Motorless City

I am back from my whirlwind trip to redwood city and motor city.

Two weeks of vacation wipes out 100 days of Yoga.

Took three Bikram classes in Farmington Hills, MI, and attempted teach my friends some beginning yoga -two classes and-only one injured student.

The women instructors in Farmington Hills kept leaving the classroom.

One women kept giving out stuff to think about to keep your mind occupied.

(!)

The guy was great, I loved the way he said change.

Chaaaaaaaange with a lowering tone. Almost spooky.

Rubber floor. Lots ofbby older folks so I felt at home.

Glad to be back to home studio , plus while I was away I received gift vertificates to two other yoga Studios. I can really yoga up.

BIKRAM Yoga Tip of the day: Tulandasana Balancing stick pose. Align your hips and keep your arms stetched up as tightly as you alongside your head before you hinge at the hip. Do not droop like an umbrella, ( got that instuction from motor city) pull your leg out of your hip socket and your arms out of your shoulder sockets with all your might.

The show that never ends

One of the dogs I am in charge of keeping safe, got out on my watch and bit a neighbor.

I am dogsitting for a friend 45 minutes down the Pennisula.
Commuting to The City for works means no yoga for the last seven days. Miss daily mediation of the practice.

BYC is a very calm studio.

Everyone is quiet inside the studio.

Managed to squeeze in a class at Yoga Health Center in San Carlos.

Last time I was here in this small room the instructor used an amplification system. That bounced me right out of the class as she was a "countdown" gal. Countdowns are crazy making to my mind.
I entered with a mixture of trepidation and desperation. .
The studio now has rubber floor. I saw spray bottles labeled lavender. Starting panicing about "aromas".
No one sprayed the bottles. Break.
No burning gases or artificial chemical odors in the classroom BIG Break.

The students were all chattering inside the studio. Trying to find the zen center of my brain.
The road to calm me is a steep and twisted one.

It has been one or two years since I have taken a class here. The studio is small and not very deep.
Here they mark out the places where you can place you mat. You get more room to your left and right but the person in front of you has to keep their head to the mirror or their feet will be in your face. the ceiling mounted blower heater was to my left. I felt the top layer of my skin crisp as it was blown onto my skin. I expected scabbing.

Last time I was here in this small room the instructor used an amplification system. For 1000 sq ft studio. That bounced me right out of the class as she was a "countdown" gal.

Countdowns are crazy making to my mind. I entered with a mixture of trepidation and desperation. .
The instructor was not the owner but some gal who sounded like heidi klum. She did not use a microphone Break. If she counts down I am AUT. It has been years since I attended a scripted class. She gave wildly different instructions for standing bow, raise your arm first! That was shocker.

Feet in my face during the floor series prompted me to scramble for a new spot.
I could not believe how much easier it is to breathe in this aroma free class room.
I am going back this morning.

Yoga Tip of the day:

The End

Day 95 l 0 to go

It is Over. Drove in from Woodside this morning. Forgot my mask. Air didn't seem that bad. Only soft tissue in face went numb. Arrived with ten minutes to spare.

There was only residule toxic detris in the air.

(the room gets no ventilation)

Invisible layers of ionized debris.

I thought I caught a break as there was none of

the new uberstrong "?" in the air.

Then the instructer turned on the Fumigation Factor.

Head felt like it was going to explode.

mesage to lungs was "shut down now,

toxins are about."

Not the best way to perform yoga.

Felt hives rising under my skin.

Yuck!

Yoga tip of the day: If the room makes you sick

do not stay in it.

Hip Rotations

94 l 6 to go

Busy day :: 6 to go :: 6 to go :: 6 to go :: commuting from Redwood City in the middle of a remodel project that will not end. High hopes for yoga inprovement despite aromatheraphy breathing problems = head, inner ear, lungs knees are all taking a hit

Carry on, make it work, as Tim Gunn would say.

My suits are now beginning to hang off me abit, this I attribute to Dr Joel Furhman's book, "Eat to Live".

Bikram Yoga tip of the day: Tulansana Balancing stick pose: Adjust your hips before you tilt so they are parallel. Lock your standing knee. Make sure you arms and elbows are locked against your head and keep your chin up so you can see your front knee or your fingertips in the front mirror. Pull with equal force from your elbows to the tips of your fingers and from your knees to the end of your big toe. Rotate your elevated leg so your knee cap is facing the floor.

CRUSHING JENNIFER

day 93 l 7 to go

Fatitude.

It should be a word for how fat people are treated.

