My first assignment

After signing up for the yoga teacher training, I received an email with all the instructions and directions I will need to start off with.  My first class will be January 26th.  There will be an orientation, and then we will delve into the lessons.

I had to order a couple of books for the whole session.  One is required for the class, and the other is my choosing for a book review.  I chose Yoga: A Gem for Women by Geeta Iyengar.  It was suggested to me by a wonderful instructor at the studio I go to a few months back.  I have wanted to read it for some time, and this is the perfect opportunity.  My books should arrive by Christmas, so I will have a full month to get started with my readings.

Finally, before class actually starts, I have to memorize a sequence that they have given me.  Luckily, it is a sequence that they have used at the studio when I have attended class, so I should have a better time memorizing it.

I am so excited about all of this!

Love and light my friends,

Chess

Taking the leap

It's official.  I put in my application and the deposit for the yoga teacher training course just now.  I'm excited and nervous about the whole thing.

I finally realized that the job I applied for was not going to come through right now.  I applied over a month ago and never received a phone call.  When I tried calling, I didn't get much help.  I figure that must mean I am meant to do this instead.

I have no idea what will happen in the future, but I am ready to take this path and see where it leads me.

Namaste my friends,

Chess

A yoga mat review

I received this mat for an honest review:

 The cost is just under $45 so I would expect it to be better than my other mats that I have bought from ROSS.  It is slightly thicker than other mats that I have tried. The cushion it provided was very nice, especially for my knees.  I really like that part of it.

However, I found that it was very slippery.  In Downward dog, my hands were sliding out.  In Warrior II, my back foot wanted to slide away from me.  To me, that is extremely unappealing.

Yes, I used this only two times, but I wanted to test it out in a heated room.  I have not had the opportunity to try using my mat towel, but I haven't really had to use it before when I have done any heated yoga.

A lot of other people gave extremely positive reviews.  Maybe it just doesn't work with my skin and oils.  I'm not sure.  All I know is I didn't like the instability I felt and I am glad that I actually did not spend that much money on the thing.

Namaste,

Chess

A yogini living in a world full of jaded people

In a previous post I told you about my #dailygratitude tweets every night before I go to bed.  I feel like being grateful for what I do have is changing me.  I am less worried about keeping up with the rest of society, and I want to give back more.

Recently, I had a Pampered Chef party with friends and family.  Being a host, you get some free items.  There was only really one thing I went into this wanting, to make cooking a lot easier.  I found a couple items I liked, but decided to get some things for other people as well, since the holidays are coming up.  My consultant told me that for hosting a show in November, I would also get a free turkey.

At first, I thought that was pretty cool, and then I got to thinking.  I don't have what I need to bake a turkey, and it's just me and my husband.  My family and his family live here in town too, but I know his mom already has what she needs.  My mom liked the idea of me bringing the turkey, but again, I only have cookie sheets.  I don't have a roaster or anything.  So maybe I should pass it on to someone who might have a better holiday with a free turkey.  It's not a lot, but to someone who has less than I do, maybe it would mean more.

I discussed this with a few people who shall remain nameless, and I was met with a resounding "keep it."  Everyone I talked too said there are plenty of charities out there so I should keep it and feed my family.  At first I was really hurt.  "Am I not seeing the real picture here?"  Then I thought on it more and decided that I am seeing plenty clearly.  Without people like me, those charities would not exist.  I still want to do something nice.  So even if my mom is expecting me to provide the turkey (she doesn't know about me wanting to give it away) I can still get a turkey for my family, and give one to someone else.

I want to be some of the light in this dark world.  It's a tall order for many of us, but if I make someone's day better, then I am doing a good job.

So on that note, do any of you know of any local charities in Colorado Springs that could use something?  Not just for the holidays, but maybe even year round?  Maybe even national (I'm just not shipping a turkey)?  I saw that the local Panera will take donated turkeys during the 18th through the 25th at least.

