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January 30, 2006
Monday
Wow, I hadn’t been to the shala since last Tuesday and boy what a difference a week makes.
Eddie mentioned that there were going to be some changes to the place and they are already in full swing.
The space itself is going thru a full on configuration change, which is going to be good. I wont go into detail
but suffice it to say that the closing area which currently is sort of out in the open is now going to be more private AND there is going to be a more modest place for one to change. Although at this point I don’t even think about changing almost right out in the open. The COOLEST thing so far is the new color combo!! The walls which were Marigold before are now the coolest shade of Pink. Sounds kinda weird when typing but it works really well it has a really cool old school feel to it. I just figured out that it reminds me of my neighbors place in Greenpoint this older lady lived next door and her place was the perfect old world European decor and her walls were a similar shade of pink, its very cool. Apparently the floors are going to be stained a shade of green that is going to pull is all together. Off the hook, looking forward to it.
So this morning I was struck during the opening mantra, the chorus had a different feel very deep and clear and powerful. After practice I had that afterglow which hasn’t really been happening for a while. It was nice.
I thought Id share a little “silver lining�
If you're losing (or have lost) Marychyasana D dont sweat it!
It means that your GAINING weight!
Posted by jody at 9:50 AM | Comments (7)
January 25, 2006
Good for the gays
Whole Foods Market Most Recent Addition to List of More Than 100 Companies with Perfect Scores on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index
‘From stocking shelves to managing money to assembling an automobile, job seekers in almost any field can find a fair-minded employer,’ said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign Foundation today released Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality, a new online resource that gives job seekers the information they need to find out which employers support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and consumers.
“From stocking shelves to managing money to assembling an automobile, job seekers in almost any field can find a fair-minded employer,� said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Best Places to Work lets gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender job seekers know which companies to put at the top of their list.�
The list of more than 100 companies is based on data from the HRC Foundation’s 2005 Corporate Equality Index, an annual report card on corporate America’s treatment of GLBT employees, consumers and investors. Corporations are rated on a scale from zero to 100 on key criteria, including protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, parity of health care benefits for domestic partners and other criteria.
“More and more companies understand that employees should have access to the same policies and protections regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,� added Solmonese. “The Human Rights Campaign’s workplace advocacy has pushed the bar higher and corporate America is rising to the challenge.�
More than 100 companies reached perfect scores this year, with Whole Foods Market being the most recent addition to the list and only supermarket chain to score 100 percent.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
Posted by jody at 1:05 PM | Comments (0)
Go to sleep, may your sweet dreams come true
Just lay back in my arms for one more night
I've this crazy old notion that calls me sometimes
Saying this one's the love of our lives.
Cause I know a love that will never grow old
And I know a love that will never grow old.
When you wake up the world may have changed
But trust in me, I'll never falter or fail
Just the smile in your eyes, it can light up the night,
And your laughter's like wind in my sails.
Lean on me, let our hearts beat in time,
Feel strength from the hands that have held you so long.
Who cares where we go on this rutted old road
In a world that may say that we're wrong.
Posted by jody at 11:18 AM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
U.S. Nixes Gay Inclusion At UN
The United States joined with four of the world's most repressive regimes to reject an application by two international LGBT groups seeking to join a UN agency that advises the world body on economics and social issues.
The application by the International Lesbian and Gay Association and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians was dismissed without a hearing.
The groups had sought inclusion on the United Nations Economic and Social Council, a think tank made up of non governmental agencies from around the world.
The United States voted with Iran, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon against granting a hearing for the application.
ECOSOC status allows NGOs to attend UN meetings and speak in their own name. The Council already has participation from labor and social rights groups.
The governments of Iran and Zimbabwe are considered to be among the most repressive anti-gay regimes in the world.
President Mugabe of Zimbabwe has long scapegoated and persecuted gay men and lesbians. The recently-elected president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has overseen an anti-gay campaign in recent months, in which many young people accused of homosexual acts reportedly have been executed.
Egypt also voted against considering the application. That country too has a history of persecuting gay men.
"It is an absolute outrage that the United States has chosen to align itself with tyrants — all in a sickening effort to smother the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people around the world," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
"Apparently Iran, which President Bush has deemed part of the 'Axis of Evil,' is a suitable partner when it comes to discriminating against gay people," said Foreman.
The ILGA has been trying to get inclusion on the Council for the past four years. Each time it has been met with roadblocks created in part by the US.