As in, "Gee, that boy throws down some mean ass fatitude."

The skinny little stick figure that was the reigning queen of the yoga warrrior wall has been bested, crushed, pulverized by the morbidly obese old lady wearing a gas mask in the corner!

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

7 to 100 - 8 more day to 101 and then a break.

Yoga tip of the day: If it gives you a headache -

get outta there.

Friday

day 92 / 8 to go
4:30 pm class still wearing GM respirator mask
Life is imitating a todd haynes film.
wondering if it will ever be safe to take the mask off.
Today I matched the highest number days in row 92..

And A Way we go

91 l 9 to go




Snuck into class with a low tech $7.50

respirator mask for the 4:30 pm.




Yoga dog, who usually sidles up to

or ear tugs went bonkers barking, so the mask was announced.



Headache from morning was still there but it did make a significant difference.

Face felt it was being eaten by maggots, a few balance problems but made it through the entire class. Soaked the mask.

Yoga tip of the day:

Here is a great diagram of rats in water maze

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Thursday
Day 91 l 9 to go
shoving Kleenex up my nose
to protect brain and lungs from damage.

Left before class started.

Off to buy a respirator at the
hardware store.
I want to finish this challenge.
Love the class
love the ability to breathe.
No choice.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Been there done that.

Tuesday 9:30 day killer

Busy busy work day after day killer class.

skipped spinal twist and final breathing to enjoy

a few minutes savasana before running to meeting

Wednesday 6am class back to back to back to back to back to bank to back to back

mtgs today.Starting at 8:30 am Still working w at 7:47 pm

almost almost almost almost 100 today

Day number 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 days in a row. 26 poses one or two executed well 24 to go- there are small tiny parts of each pose that are executed better and better every day 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90. still cannot feel heart inside chest Feel a pounding portal vein in my gut.

stretch your palms and feet always.

Yoga tip of the day: Dance like Jackie Gleason

88

Day 88 l 12 to go

For the last 88 days I have shown up every day and taken a yoga class. Every single day. I think daily activities are important.

Today's class was taken in total silence. Did the whole class alone, forgot cobra. Put it in the wrong place but it got done.

Convinced yoga is good for fascia, that is why backbends improve significantly.

Yoga tip of the day: Listen to your breathing.

Exhaust Shun

Days 86 & 87 weekend classes

day killer classes

8:30 am and 9:30 am - the worst.

Work happens on weekends. Delaying the start of the work day until 11:30 am or noon.

is it bad for business?

My energy just arrested before spinal twist in Saturday's class. Later that day ,I took a moment to sit down and every bone in my body whimpered :"Ow."

After work -slept for 15 solid hours. Sunday class was mental confusion class. Is this early onset Alzheimer's (AD)? Brain felt like it is bleeding internally, sweat or blood running down the inside of the skull. Brain chatter on overdrive, work distractions a mile a minute. Kept Thinking There is not enough time between first Sunday yoga class and work on Sunday. Kept losing place in class. Skipped final breathing and inserted savasana to leave rested a few minutes early - still late for an appointment.

Not good. No shower for the wicked. Must buy green face paint.

Yoga tip of the day: Pavanamuiktasana Wind removing pose. image in laying your spine on the floor like a line of beads - from the top of your head to the tip of your tail bone. Use the shoulders and arm strength to pull your knee alongside your ribcage. Bring your elbows down to your hips so you are increasing the stretch in your shoulders biceps triceps forearms and fingers. Let your breath press out your spine as if you are a suit at the cleaners.

Huffing Post

Day 85 l 15 to go

Friday, 9:30 am class

Huffing memory came back in class

as if peeled off the top layer of my brain.

The Olfactory hallucinations/memories floods make me think there is something crossing the blood brain barrier uninvited.

1978, asleep upstairs in my darling two story flat

awoken by odor. Confused. Is it the stove? Electrical fire? Went down stairs, to find housemate, an RN, head shoved into a paper bag, huffing away.

It's one thing to inflict brain damage on your own brain,

it's another thing all together to have it thrust upon you. ( in your sleep no less)

Must have been a lot of toxic soup to make it up the stairs, down the hall strong enough to wake me up.

I remember saying, "You can't do this and live here"

to a very confused (pathetic) face. Anger just cloaked on my practice today. Have no forgiveness for (this 32 years ago) huffing or this post.

