Such a great day today :D Other than feeling sore when I woke up, I was completely energized and all smiles. Things have really changed for me. Others have noticed too. I used to always talk about how *tired* or uninspired I was and I think I have turned a corner. That shadow/feeling of doubt seems to have vanished. I feel less afraid of change and more driven to accomplish things each day. It was helpful to hear Jason say the paradigm "time management" has shifted to "energy management." It just makes so much more sense.
I woke up, got ready for work. Stopped at Starbucks (the first time in over three months) and used a gift card I received for Christmas. I asked my boss if he would like anything but he declined. I showed up to work about 10 minutes early, barely any traffic. Got in the groove. Have a lot of work to do still this coming week (and perhaps always will!) but I was busy from 7 a.m. until 5:10 p.m. when it was time to go! I did take a lunch break, albeit it was not a yogi meal by any standard. I had a lot of conversation with my boss who brought me chili from Wendy's. We sat in the conference room together and watched the mid-day news. MLK day. More mention of the Polar Vortex/cold front heading our way... anyway, it was a short lunch and kind of rushed (did not take my full hour break) and went back to work. No one was forcing me to forfeit my break or work non-stop but like I said, I was grooving.
After work I went home, enjoyed the fire that Bryce and Pippa had started. Ate some left over pizza, again not a yogi meal by any standard. I ate while talking on the phone to my Mom. After a short break and some time chatting with BP, I headed out to Lifetime. I took Jennifer's 60 minute Slow Burn class at 7:00. It was just my speed today. I needed time to stretch and sweat. I think a vinyasa flow class would have been too strenuous with the effort I exuded Saturday and Sunday, but it was good to move my body just the same. Jennifer has such a calming voice and pleasing cadence. I always feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be. After working hard she has a way of breathing/sighing... kind of coooo'ing to us. It feels like a breeze, permission to relax. Ooze into a pose/counterpose. There was a time during my practice when I noticed my thoracic spine just became more malleable (it was when I switched from warrior one to reverse warrior). I heard my spine kind of pop and squish -- a new level of compression I guess! It was awesome feeling like my spine could bend in all directions. We started with side-to-side stretches, then abduction in upward facing dog and adduction in downward facing dog. Felt further spine goodness in our crescent prayer twists. I also loved when she took the time to step on my feet during practice (I remember once Ryan did this to me too, I would LOVE to learn how to do this for others, it feels SO amazing). She gave us a few logs (held boat twice and some sort of upward bow). She really pushed the group to their edge, you got the feeling/sense of urgency from her voice as if the class was really struggling but that they needed to make it through this phase to get somewhere in life. I had my eyes closed but I sensed her talking in all directions (audible to each individual, not focused on anyone in particular). After we closed the class, she mentioned a little bit about respect and giving the class an honest try. There were several times during the class that I could hear the door open and close and I assume she was addressing those who had decided to leave (although the remainder of us had stayed). I think it was good she spoke her mind and brought it up because that behavior changes the energy of the whole group, not to mention makes the teacher feel like they aren't doing a good enough job.
I spoke with Jennifer after class and introduced myself. I think I have done this on numerous occasions but I wanted to be sure she knew how much I appreciated her class and the way she reached out to me (and others) during the class. Contact is so important. She asked if I had any other feedback and I just tried to affirm her teaching, as I could not come up with anything to critique her on to change at the time.
Jan and Eric arrived, urged me to stay but I had to get home. I did stop at Lunds first and did a little shopping, but now I am home and preparing for bed. Going to meditate first as I haven't gotten a chance to do so yet today but that is next before sleep! Going to dim the lights in my room and sit in silence (BP are in the next room watching television or playing a game, I can't really be sure).
I am thankful for the energy and enthusiasm I have felt this day. I am grateful for my ability to share my energy with others. I hope to carry this energy forward into my day-to-day life. Why not live ecstatically? I know that to experience life one must have highs and lows; we must experience the yin and the yang... but hopefully with yoga intertwined the intensity doesn't have to be so extreme. May it all become manageable. Namaste.
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