be time for a change. I'm blabbering shit again.
Posted by graeme at 1:02 AM | Comments (0)
April 15, 2007
Going, going, going
I managed to fix up a decent price for the scooter I've been running around Miami on. It's going back to the rental place I bought it from which is pretty good as the guy there knows what it's all been through and I didn't have to spend ages haggling with him. I'm going to be sad to see it go, but it's come to the end of the line here in Miami so it's gotta go. I'm sure it will go to good use for other people staying behind.
I'm so glad that it's day off today. I've been a bit out of sorts recently with the impending end of my 3 month stay in America looming large over the horizon. I've never had the chance to hang out here for so long before so I've had a great time getting to know the place real well and the new friends that I've made. Still, I came here for the yoga and my time here has made some good progress with my practice. I've hada chance to spend some quality time with a teacher I hold with the highest regards. I've also had the opportunity to practice beside some great people and friends. The yoga world is very small if you get the chance to get out there and meet people. I soon came across friends who knew of the people I had met on the other side of the planet. It's a real nice homely feel to it, something I've been struggling to find in almost everything else I've been taking part in.
Right now I'm feeling amazingly lucky
Posted by graeme at 3:03 AM | Comments (1)
April 12, 2007
And then there was three
...practices left.
I've Friday, Sunday and Monday left to practice here in Miami. Time's coming to a close and I've started the unenviable task of saying my goodbyes to the friends I've made. I never really experience that side out in Mysore where people stay behind in Mysore as their friends leave. I've always been the one who's leaving as my stays out there have been so short and sweet. It feels the same here even with me staying for almost 3 solid months bar the side trips to Mexico and L.A. There's a lot of joking around here that I'd be better off staying in Miami as immigration in the U.K. just won't believe I'm Scottish due to the nice tan I've now got. Ha. If only.
I made it across to Coconut Grove this morning for class. It was a quiet non-descript sort of a practice though teacher pulled my arm over in Mari-C through the pain barrier of the little tweak I gave myself a couple of days ago. "Best not to create any mental blocks" was his sentiment. I could see his point. Nursemaiding the sore spot would build up a wall of caution that I'd only need to pull down brick by brick again once I was convinced that the pain was no longer there. It actually felt ok getting bound into the posture. I had to grit my teeth pretty hard being pulled in but once there everything was ok-ish. Thankfully it doesn't hurt after class which is a bonus.
Work's being a pain. Apparently there's a deadline for tomorrow that basically hasn't a hope of being met. The expectation of some people just amazes me sometimes. Oh well. Que sera, sera.
Posted by graeme at 5:46 PM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2007
Funny sort of a day
These last couple of days have all been a bit weird. Last night's thunder storm, yes it does rain in Miami, left pools of water all over the road so when I woke at 6am this morning I took one look out of the window and thought "Sod that for a laugh" and promptly went back to sleep. I missed the teacher's class for the first time since I've been here and felt a bit bad about it but decided I wasn't heading for Ashtanga prison yet for missing just the one class. In any case I went over to Miami Life to practice in their new 10am open Mysore class. The friend I wanted to talk to on Sunday who disappeared after class was there so it was nice to get a chance to catch up with her.
On the way there I had to wade through that knee high pool of water that covered the road from both sides. As I stepped up the right band on my Haviannas promptly broke leaving me shoe-less. Damn. So I just did what they do in India and walked to the bus stop bare footed. Got some funny looks getting onto the bus with my expensive Ray-bans and no shoes! Bit like the "fur-coat, nay knickers" bricade, whose house I'd seen yesterday. Yeah, I wish.
Class was good. I'm beginning to think I actually prefer the heat in Miami Life. Well atleast the humidity. Had a good practice, some good sound advice from the teacher, and felt more open behind the legs than usual, though I've been kinda applying the Tiger Balm recently like it's going out of fashion. It seems to have helped a little.
Oh, and I've definitetly got my first Mari-D injury. Day before I felt a golf ball size ball pull through under my left armpit when I tried to reach over to put my left elbow beyonf my right knee. I got a similar "ooo-yaah" pain from Mari-C doing the same action this morning. Hmmn, not good. Something to watch for a couple of weeks. It's definitely not affecting anything else but it hurts like a bugger when in Mari-C and D.
After practice I got a lift up to the juice bar then walked up the street trying to find some replacement Haviannas. Seems I must've stepped on a thorn as when I checked the bottom of my foot was bleeding and I could feel something real sharp in there if I rolled over the bottom of my foot. I decided the best course of action was to get the shoes then dowse the pain with some good German beer with my lunch. I knew it was never going to work but it was a good excuse for a beer at lunchtime, something I can't even remember doing before.
Posted by graeme at 8:33 PM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007
Got a spare 6 million dollars?
Today I went on one of those tourist boat charters around the bays of Miami starting from Bayside and looping round past Fisher island back to the marina. On route the 1st mate kept winding the passengers up..
"The tensions mounting. I know you good folks can't wait to find out who lives in THIS beautiful house. Yes, she's a local girl, she's internationally famous, she's a singer an she's got all this 8 bedroom, 8 bathroom place all to her self...."