Yoga tip of the day: Dandayama-Junishirasana, standing forehead to knee pose : Engage all of your limbs in the pose. If you cant reach under your feet qith both hands, don't let go of an arm to dangle lifelessly at your side, grab your knee with both hands so you can equally stretch your shoulders and arms. Breathing through your mouth will exhaust you. Keep your lips closed and breathe calmly, evenly, slowly through your nose.

Feel your body continuously stretching with each exhale, gently and equally.

Changes in State

Day 84 l 16 to go

Thursday 9:30 am

Organized changes in state are a good thing.

Disorganized changes in state are revolutionary and violent, or explosive, whether it is blowing out a candle or detonating a nuclear bomb. Or setting off fireworks.

Out and about last night. Someone from yoga class spotted me at an event. "Do you do bikram?" "Who told you?" My secret is out. Better buy a wig. Today in class very, very tired. is it Day 84 or the event the night before?

Yoga pose tip of the day: Half Moon Pose Ardha Chandrasana with Pada Hastasana - Take time to really flex your hip joints in the warm up.The closer your elbows are to your ears the tighter the full body stretch you will feel down your side

Midnight Train to Prada

day 83 l 17 to go

Wednesday 9:30 am class

September 30, 2009

I've fallen down and I can't get up.

(Its okay. I am wearing Prada)

Photo from Milan Fashion Week 2009.

My Yoga train is empty. Q4 has everyone busier than me.

The 26 postures still elude me. Current zeitgeist sez excercise does not matter, nuitrition does.Good thing I do not attend yoga for exercise. For me it is a meditative practice. Something to challenge the focus and quiet the mind.

Both primary care MD and Dermatologist both strongly advised there were better ways to spend my time than in Bikram Yoga practice. Dermatologist was strongly against it (for me). Regular Doc would have preferred the time spent walking.

What will I do 18 days from now?

Yoga tip of the day: Stretch your feet. In awkward pose, feel the heel releasing the soles of the feet down. In Tulandasana ,Balancing stick pose, move the weight around over your foot until you feel your body weight centered over the middle of the foot, then exhale through your arms, locking both your elbows and knees, pulling with all your might to reach opposite walls with fingers and toes.

Tuesday Afternoon

Day 82. l 18 to go

4:30 pm class.

Still not 100% well but definately not sicker.

Can not tell if sick is increasing fragrence sensitivities
or fragrances are making immune system fail.

I dream of large heppa air filters.

Yoga Tip of the day: Tree Stand. Rotate your leg as you lift it and push your knee as close the floor as possible. Concentrate on releasing your hip to lower your knee.

sicko pation

Monday September 28th

day 81/19 to go

Sunday after work, stuck in Folsom Street Faire traffic, my throat gave out. Red raw raspy and 19 days to go. How will I ever crush Jennifer (92 days in a row and is the studios top DRC number)

if I keep falling ill in the final count down days to my 100 days of yoga in a row goal?

BYC studio policy for DRC is no make up classes, no classes in other studios, it is one class every day, same studio. no 2 on Saturday and take Sunday off. This makes the DRC serious. I blame this illness on my attempt to cook food. I rambled about in my kitchen and threw things that were once considered food items purchased during the Eisenhower Administration into a crock pot and cooked them useless.

Is this veggie goop what took me down? It tasted good. Sort of like moose and squirrel stew. Am trying to eat healthy. I eat as much as I want as long as it is vegetable or fruit. Home early - to bed early and slept in past the 6am class. Entered the 9:30am class itching for fight, someone was poking at my dog outside, "she shouldn't be blocking the door" Bhah- That is her job. She is busy herding all of us the studio and sitting at the threshold of the door. protecting us. It's inbred. 60

minutes into the class could not breathe. Left the studio after the standing series. Really rare for me to leave, yet the second time in three months. Both for the same reason, can't breathe and the face is completely numb. Which is really a disturbing symptom of (not enough fox tv)?

Went home - Came back at 4:30 pm to keep the days in a row show going. 60 minutes is not a full class right? Actually feel much better, ate more goop. Maybe I need 150 minutes of yoga very day instead of the "normal" 90.

should try and throw in a few doubles in the countdown week.. I'll never be more primed than I am right now to do it.

Yoga tip of the day:awkward pose- Utkatasana

keep your legs arms and shoulders six inches apart and pull your heels up and out towards the mirror, keep your spine centered and eyes straight, chin parallel to the floor. Pushing the tops of your thigh bones down towards your heels will allow you to remain in this posture longer.

Shoulders engaged, yes please

Day 80/20 to go

Sunday the 27th

In the world of the internet, I like to remain anonymous.

