I've been pretty preoccupied lately, and extremely busy, juggling demands at work, my running schedule, personal stuff that's come up, errands and chores that won't do themselves, practice teaching while keeping up my own practice, etc. etc. etc. (the us'), that I haven't even given the fact that I'm going to CHICAGO this weekend the love and attention it deserves! I am really excited about this weekend jaunt to the windy city (my first time there), specifically:
1) the architectural boat tour, complete with free Starbucks and cookies;
2) recreating the Art Institute scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off in its entirety (provided I get to be Cameron);
3) DEEP DISH PIZZA FROM LOU MALNATI's; http://www.loumalnatis.com/ and
4) running the back half route of the Chicago marathon route!
Now, I just have to watch more Eat St. to find the right truck to stop at while there!
Monday 25 July 2011
Tuesday 19 July 2011
HP 7.2
By the way, I am NOT being delinquent in my HP7.2 blog entry/review/novel but am sensitive that many people haven't seen it yet and I'm not one to spoil. And really, I think you all can deduce that I LOVED it, BAWLED my eyes out, and am planning to see it a GABILLION more times. All I can say is bring kleenex, go in 3D, and call me to talk about it. Now that it's over though... what the hell am I s'posed to do?
Monday 18 July 2011
Dog days + first yoga class taught my me!
Shiz. Iz hawt. I love the heat, don't get me wrong, but this is melting, chew through thick air, over 40C with humidex hot and it's limiting what I can do outside -- running is on the treadmill, biking is slow and just to get from A to B, and the dog park is not the smartest thing for a dog that just wants to fetch for hours on end. So Tao and I sit in front of the fan, drinking lots of water, and then every now and then, we go and play with the hose.
Oh, oh, OH yeah! I taught my first yoga class (thanks to Moksha Yoga Danforth for providing the space) on Saturday with 12 friends and friends of friends. From fellow teachers to marathon runners to never-stepped-in-a-yoga-studio before beginners, it was a great mix of enthusiastic people and I am so grateful that they came out to support me. I have gotten great feedback so far that I will be able to use in my future teaching and felt really blessed to have the honour of sharing yoga with people and having the opportunity to grow and progress and learn each and every class I teach and each and every time I get on the mat.
Oh, oh, OH yeah! I taught my first yoga class (thanks to Moksha Yoga Danforth for providing the space) on Saturday with 12 friends and friends of friends. From fellow teachers to marathon runners to never-stepped-in-a-yoga-studio before beginners, it was a great mix of enthusiastic people and I am so grateful that they came out to support me. I have gotten great feedback so far that I will be able to use in my future teaching and felt really blessed to have the honour of sharing yoga with people and having the opportunity to grow and progress and learn each and every class I teach and each and every time I get on the mat.
Saturday 16 July 2011
butterflies
Teaching my first yoga class today and am pretty nervous this morning. I'm not so worried about forgetting the order of the postures (or should I be?), but of using my words to guide people in and out of the postures, of feeling like I can find a balance between strength and calmness, of being authentic, of connecting... I started my day off with doubt but for once in my life, trying to get away from being in head and over-analytical, I am going to spend the morning not reviewing and preparing, but rather, taking my friend Lisa's class, to just internalize and feel what I need to feel to fuel me for the afternoon.
When I decided to write this post this morning, I thought, "Hey, maybe I can find a song about being nervous to post with my blog." But then, I glanced up to a piece of paper that I got from my sangha at yoga teacher training, where each person wrote one word that best described me. STRONG appears a dozen or so times on there so I replaced the thoughts of posting a song about my nerves with the idea of posting a song that makes me feel confident and that has a lot of strength. And that equals a little Eminem at 8 in the morning.
Now that I've listened to it a few times, in an effort to release some of that pent up energy and to clear my mind, I'm going to go for a bike ride and a short run. And breathe a lot.
When I decided to write this post this morning, I thought, "Hey, maybe I can find a song about being nervous to post with my blog." But then, I glanced up to a piece of paper that I got from my sangha at yoga teacher training, where each person wrote one word that best described me. STRONG appears a dozen or so times on there so I replaced the thoughts of posting a song about my nerves with the idea of posting a song that makes me feel confident and that has a lot of strength. And that equals a little Eminem at 8 in the morning.
Now that I've listened to it a few times, in an effort to release some of that pent up energy and to clear my mind, I'm going to go for a bike ride and a short run. And breathe a lot.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Upcoming yoga classes!
A post to update you on the where's and when's of the upcoming yoga classes I'll be teaching. (For those who don't know, where have you been this past month? Not reading my blog, clearly!... No, really, I just completed my 300 hour certification with the Moksha Yoga Teacher Training Program in Victoria B.C. in June 2011 and I am now starting to teach and am nervous, excited, and so, so happy!)
