Outside the Studio 44*F
Inside the Studio 99*F
Eleventh class
Lead by Micheal


Knowing that I show up to the studio sometimes when there is no scheduled class, I double checked the ZenSpot website today. When I got to the studio, the place was packed. I looked at the clock thinking I was late. There was one spot open so I put my mat and drink down. I was going to be in the front row again. Eventually we all settled in and began the exposition of yoga.

There were quite a few newcomers, part of the reason it was so full, and I have to say that each and everyone of them made such great efforts to bring their inner yogini/yogi out. It is a hard class, no joke. Even though I am familiar with the asanas and have been practicing since January, the workout is not easy for me. But it is wonderful. I hope that these newcomers will find something about hot yoga that really turns them on and that they will continue to practice.

Bound Forward Fold, also known in Sanskrit as Ardha Baddha Padomottanasana, where I wrap one arm under my thigh towards the back and the other arm comes back over my hip to reach fingertips with the first hand, is becoming easier. But Ustrasana did not come to completion today. I even told myself I could do it before attempting to do so. I got one hand to an ankle but that right hand could not reach the right ankle. No Camel today. C'est la vie!

A lady stopped me in the grocery store the other day; she recognized me from class and asked how I was doing. It was nice to connect with her and I appreciate being recognized. Sometimes, though, it's hard to honestly be present when someone from class starts talking to you in the parking lot and you're still dripping with sweat and just want to get in the car and they're going on about how yoga has changed their life and "Kelli and Michael are the most amazing instructors, and ya, and I can't read the physical signals your making to communicate that you're ready to move on...so I'll just keep talking." I understand that some people are chatty, some are lonely, some go to yoga to socialize, but some are very respectful of space and sound, and I like that.

My experience, in ten short months, has made me question why I continually find the same quadrant of a room to practice: back, left corner. What is it about this particular space that I find comforting or familiar? Numerous practitioners I've spied have this same habit of choosing the same spot to lay their mats. Are we so stuck in our ways that we don't even question this reoccurring positioning? I want to know what this means! Is it training from school, where we were expected to sit at "our" desk for 16 years? Are we scared to move our mats? How did the ancient yogis decide where to practice?

I can make it to two more classes before Thanksgiving but there will be quite a stretch when the studio will be closed. Can't find my current issue of Yoga Journal. I hope I will make time to practice during the break. Contemplating vegetarianism...