Imagine my suprise when I saw a RSS feed of my yoga

rantings on my Plaxo service! I guess I kill the plaxo service.

The last place I would want anything this personal.

Sunday class mat to mat 33 people. One person too many.

One man stood still looking for a spot for his mat before class time.

He told me, his plan to get mat space was to 'Look Awkward' until someone moved.

Another name for a yoga classmate is born - Awkward Man. Good name!

Along with the other BYC Legionaires: Bendy Birl, Jet Engine Boy, Squiggly Girl, Giggly Guy and yours truley, The Damage has been Done Girl.

How do people named Nick get nicknames?

Yoga tip of the day: DarniwishIhadknownitwasroshhashanah. Separate standing forehead to knee pose - aka -Dandayamana Bihktapdada Janushirasana

If you cannot put your forehead to your knees and your hands in a steeple ahead of your feet on the ground, at least make sure that your arms are fully extended in front of you, shoulders fully engaged, elbows locked.

Convertible Difference

Day 79 l 21 to go

Saturday Class crowded

Only one aromatherapy oil lamp on.

Breatheable class is back.

Took cab to class, de-dogged car is ready today.

Fabulous rental car tuned back in to rental shop last night.

Driving a Porsche Boxster Convertible

delivers to the driver instant sex appeal.

New Vow - get a sexy convertible.

Yoga tip of the day: Form is everything and nothing, as it is impossible to attain. Do not strain and focus on breathing calmly no matter where you are in the pose, the slow release of your breath will take you where you want to go just like a 2009 Porsche Boxster convertible.

Yoga Gas Chamber

Friday l Day 78

Walked into the studio. It was like walking into a gas chamber. Did one breathing pose and had to walk out.

Came back at 4:30 pm it was worse.

Extra aromatheraphy oil is burning in the class.

Did a 90 minute class by holding my breathe.

no ability to breathe or balance - plus major headache.

The heat rises the molecules, they catch the trade winds from the cieling fan and it gets whipped across the entire classroom.

I'll need to quit the studio or get a mask.

The EPA says this about particulant matter in the air: " Particulate matter" also known as Particle pollution is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets,. Particle Pollution is made up of a number if components, including acids, ( such as nitrates and sulfates) organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. The size of the particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems, Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream. Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart. Particles of concern include " inhalable particles PM, such as those found near roadways and dusty industries, which are 10 micrometers in diameter and smaller and fine particles or PM " ( such as those found in smoke and haze) which are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller.

Yoga tip of the day: don't have tip, only headache.

Post, Miss Post?

I know how to appear 30 pounds thinner

Twenty years younger

in 24 hours

without any sweating

or bending at all.

answer on Saturday's post.

Day 76 & 77

Did the deed.

Missed the post.

Free Crisp $100 Dollar Bills

Day 75 l

25 to go

Car in the shop

for de-dogification:

New seats, headliner

and carpet.

Smells like something skunk-like

died inside my car.

Offered Crisp 100 Dollar bills today to people to show up at my dog and pony show. Busy day. No car, bought groceries they are still sitting in bag on the floor.

Three contracts behind. Must schedule two cabs for the morning.

Love my Crisp $100 dollar bills. they make me so very very very happy.

Great hand feel.

Texture is top notch.

It is way way way past my bedtime.

Yoga tip of the day: Tree pose.

Find the notch in your sternum, and place the joint of your thumb there.

Cheese in my Veins

day 74 l 26 to go

My personal record

Alpha Cells of the pancreatic islets are not cooperating.

everything I have read or heard that is supposed to change or adjust with a regular practice of yoga does not happen with/to/on/ me. Either ingrained and hard to shake intake habits, (coffee, sugar, starches, and genetic predispositions, to crave above substances) The real changes need to occur on the cellular level inside brain/hormone chemistry that I don't understand how it works (yet)

to visit a any Dr one is given medicine that begins a path of lifelong drug consumption. The only drugs I want to take are those given out at raves. :) ( do they still have raves?)

My blood pressure after nonstop bikram yoga practice is mind blowingly high. the 42% fat diet I have been ingesting may have something to with this.

But I do enjoy the cheese, the most popular cheeses in all of the Europe have taken up permanent illegal residency inside my arteries. Everytime I get on a plane I think DVT

.

Yoga tip of the day: Pranayama Breathing press your thumbs into your throat throughout this breathing practice

The Effects Of Gamma Rays

Day 73 l 27 to go

Sunday 9:30 am Class

Open house today Workday Sunday.

class was 32 mats to the floor. full house

Almost had a claustrophobic panic attack

during the floor series. Right in front of the bathroom

door means no savasana at the end of class as everyone is climbing over you.