Three years ago, the United States abstained from voting on a sexual orientation nondiscrimination resolution offered by Brazil via the U.N. Human Rights Commission.
The Bush-Cheney administration has also opposed women's and children's rights treaties, sex education, contraception and family planning in international forums.
Posted by jody at 2:06 PM | Comments (7)
January 22, 2006
sunday
i've always been a fan of contemporary folk music ala david gray and tracy chapman. well in my quest for for new music ive run across a couple of singer songwriters that i absolutely adore and thought id share.
teddy thompson appears on the broke back mountain soundtrack (which is really good) and he is just amazing.
the track on BBM sounds more country but his solo stuff is straight up singer songwriter that rvals the likes of rufus wainwright. simple but elegant music and smart substantive lyrics with a voice thats reminicent of early james taylor.
definately heavy rotation on the ipod.
another good one is sun kil moon/red housepainters they hail from san francisco and although similar to teddy thompson there's more of a brooding edge to thier music. lovely and a bit heartbreaking, if your into that sort of thing, which i am. i fell in love with "song for a blue guitar" which reminds me of mazzy starrs fade into you. check em out you might like em.
the shala was PACKED today not at first but by the time i was finishing there were no empty spaces anywhere.
there were a few new faces too which means that either more 11:00 am people are showing up or the new website is bringing in a bunch of new people. a good thing i guess.
looks like there's about to be some construction going on as there was a a whole bunch of equipement in the back room. wonder whats goona happen??
good practice felt strong no pain, just mild discomfort, which is a great comfort. fell over coming up from a prasarita , b i think.
hari om
Posted by jody at 9:30 AM | Comments (3)
January 19, 2006
Old man look at my life,
I'm a lot like you were.
Old man look at my life,
I'm a lot like you were.
Old man look at my life,
Twenty four
and there's so much more
Live alone in a paradise
That makes me think of two.
Love lost, such a cost,
Give me things
that don't get lost.
Like a coin that won't get tossed
Rolling home to you.
Old man take a look at my life
I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me
the whole day through
Ah, one look in my eyes
and you can tell that's true.
Lullabies, look in your eyes,
Run around the same old town.
Doesn't mean that much to me
To mean that much to you.
I've been first and last
Look at how the time goes past.
But I'm all alone at last.
Rolling home to you.
Old man take a look at my life
I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me
the whole day through
Ah, one look in my eyes
and you can tell that's true.
Old man look at my life,
I'm a lot like you were.
Old man look at my life,
I'm a lot like you were.
Neil Young
Posted by jody at 10:46 AM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2006
C&W
My mother grew up in a rural part of Colordao called Trinidad and listened to Country and Western music. So growing up I listened to a lot of C&W too. I stopped listening and even liking it (alot of it still grates on my nerves) until just recently. I think the combo of Walk the line and Brokeback Mountain has reignited my taste for C&W.
Im not so sure about contemporary stuff mainly because I dont know any of it. (Although I think Keith Urban is okay. )
But Ive been listening to Loretta Lynn and The Man in Black and they rock, not to mention thier lyrics while sometimes a bit heavy on the self pity really rock!
Loretta will kick a B*&$@'s ass if you even think about messing with her man. Check out some of her lyrics if you can especially "You aint woman enough."
And Johnny was a Rock Star in every sense of the word, drug problem, jail time, affairs, groupies you name he did it!
The cover of Nine Inch Nails...Off the hook y'all.
Posted by jody at 4:40 PM | Comments (2)
exactly what am I trying to say?
I’m not sure, really. I started this blog to record the daily progress of my practice much like diary.
Albeit a diary that I’ve invited the world to read but I seem to be struggling with what I want to write lately.
Which is perhaps a reflection on where I’m at in regards to yoga .. a tough patch.
For many reasons but most significant are this damn hamstring which makes practice painful and not fun. (Lesson?)
And a growing sense of isolation which I’m not sure how to deal with. On the one hand Im just not that interested in going out all that much because it usually involves drinking and/or being out really late. Im sure I could go and drink club soda but that just doesn’t happen and leaving early isn’t really an option because things don’t start until late, know what I mean? On the other I want to remain an active participant with my friends and on the social scene because the person of my dreams isn’t going to materialize out of thin air on demand. What it amounts to is being a yogi and being single is kind of difficult, there’s no other way to spin it. I’ve thought about the ability to practice at different times which would make it more possible for me to be out and about until the wee hour of 10:00 pm on a weeknight rather than in bed at 9:30. But class is only offered in the morning. I cannot imagine practicing with another teacher so I won’t be moving to another shala. You see the quandary, right.
