Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!

Meant to sound like "Toga, Toga, Toga" from "Animal House."
I did make it to the 6 a.m. class last Friday. When we entered the room, the lights were very dim. It made me want to go back to sleep. Except that there are these really hard core chicks who take this class who obviously have made yoga their way of life and are able to do all the inversions and positions and stuff that I may never do in my lifetime (not that I'm judging my yoga practice, Lindsey says not to judge but to stay in the present. whatever.)
Anyway, I got through the class but was very happy to take Saturday and Sunday off from yoga. I had a regular work-out with my trainer on Monday and then went to Lindsey's class yesterday afternoon. It was a full class but I'm starting to get the hang of some of the "flow." And Lindsay is getting the hang of my looks that say "Uh, that pose ain't happenin' quite yet.) Like crow. Where people are on their heads with their hands on either sides of their heads and their knees balanced on their elbows. Seriously. Just picture that. And, not to be picky, but I've never seen a crow do that either. But hey, as a priest, there's LOTS that I just have to take on faith...I'm just sayin'...
Tomorrow afternoon Lindsey is teaching a "restorative yoga" class. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
In terms of the whole organic/local eating stuff: husband NOT HAPPY that I spent extra money on organic tomatoes. But they sure tasted good and even my youngest daughter has begun asking for them on her sandwiches. I'll find other ways to make husband happy and continue to shop as wisely and healthfully as I can. And also remember to take the pricetags off the tomatoes.
Peace,
RevMutha

drinking the yoga Koolaid

I'm not quite hooked.
But I'm getting there.
I did another class with Lyndsey today.
She rocks.
It was awesome. I still have lots to learn but I come out feeling tired and clean. (even though I'm drenched with sweat.)
I'm planning to attend another class at 6 a.m.
We'll see if it happens.
My next blogs will talk about my foray into making homemade mozzarella cheese. Yep. I think I also have been drinking the Barbara Kingsolver koolaid. These times, they are a changing. The whole idea that we (and by we I mean every single one of us) need to change our actions to reverse the damage we've done to this planet is immediate and serious. Everyone has to do what they can. Eat local. Buy local. Don't shop mindlessly.
Okay, enough preaching for now. I got to get to bed so I can get up early in the a.m.! More tomorrow!
RevMutha

The Day After

I loved the yoga class.
The instructor was great. She encouraged all of us to go at our own rate and push ourselves when we were ready but the way she said it made me want to work harder. She reminded me of my trainer, Jenny, who gently challenged me--she made it more of an invitation than an obligation.
I think this is a translatable message in my parish. I want people to move into a deeper relationship with God and each other because that is what they are capable of doing. Yes, at first it can seem foreign and uncomfortable. But once you've been at it for a while, it becomes a life practice. I can't imagine a life without my faith. I can't imagine a life where I didn't value religious pluralism. Fundamentalism in just about any form scares the hell out of me.
I'm currently reading a great book called "Acts of Faith" by Eboo Patel (published by Beacon Press.) It is fantastic and I highly recommend it.
In the meantime, I'm checking the website for the yoga studio to see when Lindsay is teaching again.
Peace,
RevMutha

Back to Yoga--Class #5

I've been to a total of 4 yoga classes in my life. The first one, with my dear friend, JBB, liked to kilt me. (That's a southern expression which, translated, means "almost killed me.) The room was so hot that my yoga mat felt like a slip n slide. And the class was filled with old pros who had no trouble with the positions. They all were very flexible and meditative. Me: not so much.
The second class I went to was a very beginner class and it wasn't so hard (except for one pose that involved being upside down but I used that as an opportunity for a water break.) The third class was still pretty intense but the instructor was young and willing to answer my questions. The fourth class was with the teacher that taught the first class and it still liked to kilt me.
I was out of town all last week and didn't do any yoga. But I will go back to class at 4 p.m. today. I haven't taken a class with this instructor, Lindsay, because she is substituting for the owner who is taking a three week yoga class in the Mexican Desert. I am thinking that I might try to get more into yoga--I bought a key card that is good for 11 classes--and, if nothing else, it will give me more material for stand-up comedy routines. It is definitely time to get back on stage.
Ommm.
RevMutha

Where did the summer go?

Well, since it's about 85 degrees, it's certainly still here...
But in terms of the days/weeks/months, it flew by.
I've been busy, busy, busy.
Spent two weeks in Anaheim, California at the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. I believe we passed some good legislation. And the daily worship fed my heart and soul. After GC, I met my wonderful hubby in Northern California to spend a few days with some fabulous friends...Great food, great company, and much needed rest. Came home, unpacked, and then picked up my little reds from three weeks at camp! I don't know who was happier--the parents or the campers! But there was much rejoicing on both sides. After a couple of weeks at home, all the family gathered at Pompanuck for a reunion week. Now we're back and I'm trying to take some time to reflect and think about Next Steps.
Whew.
I did start going to a vinyasa yoga class, thanks to my friend, Jennifer. This probably is a good spiritual discipline for me because it is not an appropriate venue to crack jokes. I have to keep my inside thoughts and comments inside. Which Is Not Easy. But at least I can share them with y'all here so stay tuned.
Still haven't been able to run because of the hip injury...I keep planning to see the doctor. Now I'll make an appointment although this blog will NOT turn into the place for me to discuss my medical problems--that'd be boring as hell and at 43 I'm not quite ready to go there.
We'll see if I can get into regularly blogging again. It was great while I was running--so maybe it can be my yoga blog. As If.
But hey, you never know.
Peace,
RevMutha