Drank the Kissler with one of the rat pack. I am now done with my week of why yes.

no its back to why no, even if it means I have to chain myself to the radiator when the full moon comes out.

Yoga pose top of the day: Bow pose

Let your shoulders blades move closer together. Keep your knees and feet six inches apart

44.1%.183.4.152.115

Wine knot

Day 72 l 28 to go

After a hot Friday afternoon of chardonnay and chat with the neighborhood corner cafe local why no's. its a late Saturday class at 11:00 am . Scored some wine at a garage sale across from the studio. A Kissler Chardonnay that will not last long. Don't know what this says about my no alcohol resolve. did it dissolve? I will take these 11 bottles down the cellar and stash themn until it is time for the annual spy party. Buy wine from private wine collectors. It makes for interesting drinking.

I meet my record of 73 days in row tomorrow. (pre H1N1?flu last May) Have done a lot lot lot of yoga this year and last, and there is a long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long way to go.

Yoga tip of the day: Pranayama Breathing:

Find the balance between ease and effort with each breath.

Sizzlinging Heat

Day 71 l 29 to go

6 am class Friday,

One of the yoga rat pack makes a reappearance.

Practicing with friends is nice. I am grateful whenever they can join me in class.

It is easy to make food and drink the center around which social activities lie

When the weather is warm the wine cellar releases its siren song: its too hot for your brain to work have a drink do not think

Yoga tip of the day: Half tortoise pose: there was a tortoise and scorpion sitting along a river bank

The scorpion ask the tortoise to ferry him ontop of the tortoise to the other side of hte river bank. The tortoise said no, you will sting me and kill me. The scorpion points out he too would die too if he stabbed tortiose and not make it to his destination.

Halfway across the river, the scorpion stabs and kills the tortoise. They both drown in the river.

Every creature remains true to its nature.

My nature is not bendy.

The stronger the stretch into the steeple, the better the pose.

Fashion Heroin takes her Toll

Day 70 l 30 to go

Ran out of steam today. Corner spot

too many mirrors I became panicked

What do they say in rear view mirrors, anyway?

Objects appear, closer, larger, older than they actually are?

Felt clastrophobically crowded though the class size

was a right size. Must stay away from the corners

where the mirrors meet. Somone compared class high

to heroin. The receptors on the brain that bond with

opiates -very different. Pass that opium pipe right over here.

definitely a superior high.

I am to go to a fashion show today, as a VIP guest

of large American corporation. Should I shower?

hmmm. Will I stick to water?Its the start of free booze season.

Skinny Bitches

good nutrition book

(who'd a thunk it?)

as it Joel Furmans Eat to Live.

Hoping to get a Kessler's new book.

Yoga tip of the day: Camel trick move the hips forward so they are closer to the front of the room than the knees, As you lean back, feel the stretch in your neck as you drop your head back, use hands on the lower back to stretch your hips forward in front of your knees.

No rest for The Wicked

Day 69 l 31 to go
6am Wednesday

Woke up it was Bhopal morning
and the first thing that I smelt
was death outside my window
That toxic unrefined oil dealt
Bodies were dropping dead like raindrops
and feasted on by insects.

Not quite joni mitchell.
Not really funny either.

Women get treated like shit everyday.
Not just me.
Need stronger yoga.

Yoga tip of the day: Dandayamana Dhanurasana
Standing Bow Pulling Pose -
Grab an ankle with your hand push against your hand with your ankle until the leg is rising behind you and away from you glutus maximus, straighten out your raised leg, push the knee until the length of your raised leg forces your spine forward and down. Keep you neck relaxed, chin parallel to the floor. eyes front and centered.

They Shoot Horses Don't They?

Day 68 l 32 to go.

I am tap dancing as fast as I can. Doing my best for everyone around me. Vitriol pushed back at me daily. Frustration over standard business practices and language is monumental. I should not take it personally, but it hurts when you put a little bit of your soul into creating a win-win for everyone and you get the evil eye for a thank you. Not, "thanks you so much, we love this experience, you were a great help. We definitely want you the be the godmother of our children." The love affair with my clients is decidedly a one-way affair. I should stop adopting each person I meet into my own private universal family. I am a sucker for humanity, that is my biggest flaw.

Tuesday's class day killer starts at 9:30am.
Tuesday I should be at work at 7:45 am
Not working Tuesdays is risking too much
And my dog is sick, Again.

