Where has the week gone?

I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted. Just shows that being busy doesn't actually equate to being interesting. I've been teaching, playing at the beach, enjoying family and friends, and just breathing... in... out... repeat...

My classes last night were more effortless than they have been lately. I just let go and let myself be more free and honest with the class than I have been since the beginning of term. It's amazing how much deeper a practice can go when you begin to develop real connections between people. AHHHHHH... this is the part I love about teaching. Knowing that I make a difference in someone's life if only for a few precious minutes is the ultimate gift. Last night definitely felt as if I was giving "value for money" to put it crassly. I had several students tell me they came into the class "cranky" and left much more relaxed and balanced. What more can you ask for?

Hope this blog finds you easing into joy as well.

Hugs,

Jan

Wednesday Warriors

I spent my day connecting with people today. From sharing laughs in Simon's WILD Wednesday yoga class (officially now called "LaLaLand"), to catching up with dear friends over lunch, to finally spending quality time with my mom and Izzy over yogurt and Halloween costumes, today was definitely about getting in touch. This can be so exhausting for me but so essential as well. To share with friends, family, and acquaintances the ups and downs of our lives is what being present is really about. Today I heard about five friend's health problems, family struggles, and job worries. We also managed to weave about 25 giggles and guffaws into all of this strife. Not a bad ratio really. I hope you have equally nourishing interactions with folks in your sphere of influence as well.

Happy Wednesday,

Jan

p.s. I really want to make some new circles in different countries on my ClusterMap placed on the right side of this blog. Could you please forward my blog to friends in other places so I can start seeing spots?

Thanks,

Jan

Profound thoughts on toilets

I want to rewind for a moment to my experience at Bushi-tei restaurant in San Francisco. Yes, the food was extraordinary and I had Baramundi to die for, but let's talk toilets for a moment. I know this won't make it into most food reviews but the toilet at Bushi-tei was so remarkable that even now many days later I'm still longing for a repeat visit to the loo.

It was a Toto Japanese toilet and it did everything but blow my nose for me. Seriously, this toilet had the works. Heated seat, front and back sprays, air drying for the tush, you name it. The funny thing was that it didn't really flush well, took 3 tries to finally perform the function you most readily expect from a toilet. Oh well, you can't have everything.

Here's an article about this toilet to give you more info about it. Now I know this makes me a real hayseed to be blogging about this toilet but I can't help it. I want one. Now. I don't know if I can go another day with out having my bum anointed and cosseted.

As luck would have it, just two weeks ago the seat of one of our toilets broke and I was shopping for a new seat at Home Depot. I flirted with a soft cushy model and a quiet lid-closing model but now that I've experienced heaven in porcelain, I don't think I can just settle for a boring old toilet again.

Oh well, such were my thoughts when I woke up today. I'll have to teach a LOT of yoga to be able to afford the Toto of my dreams though.

Happy Saturday to you all from the still slightly wounded turtle,

Jan

No worries

I am profoundly grateful for so many things and one of them is Ibuprofen. Taken sparingly this little drug is somewhat miraculous. I'm actually in very little pain this evening and was able to teach my class with very few modifications. The forward fold with wide legs was a little intense but otherwise all is good.

I'm enjoying being back into my teaching mode and I hope I just continue to grow and blossom as a teacher. I still have much to learn but as long as I'm giving students nourishing and relaxing classes I feel good about my teaching. Of course, the balance between satisfying students who want a more athletic experience versus the relaxation faction is always challenging. Oh well, I've come to terms with the fact that you can't satisfy all of the people all of the time.

The weather turned cool here after a mini heatwave and I for one am happy. Hubby is a bit out of sorts as he is Mr. Tropical but I'm always happier to feel a breeze in the air.

Take care and learn from my mistakes.... look before you turtle,

Jan

Ow says the turtle...