It boils down to finding a social outlet that I can fit into my current schedule, so Im thinking about a book club or two.
Maybe I can get REW on the bandwagon and we could start a book club.
Anyway this is all just me thinking out loud the answers are right there on the tip of my tongue or in recent entries.
I just wish this damn leg would HEAL!!! Darn it!
Posted by jody at 10:14 AM | Comments (7)
January 16, 2006
Yogi
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back.
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of
Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that:
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
Posted by jody at 8:42 AM | Comments (2)
January 15, 2006
Driste
The other day I commented on Driste and my growing appreciation for it. Well, it keeps ,making itself known to me on different levels. The most direct and obvious is in class, proper driste makes a big difference in asana. It doesnt allow room for competitiveness or self deprication because your not looking outside yourself, your looking inward. Listening to what your own body/spirit whatever is trying to convey to you.
Well, as I was walking home lastnight from a much too long day of shopping (another story) I realized that all this pressure that I have been putting myself under is the result of improper driste. I spend so much time looking around the room seeing fragments of other peoples stories that I end up losing sight of my own. Which leads to a sense of dis ease, when in fact everything is pretty much as it should be. Im on a path that fits my sensibilites, there is a somewhat clear direction of where I want to go and Im firmly pointed in that direction. Thats me looking inward.
Looking outward sounds something like; I dont have this, I need that, should I be doing x. On and on an on.
So thats my new project proper driste on and off the mat.
I practied at home today, I have a out of town guest and we whooped it up on Friday. I think Im still feeling its effects. Gawd Im getting old it takes two days to recover from a night out. The good news is it was a pretty good practice it helps that Ganesh was there watching over me as I practiced right in front of my altar with candles lit. Very nice.
Posted by jody at 10:20 AM | Comments (6)
January 13, 2006
Romeo and Juliet Redeux
So heres my first shot at a movie review.
Well....obvious bias aside I loved Brokeback. Coming to terms with ones sexuality is a very personal journey, a journey that some never dare to take or know how to begin. Which I think was the point of this movie. Sadly it was also one of shattered lives, every characters life was shattered by the inability of these men to live an actualized life of the men they were, namely gay men. It’s easy to say shame on them for dragging others into their troubles, but I think one who thinks along these lines is probably the same person who believes that being Gay is a choice. Human beings are social creatures and everybody wants to belong which is why they attempted to live a “normal� life. Their attempts at heterosexual lives however sincere were doomed to failure as they were in conflict with their true nature. Societies view of "normal" has more than just a strong pull its the very essence of how we define ourselves as civilized or part of the group. Outside of that view we are heathen savages, animals or more currently “liberals� you get the picture right. Think of that view of "normal" in a rural area its just become more narrow that one of the side streets in the West Village, not a lot or room for self exploration. Nor are there any examples of what the “other� normal looks like. Which is part of the reason why they made the choices they did, they felt that they had to make them. The movie embodied many feelings that I had coming out of course I was MUCH younger when I came out but all the feeling that were depicted in the movie are part of the process. And in spite of it all it was such a beautiful love story. Beat the hell outta Romeo and Juliet for me at least.
Posted by jody at 12:30 PM | Comments (3)
January 12, 2006
Gosh durn it...
This mornig came and went and all the while I was sleeping soundly in my bed.
I just couldnt get up for practice. The alarm went off and I picked it up, kept it in my hand, and hit snooze
from 4:30 until 7:00 no kidding. I was exhausted.
I saw Walk the Line lastnight with my friend Sarah (love her) and it was really really good. 2 1/2 hour movie that eneded at 10:00 so I was out a little later than normal. But this morning the fatigue in my body was similar to that when I swam with the masters team and not so much being up late.I need to take it easy at the gym, gosh I hope this layer comes off quickly so that I dont have to do this for long.
So not only did I miss practice but there was a plan to go for chai afterwards and I missed that too. DARN IT!
So there have been some pretty good movies out this past year and I think Ive seen most of them.
Brokeback Mountain
Good Night and Goodluck
Syriana
Munich
Walk the line
I seriously hope that we dont have to sit through anymore comic book remakes or thos ridiculous moves based on 70's television shows.....
