Sick Yogini...

Booo...Boo on me...I haven't practiced in a few days. Call it laziness or lack of will, but I just haven't felt well. This should've motivated me to practice MORE...to practice through the *blahness*...but when the body says, "Oooo, no no no....whoa..." I try to pay attention. I think it's tension from school, lots of homework and pressure, and just general fatigue that has gotten me no where besides my bed and in front of this horribly addicting thing we call the internet. :-p Anyway- tomorrow...(or shall I say today?) it's back to the mat...back to Ole Blue. :) Blessings! (Just 4 weeks until teacher training begins! YAY!)

A WONDERFUL hamstring stretch...and your beginning step to sun salutation! Remember, knees can always be bent for you tightly wound people. :) Never strain or you never gain!

Down dog

Energy boosting down dog! :)

Backbends

This is Camel pose or "Ustrasana". It's a great backbend. To make this pose easier (for a beginner), as you can see, toes are turned under. Regardless of the modification, it stretches the front of your legs, but if you're not warmed up, it can cause severe back injury. So, moral of the story: BE CAREFUL and BE EASY!!! You'll get more out of it in the long run! :) Namaste!

This is theee wonderful Michelle Stobart. That pose is nothing less than amazing! :)

Training course requirements...OMG....

With $400 invested in the courses alone (plus around $200 for books and supplies)....one might ask "what are the requirements?" Well, besides the mandatory attendance to the weekend meetings, the following must be completed as well:

16 Attended Yoga classes
10 Assisted Yoga classes
8 Yoga class observations
8 hours of Karma Yoga
12 hours Electives
18 hours silent meditation practice
25 hours scriptural study
Documentation of these 200+ hours

YAH- you read right...yeeeeowzah! Let the busy-ness begin! *breathing in and out*

Karma Schedule...

Hello all! :) Karma classes begin in August! I'm super excited!! While these dates aren't mandatory, they're highly recommended by Michelle Stobart (the yoga instructor who will teach the courses)...you should all check out her website: www.inhaleyoga.org Michelle is a totally wonderful lady. I can't wait to meet her and learn from her. :)

Thursday, Aug. 9 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Monday, Aug. 13 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, Aug. 15 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Monday, Aug. 20 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, Aug. 22 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Monday, Aug. 27 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, Aug. 29 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, Aug. 30 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm

OF COURSE....grad school and my courses ALWAYS come first. Teaching yoga is definately in my future, but focusing on classes is main priority. Anywa- I won't be able to begin the Karma courses until the 20th. IF per chance anyone is reading this blog and is in the Athens are and wants to come with- you know how to reach me. :)

First things first...

Well, this will be my first blog entry. I'm wondering if anyone will ever read this or if this will just be my personal space to list my thoughts, actions, and daily activities...hmmm. *pondering* ;) Whatever the case may be, I'll leave it at that. :)

Classes for yoga instructor teaching begin in 6 weeks and I have been upping my daily practice at home. I feel like I'm starting yoga for the first time!! I try to keep a peaceful mind, as I usually do, when I am doing the poses, but with every balance and bead of sweat I think, "Oh crap...I wonder if anyone else is *this* poorly tuned..." or "When the instructors see me they're going to think, 'who let that disaster in here?'..." Then I cringe. I guess this is the beginning of the journey. :) I'm sure that all yoga teachers have gone through the "I'm not good enough" phase...errr.....at least I kind of hope they have. :-p ;)

Ok, that's basically it for now. :)