Vinyasa

The ‘holiday vibe’ is beginning to wear thin. I’m really starting to miss my routine: early to bed, early to rise, twice daily meditation, healthy meals. I was going to try to move back into that schedule this week, but it didn’t make a lot of sense, given that I’m up very late for New Year’s Eve anyway. I’ll definitely get back into the swing of things over the weekend though - I must.

For years, I’ve endured almost constant construction and renovation in this stupidly over-priced building with little benefit. But the amenities are coming: last week, management announced the opening of the gym. I checked it out and discovered it isn’t bad! There’s an elliptical trainer, a stair climber, a treadmill, some weight stuff. Lots of room for yoga. And free yoga classes, which happen to fall on a night that I already teach (not that I would be very interested in ‘beginning yoga’). There’s space for practising inversions and the gym seems to be empty during the workday.

For years, rumours circulated that there was a ‘hidden sauna’ in the basement. I always scoffed, but the those rumours were true! Who knew?! The sauna reopened along with the gym and it’s obviously an old, retro sauna that was cleaned up. But it works fine. I used it this morning. If I want a serious sauna experience I’ll need to heat it up ahead of time but I was toasty warm for my practice.

I also found out last week that I have free use of the gym facilities at the neighbourhood community centre I work at. This is a boon because they’re close by and they have particularly nice facilities - salt water pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool and a full range of fitness classes. I have access to all of it now. No excuse for not going to the gym! I have three to chose from (I also can use the small gym I teach at downtown).

I had big plans for my practice this morning which fell through because I lost track of time. I had planned to do the free weekly class over at YogaToday, but ended up doing a shorter one, ‘Opening to Hanumanasana’ with Adi. I was not terribly impressed with it, given that the video froze up about 16 minutes into the practice. I already had the gist of what Adi was doing with the sequence so I improvised for the last 10 minutes and did a 5 minute Savasana. I may give this site another shot, maybe tomorrow, maybe the 60 minute class.

The announcement went out for WoYoPracMo yesterday and I’ll excited about it. Even though I’ve been practising daily all year, it’s a great boost to renew my commitment. Plus, I’ll have a posse again, at least for a month! Are any of you planning to participate?

Vinyasa

Today has been non-stop since I woke up at 6:30 a.m.

I'm on a bit of a 'to-do-list' kick right now. Laundry was on my list. I managed to finish two loads while I was doing other things. I took the dog for a walk as the clothes washed, I practised yoga as the clothes dried.

On my way home from teaching a noon class, I stopped and bought groceries. On the bright side, if I can finish these chores now, I'll be able to be a complete vegetable on Sunday, my one day off.

There was a surprise waiting for me in the laundry room. We're moving into a brand new era with my run-down 40-year-old apartment building. Recently, the management replaced the washers and dryers with brand new models! And they work!

The elevators are being modernized too and there's going to be a sauna and exercise room in the basement. The superintendent told me that the sauna opens in a month. I love saunas! Maybe the exercise room will have space for yoga too!

Imagine this: Sauna first, yoga afterward. I'll be like Gumby!

I'm eagerly watching this all unfold. After years of crappy slum-lord-style management and no amenities to speak of, it's pretty exciting to finally have a few perks (and elevators that run properly!).

I did 45 minutes of flow yoga this morning, following the Heart Opening Flow #1 sequence with Jackie. The last time I tried this sequence (the 60 minute version), I didn't like it very much. I guess I've adjusted to Jackie's teaching style because I didn't find her cueing quite as 'over the top' as I did last time.

There was one moment though, when she was talking about stretching the deltoids, and using a syrupy 'Yoga Teacher Voice', when I rolled my eyes. Hard core anatomical descriptions and Yoga Teacher Voice just don't mix well.

I'm off to teach still more classes. One down, three to go. I'll be rolling in around 8 p.m. tonight, exhausted.

I need to meditate before I leave. Yikes, and the dog needs to go out. And are those dishes in the sink? Better get a move on...