Posted by jody at 9:33 AM | Comments (4)
January 11, 2006
Self practice
Cozy self practice this morning it felt like there were about 10 people, coulda been more but you get the point. Had I remembered that it was self I might have stayed home. I was tired from both going to the gym last night and then meeting some folks for dinner afterwards. All good fun but I am pooped!
Did I mention that Im sore the gym/yoga combo is kicking my royal behind.
Today was a great start for me to let go of any expectation from practice, I ate late and usually that makes practice tough. So I went in thinking I would let what was to happen…happen. It was really nice, there was no pressure just movement and breath and attention to driste. Im still working on that one tho its so easy to look around the room which doesn’t feel distracting but once you really lock in to the proper looking place it makes a huge difference. It also squeezes out that bit of competitiveness that seems to linger right around the fringes of my consciousness.
I entertained the thought of only going through standing postures and calling it a day but then found my self in seated postures, then thought I would go to D and quit only to find myself struggling through kurmasana, at which point I just said screw it I might as well finish.
Posted by jody at 9:26 AM | Comments (2)
January 10, 2006
Back at it!
Back on the mat today and it felt good. You know I’m LOVING the epsom salt baths. I had been using the really nice "smells good" type of dead sea salts and couldn't really tell a difference but boy the same is not true for good old fashioned ES from the druggist. Maybe cuz I can use a more liberal amount of the normal stuff then I would the expensive stuff who knows, I don’t really care, all I do know is that it makes my insertion hurt less during practice.
Im in awe of the major effect that injury, for that’s really what it is, has had on my practice not only the physical but my entire practice. There have been days when for a split second thought "screw this it hurts too much Im going back to the gym." Thankfully I caught myself before it really took hold. (Although I AM going to the Y three nights a week to get rid of my holiday FAT!) Now that the hammy is getting better Im feeling much better about practice in general. At the same time last week I had a brief chat with a fellow ashtangi on our way out of practice, they made a comment that has really stuck with me. I had casually asked how practice was and they said that they dont make any judgements on thier practice anymore they are just glad to practice. Which you know sounds common sensical and you hear that same sentiment all the time but I think its harder to do than it is to say. Im going to try that out as a motto for a while.
So as I am wont to do at times when I have nothing else better I peruse the EZ board for the sheer entertainment of it. Don’t get me wrong you can find some good info on there especially as it pertains to products or in some minor cases asana. But generally its just an online version of the Jerry Springer show. If you have the time take a look at the chit chat central area there are all these "fights" on there and goodness can they get scathing fast!
Oh good news, I think I’ve finally reacclimated (sp) to NYC after my trip home it tooka while! But Im back at it again.
Posted by jody at 10:47 AM | Comments (2)
January 8, 2006
sunday
On my way to practice this morning the sky was grey and as I was walking in the door I spied some snow flakes a fallin. Now, a few hours later its beautiful out the sun is shining with clear skies, but it is cold!! Overall a pretty nice day.
Pretty good practice today in spite of the lateish dinner I had lastnight. I did a somersault when going up into handstand during closing. Whaddya gonna do?
No practice for me tomorrow as I have an early meeting tomorrow. I might try and practice when I get home tomorrow night we'll see. Off to enjoy the day. See ya!
Posted by jody at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)
January 6, 2006
Earlier this week I was getting all funky about my career and feeling kinda down, like I need to be at a point other than where I am at right now. In short my impatience was leading me to a whole bunch of emotions and stress. Well, in answer to that impatience the universe has given me a little present in the form of an assignment at work that's in the area that I want to move into. Here's the catch, its going to be tough, a main part of the project is falling apart and the resources that are currently involved are both leaving the firm so myself and the technical resource will be ramping up at the same time. Not the smoothest transition in a tense time. But it is what it is and I'm going to treat it as an opportunity. So the stress that I was feeling on Monday has been replaced by a new stress. But you know if it gets me to where I want to be than I'm happy...I guess. : )
Practice was okay today I completely forgot a couple asanas (the Parsvakonasana's) but by the time I realized I was almost done so I just blew them off for today. D was not as easy today as yesterday perhaps because I ate pretty late last night and Eddie helped me on the second side. Ill have to try and think about D when I'm reaching for a second helping. Supta K was good as I was assisted into a fully bound version of it but I popped out of it when I tried to keep my feet locked behind my head to lift up for the jump back. Otherwise nothing really exciting to report.