Having a great week just beebopping along and then WHAM I did it. Let my ego override good common sense and put myself into turtle pose without appropriate caution. Next thing I know I'm hobbling around the house putting icepacks in weird places. It's so typical... the class was OVER... I was just trying to show off I guess. I don't know what got into me but I just thought it would be an easy pose to demonstrate to a student. What a mistake. At least I know how silly I was and won't do it again. (I hope!) Anyway, I have to teach a beginners class tomorrow and it should be interesting to say the least. Say an OHMMMMM for me please!

Happy Wednesday,

Jan

Back from San Francisco

Wow... wow... wow. We had a blast.

Highly Recommend:
Bushi-tei restaurant--- THE MOST AMAZING MEAL I'VE EVER HAD!!!!
Alcatraz Island --- made it there and back- it was a great audio tour and very moving.
Spring Awakening --- Winner of 8 Tony Awards. This was a mesmerizing and thought provoking play... BUT DEFINITELY NOT FOR KIDS!!!!
Laughter Yoga ---- We laughed so much that it hurt, literally.
Angie & Martha's Hair Salon --- Family forced me into having my hair colored (for the first time) cut and styled. Angie and Martha were nice, funny, and reasonably priced. I LOVE MY NEW LOOK!

Gotta run but I'll post more later. Tomorrow is the start of the fall teaching schedule and I can't wait to get back to it.

Hope you are well and have a highly recommend list too!

Long time between blogs....

Sorry for the absence but what with school starting back and family here it's been a little busy. I went for a nice walk around Commonwealth Lake yesterday and saw the most amazing creature... This blue heron!!!. Unbelievable. We faced each other from a distance of just a few yards and I finally bowed to this noble creature and continued on my walk with a greater lightness in my step. I am so lucky to live around the different creatures and flora of the Pacific Northwest.

I'm leaving tomorrow for a San Francisco getaway with my mom and sister and we will be staying at The Clift Hotel and dining at Bushi-Tei the first night. Talk about decadence! But the next night we will be participating in a laughter yoga club and that is what I am MOST looking forward to. I will try to find time soon for a nice long catchup blog.

Hope this finds you all in good spirits and good health,

Jan

Sad, bad, glad....

Sorry for the break between posts. So much to talk about with so little time to blog.

So although I am thankful that Gustav wasn't as bad as it could be and my friends Lisa and Nathan escaped with minimal damage to their home, all is not well. Unfortunately Lisa's Dad is in hopsice as of today and after a very long illness, her dad is slowly seeping out of this world. It just proves that the universe is always giving us messages to think about. How important is a house in the great scheme of things? Isn't losing a beloved parent another kind of homelessness? How do we maintain balance when Hurricane Life cruelly sweeps away our roots? I guess I'm feeling this even more keenly as Lisa and I have been best friends since 5th grade and we grew up together. We shared parents back and forth so not only does it feel as if I'm losing one of my own, it reminds me of the frailty of my parents as well.

Okay, on to the mildly bad. My van blew up this week. Two new tires, all new brakes, and major repairs to go. The front tire blew as I was coming back from a relaxing Yoga Nidra practice with Simon on Monday. Talk about going from Zen to Fren (as in frenetic)in no time flat! (ha ha) It's been a source of frustration to me but thankfully I can keep my perspective and as the repairman told me today, "this is just a speedbump to get over." Also, I'd like to share my gratitude for the nicest guy who stopped to help me and changed the flat tire for me without any fuss or trouble. Thank you to David from Verizon Wireless who certainly deserves only good things to happen to him. May someone always be there for you too.

And finally the tremendously glad. Izzy started back to school today and is for the very first time completely happy. She loves her teacher, friends, and school. This is something that makes me so filled with joy for her that it feels like it's own kind of miracle for me. She is so rarely completely at ease in any situation that it is really something to celebrate. So we are.

Okay, that's the last few days for me condensed. I hope the universe is treating you with great nurturing and support.

With gladness for good friends and family,

Jan