Then he'd mention some girl I'd never heard of. Well, she's done alright by herself if her place is anything to go by.
Saw Al Pacino's place; the place where they filmed Scarface and the Specialist with "Mr Sylvster Stallone". Jeez. And then there was the bare bits of land between the buildings which you could snap up for $6 Million. Oh, and that's without the house.
The local billionaires live on an island you can only get to by boat, or helicopter. It has everything you could need including its own golf course and bank. You can even get a membership for the island and access to all it's ammenities. That is, of course, if you can afford the annual membership fees of $175,000. Think I could get discount if I introduce a friend?
The biggets place is owned by some Doctor or other. 20 rooms, 20 bathrooms and a garden twice as big as any other lot with palm trees in from Jamaica at 10 grand each. What'd he do for all of this? Oh, yeah. Apparently he created Viagra.
Some people have just got too big a piece of the pie.
Posted by graeme at 8:47 PM | Comments (0)
April 9, 2007
Stiff as the proverbial cart horse...
Back to practice this morning and I'm stiff again. Boo hoo. Oh well. Just something else to work through. Teacher's been saying he's gonna work deeper into my hips this week but I was stiff enough that he chose to work on my shoulders and binds instead. I was grateful for that. I went for an almighty great big walk yesterday, mostly up the beach, and I think my legs took a beating as a result.
Other than that the count down to leaving is well and truly on. Every time a plane goes overhead I know it's one closer to the one I catch in just over a week's time.
Posted by graeme at 11:35 PM | Comments (0)
April 5, 2007
Islamorada
For those of you, like me, who wondered what could've been....... (pictures from outside through the windows)
This is the sign you need to look for as you head down US1. It's on the right hand side and further into Islamorada than you'd think
The entrance is round the side. The Fish Bowl's entrance is up front. Yup, it looks like a bar inside with 2 pool tables (open from 6pm if you care to wait that long)
I think this is a communal gathering area, or maybe finishing???
Reception area. 2 fantastic pictures of Guruji on the floor waiting for a home.
Where the business gets done! There's 3 chairs in there. One big one looking for a Guru....
The grounds are really well manicured. And what about this guy for a garden piece
The statue's atleast as tall as I am. It was quite stunning to see it and it sits in a pool of running water as if floating in mid air.
Some of you lucky people are going to get to practice here!
Good news. It's right next door to the visitor centre. Go say Hi to Mary, tell them the Scots guy sent you for help. She's super laid back and helpful.
There's plenty of places to eat, sushi, fish (obviously), burgers (for kids and the like) and a food market (fish based). Didn't see a smoothie bar but did see some nice coffee places. Nice choice if you ask me. Oh and the water at Anne's Beach was super warm... Just like a bath :>
Posted by graeme at 11:44 PM | Comments (1)
Passed Over
Mum. I'm ok. I'll say that again. Really, I'm fine. Please don't panic.
Yesterday I attended what was my first ever Sader, celebration of passover. I hope I don't offend anybody with my complete lack of knowledge or understanding of anything jewish... the company was excellent, the food exquisite and the ceremonial part amazingly interesting almost entirely due to my host's delivery. We drank wine, ate something bitter, an egg in salty water, something to remember that the jews built the pyramids, and, for the first time in 4 1/2 months for me, some meat.
And it was DELICIOUS!
It was a family affair, with some close family friends invited too, along with the ubiquitous Scotsman, always out looking for some excellent company and free food!
The story recounted about the struggles of the Jews, apparently the somewhat abbreviated version, the full version runs to some 5 hours or more. It explained the biblical route the Jews took, as well as the reasons behind the dishes that were laid out before everyone seated around the table. It was all new to me. I felt extremely honoured to be welcomed to such an event.
So this morning when I got up, I was in a good mood. The ride across the city a bit longer than of recent, but the sun was coming up between the sky-scrapers as it dried to sprinkling of early morning rain.
The car in front of me braked hard to avoid the car in front of it as it pulled quickly into the entrance to the building site. We'd all had to stop less than 50 feet before as a delivery was backed into the goods entrance. I couldn't have been going more than 20 mph. But as I yanked on the brakes it was enough to lock out the wheels on the still wet road. The skid was inevitable.
So what do you think the last thing to pass through your mind would be should you be faced with a unavoidable collision?
I hit the inside of my left elbow through the hooded sweater I was wearing, the outside of my left shin, skinned to blood red tissue, but surprisingly not bleeding, and slid what felt like miles but was practically less than 3-4 metres along the road. My jeans have a nice white press-mark above the left shin bone up towards my knee.
And the bike? Oh yeah, the bike. When is it going to flip up into the air over and over? Is it going to crumple into the back end of that car with it's rear brake lights blaring red?
In the end it simply skidded down the road some 3 meters or so in front. 2 skuff marks on its left side, the back seat housing saved from any form of damage by the metal kick bar that had caused me so much grief when I first got the damn bike. You would hardly have known it had been dropped on its side.