Does anybody have a recomendation on cleaning a black manduka mat? I cant imagine getting that thing wet it would take forever to dry out or so it seems. And do those sprays really work or ust add gunk to your mat. I should probably check the ez board.
Posted by jody at 12:26 PM | Comments (3)
January 5, 2006
The First
I think Ill count today as the first practice of 06, seeing that Eddie and Barry were there, Eddie did puja and
We all did the opening mantra together so it just seems fitting that today be called The first.
I didn’t realize how much I appreciate morning puja and doing the opening mantra.
There is no puja in Denver and the mantra isn’t done every morning, in fact I think we did it only once while I was there.
Of Course I always do the mantra on my own but its nice as a group it creates a collective energy in the room.
And you know those moments of dedication spread out over my entire practice and I can feel the difference.
I made a conscience effort today not to move to the front of my mat after each vinyasa and it seemed to have an effect on my jump throughs.
My guess is that it has to do with where my hands end up when I move to the front of the mat, as opposed to not, for the lift up. If that makes sense.
I’m going to leave it alone and see what nature does with it, its worked tremendously well with jump throughs. I’ve never really thought about them and they seem to be progressing nice and steady. Hmmm --- I think Ive read a sloka somewhere that mentions this…perhaps silence is golden.
I do have to mention that I got D, full hand grab, both sides , and first try no assistance. Talk about surprised, I hope it lasts !
Posted by jody at 10:17 AM | Comments (2)
January 4, 2006
self practice
For the next two months Wednesdays are self practice at the shala and I kinda like it.
If today was any indication of what the turnout will be there’s going to be plenty of room to stretch out.
Reminded me of Denver where there was plenty of room in a pretty small space, quite nice.
Seeing that it was self practice I decided to use a towel in Mari D to assist with the bind. It helped quite a lot.
I got into position and then walked my hands towards the center of the towel and got a good finger bind.
I’d love to do this as a practice until its really not necessary , (I just got the Jane Fonda workout DVD that should really kick things into high gear!) but I think that might be a bit too criminal.
Otherwise practice was pretty much uneventful although easier than I expected it to be.
One thing that Ive noticed is that I have a tendency to move to the front of my mat between sitting postures.
You know how you kind of shift towards the center of the mat after a vinyasa, well I make a point to move back to the top.
I have plenty of room on the mat and am in no danger of hitting the person behind me so I’m not sure exactly why I feel compelled to do this, but I do.
Not a big deal but something I noticed/
I think I’m going into a funk and I hope its not a big one. I feel a lot of pressure (self induced) to make some major changes, mostly professional, and the insecurities that are tied to that are somewhat overwhelming at the moment. Perhaps I need to really immerse myself in practice on and off the mat, maybe that will lend some clarity.
Posted by jody at 4:16 PM | Comments (5)
January 3, 2006
Withdrawal
I think I might be suffering from family withdrawal. I’m depressed and wish my visit was longer.
It will likely be a year before I see them if I go to India as planned. That is a long time; hopefully some can come and visit me! Hint hint!! There’s nothing like the loving embrace of your family. I’m missing you guys!!
Funny how age changes you, I never used to miss my family for more than the plane ride home now it lasts longer and longer. So my resolution is to call more often than I normally do, I get so involved that I let weeks and weeks go by.
No practice for me this morning, between the time change and my ridiculously long travel day yesterday I couldn’t get my ass out of bed. Not to mention it was pouring at 5:00 am which didn’t help matters. Tomorrow I guess.
I don’t have any positive thoughts about Mari –D I’m gonna need adjusting in that one for a while (I got a belly for xmas!!) If I remember correctly tomorrow is a self practice day while Randy is away so Ill have to wing it tomorrow.
It’ll be nice to have some oxygen in the air as opposed to Denver where there is NONE!
I think I mentioned before that I gained some weight while away and I’m beginning to feel self conscience which sucks. Its not like youd think me overweight but I feel uncomfortable. So, I think I‘ll go to the gym a couple nights a week for the next month or so just to tighten it all up. I might even do some upper body weight training which should help with jump through’s and Garbha P.
Posted by jody at 11:39 AM | Comments (5)
January 2, 2006
We're here we're...
An article from the Independant . It does go on to assert that they could be brothers but cmon now... : )
As the "gay cowboy flick" Brokeback Mountain opens in Britain amid indignant protests from old Wyoming ranch hands, it emerged yesterday that such controversies are almost as old as art itself.
What may be the first depiction of a gay kiss was discovered in a 4,000-year-old Egyptian tomb, according to a recent conference at the University of Wales.