Love and light,

Chess

Things I learned form class this week: 11/12/13

Another list for you to peruse.  Maybe you will find some inspiration here.

1.  Practice, practice, practice.
2.  It will get easier.  I used to not really be able to do a plank.  Now I can do it for a number of seconds.  Side plank on the the other hand needs more work.
3.  Setting the intention to let things go is a good idea for practice.  I can't control everything, and I need to let go of that which does not serve me.
4.  I still need to work my hips more, but Pigeon is pretty fabulous for that.
5.  I am stronger than I think I am.  Doing Cresent Lunge and twisting is a great mental strength builder.  I think I can, I think I can, I know I can.
6.  Boat pose is still really hard for me.  I need to keep working on my lower abs.  Wheel of Karma, here I come!
7.  I am really glad I ordered a new mat.  My current one is starting to fall apart.  That's what you get for buying a cheap one.  Sometimes you get what you pay for.  It served me well though, for how much I used it.
8.  I still need to do reclined twists more.  It hurts so good!
9.  I should really take up a little bit of meditation.  That, I think, is my next step.
10. I am still very interested in becoming a yoga instructor.

Namaste my friends,

Chess

Yoga Pants and Thighs

In a few of my previous posts I have mentioned what type of Yoga gear I tend to buy, and the fact that I have thick thighs that make some poses difficult for me.  Recently, the founder of Lululemon, Chip Wilson, mentioned in an interview that some women's thighs cause their product to pill.

I am of two minds on this.  I have thick thighs, and they do rub together when I walk, sit, move, etc.  I have experienced pilling in many of my pants.  My jeans wear thin there, even, and cause me to buy more sooner than I would like.  It is a natural by product, often, when fabric rubs together like that.

However, Chris Wilson really could have done a better job explaining that.  Instead of making it sound like it is our fault that we have thick legs, he could have explained it much like I did.  He could have even applauded the women who experience that for being active in his line of clothing.  But instead, he makes women like me feel inferior because we don't have a Thigh Gap.  See this related article on that.

Now a lot of women, and some men, are boycotting the brand, much like Abercrombie after the statement made about the type of clientele they want in their stores.  I never shopped at Lululemon to begin with, as their prices were expensive and I had already heard stories about larger women being shunned in their stores.  Now the company has another black mark against their name, and I am willing to continue supporting other companies when it comes to Yoga clothing.

Namaste,

Chess

Things I learned from class this week: 11/05/13

This week, instead of a list of things I learned from class, I want to present poses I have a hard time with, and the reasons.

In the beginning of class, we always start in Child's pose.  I have a hard time with doing it like it's shown in the link I provided.  I have thick legs, so getting deep into this one is not possible unless I widen my knees out so I can get my torso between my legs.  This allows me to get my rear end a lot closer to my feet than if I try it with my legs under my torso.  This is a great modification if someone has larger legs or a larger belly, and can't get into the posture well.

Another one I find difficult is Eagle.  The arms are not difficult for me after an instructor taught me to raise my arms above my breasts, and then bring them together.  However, once again my legs get in the way and I cannot come close to wrapping one leg around the other.  I end up putting one leg in front of the other, to the point where my foot on my wrapped leg could be a kickstand.

Along the same lines, I have problems with Cow Face pose.  The arms are not the problem, but I can't get my knees to line up, like shown in the link.  My legs just get in the way with this one.  I do the best I can and pull them as close as I can.

I have a hard time with any bends.  Forward fold, either standing or seated, are rather painful for me.  Wide Legged Forward Bend is even worse. My calves are very tight, so I find these poses to be excruciating.  I still work on them, because I would love to not being in pain when these are utilized so often.  I even try to do the standing forward fold whenever I am drying my hair after my shower, just to stretch those muscles.

I still cannot do Upward Facing Dog.  I don't have the arm strength yet to do that one, so I do Baby Cobra instead (that one is about half way down on the page I linked).

What poses do you have a hard time with?

Love and light,
Chess