Went to my usual 10:30 AM class this morning, which is probably one of my favorite classes all week because of both the small size and the instructor.

I'm definitely plateauing. I'm tired and sore. But I can work through all that because I recognize the positive effects that are manifesting themselves in my life. Also, we did handstands and full wheel backbends this morning, so that always help motivate me.

On a related note, I downloaded my first audio book for my iPod, "Light on Life" by B.K.S. Iyengar, an adaptation of his "Light on Yoga". I'm about halfway through right now, and it's proving to be helpful in my understanding of the underlying philosophy and history of the practice. It's also a lot to take in, and so I can't really type much about it as I'm still digesting it all.

So I have less than a week left in the maha. I plan to get my card framed when I'm done and hang it on a wall. I've never done anything like this before, and despite my fatigue - or maybe because of it - I've never been more proud of myself about anything I've ever done.

Labels: iPod, Iyengar, personal, yoga

I don't think I'll be doing another 6:30 AM class anytime soon. I hardly even remember what happened.

So sadly, there won't be much of a day 23 update today.

In other news, I've become totally addicted to my iPod, and podcasts in particular. On my current podcast playlist: Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac, a bunch of Meditation Station episodes, Merrian-Webster's Word of the Day, The New York Times (weekday highlights, Front Page, Movie Reviews, Theatre Reviews, Washington Report, The Ethicist, and World View), Savage Love (Dan Savage is a lot kinder in his podcast than he tends to be in his column), and The Onion Radio News.

And now I'm going to look for audio books.

Labels: iPod, personal, podcasts, yoga

Two-thirds of the way through. And it seems like just yesterday I was only one-third of my way there.

Very crowded class tonight. Decent workout, but I don't think I got much out of it spiritually. There was some point about looking inward and shutting off some of the senses to augment others. Part of the practice tonight was done with eyes closed, which was an interesting experience.

There was some particular focus on the intercostals, which was a good stretch. At one point, we were doing a side twist in a lunge with the help of a partner. I essentially was in a forward lunge, twisting pretty much to the point where my back was almost resting on my lunged forward leg. That was pretty cool. I feel totally loose in my side torso right now.

I think I have what's been described to me as "Monkey Mind", usually following meditation. My brain is all over the place, I'm distracted and a little loopy. It happens sometimes apparently when the practice interrupts a lot of other crap going. Not that there's any particular crap, but there's enough, I guess.

Off topic: I bought myself and iPod nano from Amazon.com. They're running a promotion with audible.com where you get a $100 instant rebate off compatible mp3 players when you commit to 12 months of the audible service. I basically got my iPod for less than half price. I never thought that I was much of a music listener, but I have more than 400 mp3's on my computer, so I guess I'm a little more into it than I thought. Since I'll be making lots more trips between Phoenix and Tucson with my new job, this will definitely help with the tedium of those drives. Now I just need to find an FM transmitter that fits my nano. The one I ordered from Amazon with my nano only fits the first generation nanos and mine is second generation. Damn.

Labels: iPod, nano, personal, yoga