Mindfulness

Oh, long lost blog, i have not forgotten thee

2005-04-29T21:49:00.000-05:00

Hi blog. Lately i've just been overwhelmed by the thought of picking a dissertation topic. I mean the thought itself is a crushing weight that upsets me greatly if i think about it too much. If i don't think about it consciously, it still sneaks up on me. Why can't i just do what i want and why do i have to think of something that will cost several grand to actually accomplish. Yuck.

On the fun front, i'm still working on the June 5th yoga event to benefit Susan G. Komen. That brings me a lot of happiness...doing something larger than yourself, creating synergy, excitement, a community. It's pretty powerful and I'm looking forward to kicking some butt to do something HUGE next year. Like, HUGE, dude.

Anyway, I can't tell you about it.

One fabulous movie by Miranda July: "Me, You, and Everyone We know" -- go to her website, read about it, but don't read too much, cause this movie will absolutely surprise and delight you. I can't find the words to express the beauty in it. Wow.

Another movie entitled something like "What the Bleep do We know" reminded me of back when i was a college nerd, the president of the honors program there, and how groups of us used to watch movies and discuss them afterwards over pizza or ethnic food. It was deep, but nothing totally new there. However, i needed to be reminded of its message which was that we don't always have to be REACTIVE to our environment, but we can CREATE our environment as well. Kind of like setting an intention and having it become manifest. Something like we tell ourselves in yoga.

Lessons Learned: Yoga for A Cause

2005-04-14T08:43:00.000-05:00

Where do I begin? The Yoga for public health week was a small success. Despite NUMEROUS emails to local groups to garner their support, the only people who showed were the regular students, my students (and people from work), and perhaps one or two people who found out about the event through the website or an email. That in itself was a little disheartening -- however, I decided to take Susan's advice the day before and to think about how many people I wanted for the class. I decided on 20. And, that's what I got! 20 people exactly for the class, including Susan. So, instead of a normal Saturday morning class with 4 or 5 students, there were 20 students practicing yoga for a good cause. That felt really good.

Here's a break down of good stuff/not so good stuff:

1. GOOD STUFF
-bagels and raffle prizes (note to self, try to get food donated next time)
-promoting at work a week or two before the event as a reminder. too much more than that and people don't remember

2. NOT GO GOOD STUFF
-don't plan event during cherry blossom festival in washington dc.
-don't email people too far ahead
-don't offer event too early in the morning, especially saturday
-make the cause more relevant and need to engage local groups

Hulhum, I guess that's it.

I'm already starting the Yoga Class for the Cure event to benefit Susan G. Komen Foundation. I'm definitely going to keep in mind the important lessons from this event. Stay tuned.

Yoga for a Cause

2005-04-07T09:41:00.000-05:00

Well, this coming Saturday is the first charity event at Thrive. The Yoga for National Public Health week was my idea and Thrive graciously agreed to host a donation-only event on saturday, to benefit American Heart Association and Jewish Council for the Aging. I'm nervous about the turnout and I really hope the event is a success. I'm not expecting much in the way of donations, but since the Gazette will be there, i just would like a decent turnout. Oy. I will have to report back here with a "lessons learned" section so I can remember the strengths of what we have done, and maybe the things we might have done so well.

Stay tuned.
For those of you reading in the Rockville area,
Saturday April 9th, 9:00-10:30am at Thrive Yoga in Rockville, 1321-B Rockville Pike. Donation-only class. Hope to see ya!

-Rachel

Nothing like exercise

2005-04-01T07:27:00.000-06:00

I have to remind myself that there is nothing like exercise to boost my mood. I was in a horrible state yesterday. There are some work issues that never seem to resolve themselves. After 40 minutes on the elliptical, i was a new person. I think i need some sort of cue to remind me of this when i dread getting on the machines.

Bleh.

2005-03-31T09:16:00.000-06:00

For the love of Bichon. Can you stand the cuteness? I love this dog more than life itself. Well, maybe not that much. You get the idea.

Picture of me...more forthcoming

2005-03-30T19:02:00.000-06:00

This is my picture from 2002 -- I am here in all my glory. This is how Howard found me...

Conflicting yoga feelings

2005-03-27T18:48:00.000-06:00

Could something I love so much inspire contrary feelings? I think so. Today i was absolutely exhausted while practicing. My legs were so sore and my shoulders and elbow were bothering me again. I felt old and completely worn down. I am wondering if something took the joy out of my practice today? Injury -- yes, likely? Boredom? Yes, that's likely. It's a constant struggle that i'm having lately. How do we eschew boredom, or should we embrace it?

My husband doesn't understand the concept of boredom. He can always find something to do. I need to study him a little bit more and maybe that will give me the key to enlivening my practice.

Back from Vacation

2005-03-23T12:36:00.000-06:00

I'm back from sunny Tampa. I was on a 3-day vacation seeing my family -- nice to go there, nice to come back. It seems like whenever I'm home, it's chaotic. Still, always nice to reconnect.

I also saw some friends from grad school who i haven't seen for 5 years. It's embarassing that is has been that long, but still -- like old times. I visited Jen Copeland (Rohr) and met her son, Zach. We both agreed that she and i are aging quite well! We also thanked eachother for being in the same Master's program. Otherwise, i think we'd have gone insane. I mean, who really belives that Epi and Biostats are fun? Well, i suppose I did at times.