Yoga tip of the day: Do all you can, while you can.

One day you cant.

I like Mondays

Day 67 l 33 to go
6 am class
small class
Great way to start the day.

Monday is catch up on tasks day, make phone calls, my favorite day.

Yoga tip of the day: Ardha Kurmasana. Take your time with the set up. It takes me two full 6 count breathes to get fingers to the floor. Keep your arms straight, palms flat, stretching and pressed against your ears throughout the pose.

Miss Dairy Queen

Day 66 l 34 to go

Sunday 9:30 am
Weekend warrior class
mat to mat
A love affair with dairy products. milk cheese butter. And wine - french, Californian, Chilean, south African: the terrior is the oyster After 2 Saturday parties, half glass of champagne at one and and one and one half glasses of glass of pinot noir at the other, Opps on the no alcohol for the rest of this challenge. Literally sweating cheese through my pores. Holy cow (and goat)!

The wine equals sugar, the cheese salt and oil I cannot feel my heart beating in my chest. Late start time class time means arriving fully caffeinated. How can one remain civilized without coffee wine butter cheese and bread? Supportive and crowded class. Made almost every pose.

Yoga Pose Tip of the Day: Pvananuktasana - Wind Removing Pose. Try and align your hips while you are grabbing your elbows and pressing down.

Energizer Bunny

Saturday Class 8:30 am

Day 65 l 35 to go

With two identical outfits and ten identical towels people may assume I am (not?) washing these items every day.

A moldy funk emanates from towels & togs - double washing does not help.

Someone today asked I was still practicing daily.
Yes, the insane daily ritual yoga show keeps rolling forward.

I have not told too many people about this challenge, the yoga rat pack, my one reader, and the instructor. Those who work with me encourage me to keep going - vigorously. How much worse was I?

Yoga tip of the day: Trikanasana Triangle Pose. Don't turn your head too quickly. Move your legs out ankles under wrists. and keep your eyes front while you turn the foot of your bending leg out. Move your palms forward before you move your chin to your shoulder, As you bend your knee over ankle, feel the stretch in your pelvic floor.

Two espresso day before the 4:30 pm class

AIIIIIIII AIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIII AIIIIIIIIIII

Bhopal Buddah

Day 63 l Day Killer 9:30 am class.

my brain vs. gordon liddy's brain

Busy work day. Miss the help from before the great recession. Now without help everything at work is late. Behind. Still out of kibble. Dog is getting skinnier. Left office mid email to make 9:30. late = bad spot. For me, near the oil.

Today front and center, directly over the Bhopal waste site. dropped my mat. The wind blew out the candle. Universe is on my side. Can I do a yoga class and hold my breath at the same time? standing series wasn't too bad, we are at least five feet away from Bhopal but all the parts of the body bugs eat first when you die are on fire. IS body is sending out death & decay signals for bugs to come and munch on lips gums, nose tip, nasal passages, soft pallet, white brain matter. The brain beneath my skull feels dessicated. Head is throbbing, heat and lungs hurt. Lilliputians with chainsaws are sawing up my skull. Why did I crack my egg the wrong way? Why do I care about adding a number to a series so much that I will put myself in this position? I Gordon Liddy with his hand in the flame? The trick about the pain is not to matter.... floor series is impossible, They must be heavy molecules that linger near the floor .

Yoga tip of the day: Tulandasana Balancing stick pose. Keep your neck muscles loose and your head and eyes looking towards the front (mirror), Pull your arms tightly to the sides of your Head and reach the fingertips forwards. Rotate the elevated leg until the top of your foot is parallel to the floor.

Cell Phone Catch 22

A Long Island man, who donated his kidney to his wife, now wants it back as part of the divorce.

These are my people. Why I moved.

Day 62 l :6:00am class

ruined by a cell phone, buzzing on silent for one entire hour.

Maybe the phone owner was waiting for a kidney?

"Your kidney has arrived, the transplant team is in place, you must get to the hospital within 30 minute or you loose it to someone on site.

"sorry I was at yoga, and I did not want to answer my phone."

Let's shoot the phone owner!

Answer the phone or turn it off.

Who needs to bring your cell phone into a yoga studio?

Falling out of pose with each annoying "silent" alarm of the cell phone. Buzz buzz.

Sound's like Lilliputians hacking bodies with tiny chain saws

throwing body parts into a wood chipper.

How would Fargo play with Lilliputians in it?

If we actually had real Lilliputians.

Buzz buzz, fall fall, which person is it in this room

that I actually want to kill?

