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A conversation with my guide

(This exercise was taken from a book called Awaken Your Genius , by Carolyn Elliot. I have been working my way through the exercises in the...

Monday, August 22, 2011

Things I learned from my yoga hiatus

1. If I don't go to the studio, I don't practice.

Remember all that jazz about, "I'll still continue to practice even at home, while I take this break from official classes?" And how I said I would continue a meditation practice at home? Yeah, didn't happen. Even with the best of intentions, I always manage to find something "more important" that calls me away from yoga. This is one of the big reasons I like to practice at a studio. No distractions. You go there for one purpose, you accomplish that purpose, and you go home. Of course the camraderie is just a bonus. Which leads me to:

2. I miss my yoga friends.

Yes, you. I have kept up with a few of my closer yoga family via email, but it's just not the same as that fellowship of going to class twice a week and seeing those friendly familiar faces smiling at me. I miss my fellow students!

3. My body doesn't like me when I don't practice.

As I type this, I have a pain in my wrist that feels like carpal tunnel (in fact, I just moved my mouse back over to the right side of my computer keyboard.) My left wrist is starting to have a near-constant pain in it, from holding the mouse (Mousing? Is that a verb now?)  I also have a slight tinge in my low-back, and a tightness in my shoulders. This is a good reminder of why I practice. Not only does it bring me a feeling of peacefulness within my mind (calms the mind-stuff) it also opens the energy channles in my body and acts as a natural pain-reliever.

4. I have a lot more time for those "other projects" at home now.

Although I only go to yoga typically twice a week (sometimes 3, but usually 2) I found that without it I have lots more time to do those creative things around the house that I had been missing. Of course it does not make up for all the other reasons I miss the practice. I'm going back tomorrow and I can't wait!

My creative brain thanks me for taking the break. My body may have even appreciated it, though it's not making that real clear right now. But I do miss my mat. And I can't wait to sweat it out in Ashtanga tomorrow night! 

PS, I realized I did not update this blog when I got my CT scan results on Friday. Turns out I do not have Valley Fever. The cough was caused by asthma, which is a result of nasal polyps and a severe sinus infection. I'm on another week of antibiotics, and I have an appointment with an ENT specialist, to find out if the polyps are malignant (they assured me this is just a precaution, most likely they are not cancerous.) After I see the ENT they should be able to tell me what the next steps are with regards to shrinking them. Possibly medication. Maybe surgery. I am hoping for the former.

I plan on seeing an acupuncturist in conjunction with the ENT as well. I'd like to get my immune system up to par, and hopefully stop having to fight things with antibiotics, which makes me generally uncomfortable.


Last, but certainly not least, I will be teaching at my alma matter (can I say that, about a yoga school?) starting in September. I am very much looking forward to having a weekly class and gaining a regular clientele. Classes will be at 6:00 pm or 6:30 (TBD.) 

~Namaste!~


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