Feel free to tell your friends and family and come out to as many of these as possible as I'd love to get experience teaching all sorts of people and getting feedback from dedicated, long-time yoga students, teachers, and beginners!
No experience is required - you just need a good sense of humour (for if and when I get my lefts and rights confusted), an open mind, and the will to have fun, get a good workout in, and relax all at once!
***
Saturday, July 16 1:30-2:30 pm, Moksha Yoga Danforth (mokshayogadanforth.com), free.
Come early to fill out a waiver if you haven't been to this studio before and bring a mat, water bottle and towels. Mats and towels also available to rent at $2 each.
This is a hot class.
Saturday, July 23 10:30am -12pm Greenwood Park, $5 suggested donation for New Leaf Foundation.
Bring a mat, water bottle, towel, and sunscreen.
Friday, July 29 9:45-10:45pm Moksha Yoga Downtown (mokshayogadowntown.com), $8
Come early to fill out a waiver if you haven't been to this studio before and bring a mat, water bottle and towels. Mats and towels also available to rent at $2 each.
This is a hot class.
Friday, August 5 9:45-10:45pm Moksha Yoga Downtown (mokshayogadowntown.com), $8
Come early to fill out a waiver if you haven't been to this studio before and bring a mat, water bottle and towels. Mats and towels also available to rent at $2 each.
This is a hot class.
Friday, August 12 9:45-10:45pm Moksha Yoga Downtown (mokshayogadowntown.com), $8
Come early to fill out a waiver if you haven't been to this studio before and bring a mat, water bottle and towels. Mats and towels also available to rent at $2 each.
This is a hot class.
Feel free to tell your friends and family and come out to as many of these as possible as I'd love to get experience teaching all sorts of people and getting feedback from dedicated, long-time yoga students, teachers, and beginners!
No experience is required - you just need a good sense of humour (for if and when I get my lefts and rights confusted), an open mind, and the will to have fun, get a good workout in, and relax all at once!
***
Saturday, July 16 1:30-2:30 pm, Moksha Yoga Danforth (mokshayogadanforth.com), free.
Come early to fill out a waiver if you haven't been to this studio before and bring a mat, water bottle and towels. Mats and towels also available to rent at $2 each.
This is a hot class.
Saturday, July 23 10:30am -12pm Greenwood Park, $5 suggested donation for New Leaf Foundation.
Bring a mat, water bottle, towel, and sunscreen.
Friday, July 29 9:45-10:45pm Moksha Yoga Downtown (mokshayogadowntown.com), $8
Come early to fill out a waiver if you haven't been to this studio before and bring a mat, water bottle and towels. Mats and towels also available to rent at $2 each.
This is a hot class.
Friday, August 5 9:45-10:45pm Moksha Yoga Downtown (mokshayogadowntown.com), $8
Come early to fill out a waiver if you haven't been to this studio before and bring a mat, water bottle and towels. Mats and towels also available to rent at $2 each.
This is a hot class.
Friday, August 12 9:45-10:45pm Moksha Yoga Downtown (mokshayogadowntown.com), $8
Come early to fill out a waiver if you haven't been to this studio before and bring a mat, water bottle and towels. Mats and towels also available to rent at $2 each.
This is a hot class.
Sunday 10 July 2011
a few sunday night random thoughts
Just popping by to say that -
a) While riding my bike, I go through the Moksha sequence, the sanskrit names for the postures and the dialogue for the postures in my head, and that is a happy kind of multi-tasking.
b) Harry Potter 7.2 comes out in 5 days and I'm so looking forward for that big, sobby, ugly cry that comes with watching it.
c) First weekend after yoga ending and being back to work is over and two days is just not enough. However, I managed to get my herbs and lettuce planted, some chores done, 30km of running, yoga and strength training in, renovation materials purchasing, quality time with dog, planning for Chicago trip with girlfriends, and a Fringe show with my #1. All in crazy humidity and with so much gratitude for what I've got.
Time for some quality zzz's before facing the week ahead.
a) While riding my bike, I go through the Moksha sequence, the sanskrit names for the postures and the dialogue for the postures in my head, and that is a happy kind of multi-tasking.
b) Harry Potter 7.2 comes out in 5 days and I'm so looking forward for that big, sobby, ugly cry that comes with watching it.
c) First weekend after yoga ending and being back to work is over and two days is just not enough. However, I managed to get my herbs and lettuce planted, some chores done, 30km of running, yoga and strength training in, renovation materials purchasing, quality time with dog, planning for Chicago trip with girlfriends, and a Fringe show with my #1. All in crazy humidity and with so much gratitude for what I've got.
Time for some quality zzz's before facing the week ahead.