Buzz Buzz, Fall Fall.

I don't know just shoot them all.

Buzz Buzz, fall fall, tiny people would be good at chopping off toes. Too bad you did not get that kidney in time. Rotten toes is diabetes not renal failure. Buzz buzz, fall fall . LET IT GO. It doesn't matter at all. Buzz buzz, fall, fall, Hey Yossarian, shoot the cell phone commandeer. Yossarian, buzz buzz fall fall, dive bomb the cell phone owner, yoga mat and all. It is the only way to honor the bovine within you. Yossarian? Shoot the cell phone commandeer. Buzz buzz, fall fall. It's a tiny sound, after all. I am out of kibble, will the dog starve? which is the most important thing to do today? The client did not call. I did not work last night. Buzz buzz, fall fall, yoga does not work after all.

Yoga tip of the day: no gun phones in the studio. It is a real trick to hold your ankles, arms, chin up, heels up, knees bent with murderous intent.

Islets of Langerhans

Day 61. Day Killer 9:30 am Class.

First meeting was at 7:20 am.

Coffee and aggravation in a bad outfit pre-class. A daily 6am class is the preferred way to start the day. Not today.

Not sure if I can tell my kidneys from my pancreas.

There is a place *(K?/P?) where your place hands on your lower back now talking to me. Just not sure what is being said.

Is it the Islets of Langerhans declaring, " We will turn on the hormones of your youth, you have such a fabulous half moon back bend, it's the least we can do." Not the pancreas snarling, "Stop all this bending and sweating and get a life."

Yoga pose tip of the day: Half moon pose, the back bend. Dan from Locust Valley Bikram told us we all seemed to be clenching acorns with our butts in the back bend. Drop the acorn. Bending, like the nation should be kinder, gentler. Pull your scapula away from your spine.

Day 60 Class for two

Monday is a class holiday. In the studio with a friend who attends class with me quite regularly. We are going to do a practice on our own. I drive the yoga train and picked up the yoga "rat pack" three or more times a week. The difference between the mat to mat class with an instructor and doing it on our own is timing. After I don't know how many classes, still needed to get up and read the list of poses before heading to the studio to secure it in the mind. Luckily, had help. We did not miss any of the poses. And we did each pose twice. A long pre-class savasana (10 minutes) and started 6:30 am. We finished 15 minutes early at 8:15 am. Timing. the first set a little too fast perhaps? The savasana too quick, maybe. After this chance, I am convinced learning happens best in a classroom. Self taught is not the same. This is the second time I have practiced in a studio without an instructor. This time all the poses were done in the correct order - progress.

Yoga pose tip of the day: Standing separate forehead to knee pose. Arms smushed next to ears, palms flat together, fully engaged in a long stretch for the entire posture.

VO2 Max and mass hysteria

Sunday's Class is mat to mat. This studio has begun it's ascension into critical mass. 32 people in the classroom this morning, it's much more crowded than the calm 8 person yoga studio I walked into last year. There is not an inch to spare. What happens when the 33rd person shows up at the door?

The group concentration in the larger class is interesting.

Breathing matters.

Fick Equation: VO2 max= Q(CaO2- CvO2) Q is cardiac output of the heart CaO2 is the arterial oxygen content and CvO2 is the venous oxygen content. Wonder how this type of yoga effects VO2 max. According to a study at UC Davis in 2001, not really. VO2 max may increase 6-7% and University of Wisconsin says no significant change in VO2 Max or the maximal heart rate. This is per Athleteinme.com & Wikipedia.

Yoga tip of the day:

tomorrow.

The Ties that Bind

Saturday notes posted Sunday
Ropes are better. This is a Peruvian skull where someone bound an infant's head to a board with ropes to elongate the skull. The pressure to be perfect has many forms. It's a negotiable world - The Great Recession is here. Am dying to spend spend spend spend at all the auction houses. Saw the term " There Great Recession" in print today. It's time to stock up on beans and rice. The days in row show rambles forward. The studio is closed on Monday- given access to the secret underground lair so the days in row show will continue Monday with a solo class. Work also is a slow drip. Work is lining up slowly, people are lining up slowly, my hips and knees are lining up slowly, the bills are lining up quickly... need stronger yoga.

Yoga tip of the day: For every pose - move one millimeter at a time, breathe one microsecond at at time. go slow slower slowest. Use your strength gently.

Total Recall

I may be enslaved to my amygdala, but I do know rats are different from us.