Their arms entwined, their torsos and noses touching Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep were painted together for eternity in an embrace usually associated with heterosexual couples of the 5th dynasty.
Just as there has been much wringing of hands and protestations that "there ain't no queer in cowboy"in Marlboro country over Ang Lee's portrayal of two gay ranch hands, this intimate pair have long been considered "problematic" to Egyptologists.
One of the largest and most beautiful of all the tombs in the necropolis at Saqqara, south of Cairo, the two men's final resting place was discovered in 1964. The archaeologist Ahmed Moussa made the rare find of two men of equal status buried together in a tomb decorated with images of them holding hands or locked nose to nose.
In a recent talk at the University of Wales on Sex and Gender in Ancient Egypt Greg Reeder explained that the affectionate embrace might suggest the pair were lovers. Describing an image of the two men tightly clasping each other in the offering chamber, Mr Reeder said: "Here, in the innermost private part of their joint-tomb, the two men stand in an embrace meant to last for eternity."
Posted by jody at 8:10 PM | Comments (0)
Kudos
To anyone who made it thorugh that last entry. G-D I really need a proof reader!!!
My bad!
Posted by jody at 4:18 PM | Comments (0)
January 1, 2006
Happy New Year
Today is my last day in Colorado which is always a bitter sweet event for me. On the one hand I am not ready to leave yet and wonder if living so far from my family especially my parents is a good thing and will I regret not making to decision to move closer when I had the chance. Melodramatic perhaps but its thought process I go through everytime I leave.
On the other hand I am very anxious to get back to my life, my home, my interests and New York. I love NYC so much, the outrageous rent the crowds the subway all of it. It hard to imagine leaving it. In spite of the fact that if I chose to live in Denver I could probably be in my own home, have a nice car blah blah blah. You know all that stuff that is important to middle America. But I can tell you that having been here for a while its all so alluring and seductive! What would I miss about NY? First, "the practice". Although there is a lovely shala here and the folks who own and teach are very sincere(in terms of thier approach to yoga) and genuinely nice people somehow its not the same as the early morning trek on the subway to AYNY and the energy in that room. Id also miss the people that I am in contact with everyday, friends and co workers and otherwise, there is something special about NY'ers that you dont find other places. Most of all I think Id miss the person that I am in NY. I moved to NY for a very specific reason and that was to be get out of my comfort zone and keep myself challenged in way that neither SF or Colo. could offer. It IS a challenge to live and thrive in the big apple and by rite of that fact the types of people that are a.) attracted to and b.) live for extended periods in NYC are a special breed. Not better mind you but different. It makes me a more informed conscience being. Im not ready to leave that behind. I havent learned what I came here for yet. I dont know that I ever will. My dad, who told me that I was gay long before I told him, said this past week that NY is my home and that he doesnt see me coming back. In spite of the conversdation we were having listing all the pros to living in Denver. The biggest being close to my family. I think he sees the person Im becoming and like me isnt sure how to fit it in to a colorado existence. But who knows what tomorrow brings.
Denver is safe. Safe streets safe neighborhoods and safe lives. Nothing touches you here there is a security blanket around you that shelters you from the world. The problem is it keeps both the bad and good from really ever touching you so your stuck in this sort of suspended animation where you can see whats happening in the rest of the world but somehow it recedes into the back ground never giving you a chance to absorb or learn from it. Remember this is coming from someone who grew up here and couldnt get out fast enough so Im sure there is some that creeping into my experience of it today. It isnt all bad in fact there is soo much good its crazy to think I want to go back. Ah life and its contradictions....
I think I gained like 100 pounds since Ive been here. Which means that practice is going to be a little tough for me next week but I CANNOT WAIT! I did practice a few times while here and it was really hard, the altitudewhich has never affected me before was a total bitch this time I could harldy breathe. Not to mention that its bone dry and they used central air heating to warm the room. There were no breakthroughs for me and Im considering askign Eddie if I can roll my practice back a few asanas as I dont feel comfortable going as far as I do at the moment. Wait. Maybe thats the lesson. Anyway... thought Id I post a pic of Ganesha with a little prayer for the coming year.
Stotras are rhythmically-composed verses in the praise of a deity.
Om Gajananaya namah
Om Ganadhyakshaya namah
Om Vignarajaya namah
Om Vinayakaya namah
Posted by jody at 11:39 AM | Comments (2)