Thursday 7 July 2011
Reintegrating
It's been a whirlwind week and with limited time and competing chores, the nice-to-dos (like writing this blog) had to get put aside. But I'm feeling like I want to get something down, so am taking a few minutes aside to do so.
It's hard to believe that a week ago was the last day of the training when we were all standing outside Moksha Yoga Victoria, tears streaming down our cheeks and big grins from ear to ear. It feels like a long time ago and I miss everyone dearly. I find myself in conversations with people and saying "Oh, that reminds me of naked bathroom hugs" in the middle of their story. Random thoughts on happy recent memories that put a big smile on my face
Coming back has been refreshing though, and admitedly, more uplifting than I'd anticipate it being. A new perspective, a clearer outlook, a more radiant soul, and an accepting heart makes you take more time, appreciate more, be more tolerant and patient, and see the good in people. That makes me feel more like "me", which may have partially lost its way in recent years, and that feels good.
Going back to work has been a little bit more challenging, but only in the sense that I don't want to lose the momentum that we built up in June. I'm open to what the future might hold, excited to see what falls into place, and want to be committed to my distance learning, continuous growth, practice, community, and teaching. So trying to find a new balance with everything else that is equally important is what I'm going to be trying out and experimenting with in the next little while.
Lastly! My first assignment - TEACHING!!! I've gotten creative with the practice teaching options and I'm getting things in place to get me going on this. Once I have some more locations/dates lined up, they'll be posted on Facebook but so far, here are two confirmed classes:
Saturday, July 23, 10:30am - noon - Greenwood park
Friday, July 29, 9:45pm - 10:45 pm - Community Class - Moksha Yoga Downtown.
Please come, please let me know if you can't come but want to participate in a class, offer me your feedback, be blunt, help me grow!
It's hard to believe that a week ago was the last day of the training when we were all standing outside Moksha Yoga Victoria, tears streaming down our cheeks and big grins from ear to ear. It feels like a long time ago and I miss everyone dearly. I find myself in conversations with people and saying "Oh, that reminds me of naked bathroom hugs" in the middle of their story. Random thoughts on happy recent memories that put a big smile on my face
Coming back has been refreshing though, and admitedly, more uplifting than I'd anticipate it being. A new perspective, a clearer outlook, a more radiant soul, and an accepting heart makes you take more time, appreciate more, be more tolerant and patient, and see the good in people. That makes me feel more like "me", which may have partially lost its way in recent years, and that feels good.
Going back to work has been a little bit more challenging, but only in the sense that I don't want to lose the momentum that we built up in June. I'm open to what the future might hold, excited to see what falls into place, and want to be committed to my distance learning, continuous growth, practice, community, and teaching. So trying to find a new balance with everything else that is equally important is what I'm going to be trying out and experimenting with in the next little while.
Lastly! My first assignment - TEACHING!!! I've gotten creative with the practice teaching options and I'm getting things in place to get me going on this. Once I have some more locations/dates lined up, they'll be posted on Facebook but so far, here are two confirmed classes:
Saturday, July 23, 10:30am - noon - Greenwood park
Friday, July 29, 9:45pm - 10:45 pm - Community Class - Moksha Yoga Downtown.
Please come, please let me know if you can't come but want to participate in a class, offer me your feedback, be blunt, help me grow!
Friday 1 July 2011
July 1, 1988
Give it up for our country! Red and white and beautiful.
Canada Day is pretty significant for my family. In February of 1988, my mom was relocated from Ottawa to Victoria but the family couldn't move with her until the school year was over, the house was sold, a new house was bought, etc. So my mom charged my sister to take care of me during her absence while my dad and brother took care of the house and the packing. I decided I would have none of it. I didn't make it easy for my sister and I don't think I let her wash my hair for that entire period. On top of being totally hygenic, it's also really hawt. On July 1 of that year though, after the longest 6 months of my life, we were on our way to Victoria for our family reunion and new life. So happy to be able to celebrate with them today, the 23rd Toyonagas-take-over-Victoria Canada Day celebrations.
Canada Day is pretty significant for my family. In February of 1988, my mom was relocated from Ottawa to Victoria but the family couldn't move with her until the school year was over, the house was sold, a new house was bought, etc. So my mom charged my sister to take care of me during her absence while my dad and brother took care of the house and the packing. I decided I would have none of it. I didn't make it easy for my sister and I don't think I let her wash my hair for that entire period. On top of being totally hygenic, it's also really hawt. On July 1 of that year though, after the longest 6 months of my life, we were on our way to Victoria for our family reunion and new life. So happy to be able to celebrate with them today, the 23rd Toyonagas-take-over-Victoria Canada Day celebrations. |
| Shoelaces untied, greasy hair. In airport waiting to come to Victoria. I really hope my sis doesn't read this blog or she'll freak I posted this picture! |
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