Jenny was with me on the flight back. She had a great time with her guy and i admitted to looking him up on his band's website. When i asked Howard about the band (not to be named here!) he said, yeah, they're a big deal! Oh well, what do i know?

I just ate two hamentashen and feel the need to confess that here. One would have been enough.
Speaking of gluttony, i'm reading a book with that word as it's title. The historical development of what it means to be a glutton, part of a seven-part series on the seven infamous sins. Quite intriguing. The premise is that gluttony is not so horrible in itself, as compared to greed, sloth, etc...but that the consequences of gluttony can be damaging. I'll agree.

Serendipity

2005-03-21T14:46:00.000-06:00

Met a really cool girl in the security line at the airport the other day. I'm glad she was there, we both needed someone to talk to. She is bright, accepting, jewish (i knew it), and is going through something exciting. How cool to connect given my disdain for flying. The 2 1/2 hour flight went by in 5 minutes.

Jenny, let's hope your weekend is all you had hoped for!

People should take notice. There are random people who float in and out of our lives. If we ignore the lessons they teach us or the conversations and bits of wisdom they pass on, we are really missing the essence of this short life.

-Rachel

Other peoples' kids

2005-03-21T14:45:00.000-06:00

Yeah, not so thrilled with them. Do other people really enjoy them, or is it just an act?

The Things I Consider Beautiful

2005-03-12T13:37:00.000-06:00

When i come across real beauty it usually evokes some strong emotion. While this list certainly isn't limited to "objects" or "things", the first two items in this listing fall under that domain. I was just struck by them.

1. B-Tribe's music, in particular, the CDs "Spiritual Spiritual" and "Sensual Sensual".
2. The Chinese Movie, "The Road Home". A beautiful love story with exquisite acting by the female character. She embodies longing.
3. Taking a walk in sunny 50-degree weather. Sitting outside a starbucks, drinking dunkin donuts coffee. Ah, the simple pleasures.

3/13/2005
4. I subbed today for a lunchtime hatha class. It's quite different from the vigorous style I teach. I could have alienated the class by teaching in my traditional way, but i adapted. The class flowed beautifully, i think i read the room well. So the barcelona melodies of B-tribe strummed in the background and the class ended with a namaste and a seated ovation. Now, that's beautiful! Clapping in a yoga class? How wonderful!

3/15/2005
5. The film, "Lost in Translation". I watched it again for the second time and fell in love with it. This time I felt the suspense and tension between the characters and I saw how both Bob and Charlotte needed to be understood. Favorite scenes: meat eating and talking in the bed.
A ring-a-ding-ding.

Enter Music Recommendations for Yoga Classes Here

2005-03-09T07:41:00.000-06:00

Please include cd title, length, and artist!

Music that is Delectable for Yoga

2005-02-22T13:23:00.000-06:00

Hello party people,
Here are my recommendations for lovely yoga music:
1) Worlds Within by Govinda
2) Shakti Rhythms, compiled by Shiva Rea -- heaven for Vinyasa classes -- 75 min
3) B-tribe, Sensual Sensual -- excellent, perfect for 60 minute class. My students always ask me about this cd.

Over and out.

Chantico

2005-02-18T13:00:00.000-06:00

Ah delights of the world, can anything more heavenly than a 6 oz. drink from Starbucks? I thank the gods that this drink exists.

It all started on a cold day a few weeks ago. My family and I were travelling to NYC from DC. As usual, we had to make several pitstops along the way for bathroom and refueling (food). I approached the Starbucks counter and asked first for nutritional information about Chantico before deciding to order it. The clerks fumbled around the store but could not find anything. Alas, how bad could the Chantico really be for my health? Hell, it was only a 6 oz drink! And, how many Weight Watchers points could it be anyway -- oh, maximum of 6 or 7?

I decided to bite the bullet to purchase this treat. The first sip was heaven. I couldn't believe it. I announced to the travelers in the car that this was "the best drink i have ever had in my life."

After our trip to NYC, i counted up my weight watchers points for the weekend. I went to the Starbucks website to find the nutritional information. Oy vey. Oh Chantico, I love you, but i must only experience you every three weeks (on average).

Come on, Feb 26th, you can't come soon enough for me...

Vinyasa Flow Yoga

2005-02-18T11:08:00.000-06:00

Hi all. Just a quick note to let you know that a fabulous new yoga studio has opened in Rockville, MD. It's Thrive Yoga -- and it's absolutely a wonderful haven in the business and craziness of Rockville life and traffic.

I am a student and teacher of vinyasa flow. I have been practicing yoga for two years, but was introduced to vinyasa by Kim Groark and Susan Bowen, two fabulous teachers who started off at Fitness First then decided to open Thrive early this year. I actually started my yoga practice in the Bikram tradition, but after every class, i felt like i was hit by a truck. I was exhausted from losing so much sweat, but loved the poses and the longer practice time. Vinyasa yoga turns up the body heat without making that its main focus. I have been a loyal devotee ever since.

To check out Thrive, you can go to www.thriveyoga.com Give it a try, your first class is free, and it's such an oasis, you will likely be hooked!