I never looked back at the car behind me. It never dawned on me until sometime after that I had ended up in the middle of the 2 lanes of the inter-coastal road, never even heard the cars come up behind me, or my head. I feel better now that I never looked back to see how far, or close, they had come.
I picked up the bike, and a worker at the side of the road said to my rescue.
"How much did you pay for the bike?"
"1000 bucks"
"How much?"
"A grand, a thousand dollars."
"Hey man, where are you from" picking up on my accent.
"Glasgow"
"Moscow?"
No. Glasgow, Scotland. My ankle hurts.
All day I've been thinking of pass over. Being passed over. At practice the people that were there that I may never have seen. Telling my friends what had happened. The "Screw the bike, as long as you're ok" comment from my dear friend. Yeah, screw the bike. The fact that if the outcome had been worse, well, there was an audience of workmen there that saw the whole thing. Atleast I would've gone out on a performance. Nice way to go.
Mum. I'm ok. I'll say that again. Really, I'm fine. Please don't panic. Everything's still connected. I managed a full practice and my ankle moves in all directions. I never even got a panic attack afterwards. Lucky? Passed over? Who knows. Who cares. I'm still here, that's all that counts.
So what was I thinking as I watched the bike slide away from me?
- How am I going to get to class now
Posted by graeme at 2:30 AM | Comments (2)
April 3, 2007
Wasn't expecting that
In what must be the most unexpectedly good practice this morning I managed to get shoulder forward of my knee in Mari-D (both sides), clasp my fingers in Supta Kurmasana, and do the darndest backbend I've done since starting. Ok it was all assisted but what the heck, it's a lot deeper in all 3 postures than I've ever been. Now to work on doing it on my own!
Posted by graeme at 8:55 PM | Comments (0)
April 2, 2007
Bad yogis
Moon day or not... the proverbial dilema. Sod it, I practised but the good news was I wasn't the only one! So for sure I'm feeling a bit below bar, bit stiffer as a consequence and will no doubt pay for my sins tomorrow.
I took it easy in the sun today after I worked out that 75F is 28C. In the height of summer in Scotland we're lucky if it gets up to 25C, and never this many days on the run. Well, I'm going to make the most of it while it lasts for sure.
Not much else happening, though I'm moving tomorrow to a friends condo, which for me will be a totally unique experience. I've also been invited to a passover dinner, again another first, which I'm looking forward to. Apparently there's lots of wine to be drunk, before the meal!
Posted by graeme at 10:51 PM | Comments (0)
Round the World - Day 186
It's taken 186 days but today I got a little bit sun burnt. Ouch. Over the tops of my shoulders and down the backs right in the area not covered by my top. It's been long over due, I suppose, but I kinda thought I had it all covered with sun tan lotion, but I guess there's no such thing as putting too much on. I'll have to be more careful as it's getting hotter around here.
Today I ran into a friend who I met in Maya Tulum. It was so nice to see her again after almost 5 weeks. I missed her a lot when we last met. It's a sign of a good friendship when you can just pick up as if you'd just seen them yesterday. She's got some stuff going on and it was nice to help her talk them through and for her to off load some stuff she couldn't tell anyone else. Who around here am I going to tell anyway?
I've got 17 days left here in Miami. Got some stuff I've been saving up that I want to do. One of the guys from the training intensive is back in Miami this week so I'm hoping he'll want to come along on a few of them. We'll see. I'm getting ready to leave though. Talked for a long time this morning with Tim from Miami Life Centre. He's a nice bloke, and had some real nice words of encouragement on what I'm doing with this trip. I'm looking forward to being in London, and closer to home which will only be a 4 hour train ride away when I'm there. I'll need to start checking the weather to see if the clothes I have will be warm enough!
Posted by graeme at 1:23 AM | Comments (0)
April 1, 2007
Malls
today I hung out at the mall, well, I guess that's what it would be called officially but this place, Merrick Park, ain't like any place I've been to before.
This place is unreal. So much so that they have "the collection" of super expensive sports cars, and the odd boat, dotted around the place like some display of exotic flowers, AND they don't look out of place!!!
The thing about all of this is the somewhat distracting allure of the place. Ok, so granted the shops are only of the variety that don't display prices on any of the items - if you have to ask how much it is you simply can't afford it - and in all the best malls there's of course, a Jimmy Choo, but there was an abundance of young families just hanging out together, men lazing in the chaise-longs, and a distinct lack of madness around the place. It is quite surreal.
These pictures are all of the center piece of the place. There's condos to the back and a huge gym on the upper level. As for the toilets, oops, restrooms where everything is automated, no on/off taps here for you to touch, there was a lady in there polishing the sinks!
It just made me wish how instead of the Nordstrom or Anthropologie, there was a center for people to get together and enjoy the surroundings. Ok, I guess to do yoga was what I was thinking at the time, the gym only had 1 ashtanga class on during the week, though they did offer a fulfilling 30 minutes of "stretching" for only $50!!!
If shopping were a religion then this place felt like the Vatican city.....
Posted by graeme at 1:23 AM | Comments (1)