February 6, 2014: Tea Time

I am grateful that I took the opportunity to meet with Michael, Patience, Tova, Kody, Mark, Al, Molly and Angela today at Verdant Tea in Minneapolis.  We started with a Yin session at 7 p.m. and then between 8 and 9 p.m. sampled three different types of tea.  This was my first non-Lifetime class since September.  It was a nice introspective process which proved a positive way to be social in a group out in the world/in a new setting.  It even felt right to have a Yin session at a tea shop where others come and go in conversation -- as Angela our instructor said, "it's real life, things keep going on and changing but we can focus in and let the rest be back ground noise."  A new way to get through the day!  When things seem crazy around us, we can just tune it out.  Not in an arrogant way, but as a means to not further provoke the craziness!

I am excited to see Allie tomorrow; haven't spent time with her in about a year and a half.  It will be good to catch up.

For my yoga meal today I had left over Chinese food.  Lots of fresh veggies :)  I love it when a meal looks colorful.  Sometimes plates can look "blah" but this was not.  Bright/deep green peppers, solid orange carrots, brown mushrooms, yellow corn, lighter green pea pods on a bed of fried rice with tender pieces of chicken breast.  I also had a glass of whole milk, which was refreshing.  I notice when drinking the milk how restored I feel.  I have been drinking tea and water all day, this is just so different, nourished rather than astringently cleansed or washed out.  I felt full but did not eat/put more than two handfuls of food on my plate.  I did not talk with my mouth full but I did look at my phone twice, once for the time and once to write a text message... shame!  Need to just leave it in another room on silent so as to not even tempt myself.  I did remain seated and it had been four hours since my previous meal.  I ate one biteful at a time and did chew it to completion before swallowing, so at least I did that right!

Need to do my meditation next before bed.  It's been a busy day with work from 7-5, then helping Amy with her car, then coming home to eat dinner, then going to the yoga practice/tea ceremony.  Oh, I was also excited to learn about a Yin yoga teacher training intensive in March offered by a Michelle PW at the Yoga Center in Minneapolis.  Must investigate, interested.  Goodnight all!