New York City Rats - They only go out at night, they are fatter than beavers, have shiny fur coats. They all seem to carry Fendi bags.

Rats have the great "brown fat", which allows them to burn fat fast. Do not trust weight loss drugs developed by testing on rats. They process fat burning much differently. Still talking to my mitochondria about revving up their engines.

They don't have ears though.

NPR did a story erasing stressful memories in rats.

They mess with the rats' amygdala.

Yoga is a tool to avoid the amygdala hijack -

when you wig out, go postal, choose your own term.

Yoga tip of the day: Full Locust Poorna-Salabhasana Each pose is made up of several components working together. Be happy to master a small part of any one pose.

Keep your legs straight, feet and knees together as you lift.

Left Brain Overdrive

Day 58. Day Killer Class at 9:30 am.

Arrive fully caffienated.

First Unyoga thought of the class: Get the bleep out of my mirror space, b***h. It's left brain overdrive ( LBO).

As soon as a conscious decision is made to give anything up, LBO kicks up cravings for stimulants: caffeine, sugar, grease, fat, salt, and chocolate.

Part of the brain knows what to do.

The LBO which beats me down daily.

Needed stronger yoga.

Problem yoga pose: Standing head to knee pose Dandayamana-Janushirasana find myself wishing daily for a double mastectomy, not a good thought.

Will Pamela Anderson ever become too old for her boob job?

Yoga tip of the day: Savasana Dead Man's pose. No not move a muscle, do not flinch, twitch or over manipulate your breathe. See how much of the floor you can feel. How much of you feels the floor back.

Small Changes

Set intention. Think small.

Control the Mitochondria. Organize my Organelle. You have to know your power base to get things done. Increase mitochondrial uncoupling by meditation.

6:30 pm class last night. 6:00 am class today. Energy at the end of day class interesting. Easy physically, tougher mentally. The afternoon class was more alert. I love the 6:00 am class. Still in dream state, the dawn, or just ahead of the sun. Each day a nice new quiet clean slate upon which endless possibilities manifest. Easier to set intention. A determined belief in dictatorial control over mitochondria.

Oddest thought in class: What do callus's on my knees say about me as a person?

Yoga Pose problem of the day: Bow. Pulling my leg out and into the air above my waist line had spinning around like a dog chasing her tail. made two complete circles on my mat. Very 3 Stooges. Mind inside crying, "whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop." No mistake.

Yoga pose tip of the day: Ardha Kurmasana Half Tortoise pose Slowly with a full breathe bring your arms over your head. Move your spine up and straight out. The slow exhales stretches you as you guide your pinkie fingers to the floor.

Smelly Dog Syndrome (SDS)

Monday morning 6:00 am class. New week begins.

Mentioned the no alcohol intention for the rest of the challenge.

It is now real. There are witnesses. This will be super super duper simple. Frontopolor forces of the brain tend to lead us around by nose.

A Psychological need of the American consumer: # 7 To see living things thrive

Why they Buy: American Consumers Inside and Out. (1989) Robert B. Settle and Pamela L. Alreck

That is why I love my dog even when she smells.

Today's intention. Breathe easy.

Rattling thought that made me fall out of a pose. "Bullets, Booze & Blonds" Fatal ingredients in the Making of The Great 20th Century American Writer

Yoga pose tip of the day: Padangustasana Toe Stand Pose. Concentrate on one spot on the floor in front of you as you move down from tree. Use your hands and fingers to support you as you sink to your heels.

Sunday afternoon 4:30 pm class. 52 down, 48 to go. Not too crowded may 18 people in the class. The right size class. I am in the corner. My intention for this class is to take it easy, feel the floor supporting me. I've been bitten by mosquito's and have spotty legs. I have received a gift of corporate schwagg (sp?) from a client - A canvas Levi's tote bag, made in USA. (!) Made in San Rafael -local!

I accept happily and re purpose it as a yoga bag.

Silent class, Everyone here is a regular. The whole class is in sync. more noises from the lower spine proceed gently, ever so gently - visions of the UC Orthopedic Ward pop into the brain. My dad told me today he really cannot walk any longer.

I think the answer is enriched packed blood platelet stem cell therapy for ligament and joint treatments. Something I read in the times? Knees still don't work well.

Wonder If I caught displaysia from the dogs. Forehead and knee yet to meet.

Yoga pose/tip of the day: Ustrasana Camel Pose: support your lower back as you slowly drop your head to drop as far back as your eyes will take you. Push your heart high towards the ceiling, eyes traveling past the back wall to the bottom of your mat.