What would you do for love?

I'm working on my theme for the next assignment for our next teacher training weekend.  I decided to explore the idea of "what would you do for love?" using an experience I had this past summer.  My amazing husband decided to train for his first marathon AND a half-Ironman triathlon at the same time.  The half-Ironman was scheduled for August in Iowa which can only mean adding a miserable "heat and humidity" factor to anything you are planning to do outside.
Just so we're all clear about the numbers in a half-Ironman and his conservative estimates for how long it would take him, it adds up as follows:
Swim   1.2  miles  1 hour
Bike  56.0  miles  3 hours 30 minutes
Run   13.1  miles  2 hours 15 minutes 
Total  70.3 miles  6 hours 45 minutes, plus transition times, so about 7 hours

Long story short, after months of diligent training, Todd ended up with a bicep/shoulder injury two weeks before the half-Ironman race.  He had done a sprint-triathlon as part of his training a couple of weeks earlier (and took second place in his division, I proudly add!) and knew something wasn't right.  He called me after his appointment with the Orthopedist and said the verdict was that he was out for the swim.  Which meant he was out of the race.  He was not, I repeat NOT, a happy camper.  As I hung up, I thought about what he had said about his call with the race director as he was trying to figure out his options.  Todd asked if there was anyone who wanted to do the swimming part of the event as a relay.  The swim is usually the part that nobody wants to tackle.  Lots of crazy runners cross-train by crazy biking, so there is an abundance of people willing to do those two crazy legs of the race.  (Can you tell I think this is crazy?)

Here's where the conundrum begins.  I like to swim.  I've done two sprint triathlons, which both included a 500 yard swim.  500 yards is 20 lengths in a regular pool.  Takes me about 11-somethingish minutes at a leisurely pace  in open water (hey, I'm saving myself for 15 miles on the bike and a 5k run).  1.2 miles = 2112 yards.  That's over 4 times as long as the sprint tri distance.  In open water.  The longest training swims I did were usually 1500 yards...in a nice clear pool, with an edge to push off of every 25 yards.  And, I hadn't been training since early June.  Now, 1.2 mile in open water is a scary distance in my book...there is a genuine possibility that a person could drown.  After some internal debate, I stopped at the pool on my way home from work that night (oddly enough, I always have 3 bags in my trunk:  1 for swimming, 1 for biking, 1 for running, just in case the opportunity for an unexpected workout arises).  Standing in the water, I adjusted my goggles, took a last look at the clock, and with a deep breath, pushed off for 45 minutes of straight swimming.  It was a long 45 minutes and I'm not gonna lie when it was one of the hardest things I'd done in a while.

So now the question:  what would you do for love?  Would you offer to swim 1.2 miles when you knew you only had two-weeks to get prepared...which means you probably wouldn't be?  Would you be willing to take a risk if it meant you might not be able to finish your leg of the race?  Would you do it if you seriously thought that you might drown??  Would you try to conquer your own fears for someone you really love?? What would you do?

I found this sweet little video by Scott O'Conner on Vimeo and thought, "this pretty much sums it up!".
Namaste

Pick A Prize

A weekend of Anusara Yoga teacher training always leaves me feeling many things:  enthused, exhausted, strengthened, overwhelmed, inspired, humbled, treasured...and the list of dichotomies goes on.  This morning, after our third training weekend, I decided to reflect back through those feelings with the goal of distilling it down to the essence I want to carry forward with me.  It kind of reminds me of when we were kids, and after a trip to the dentist, we would get to sift through the treasure chest to select a parting gift.  (There are other similarities between a trip to the dentist and teacher training weekends, but that's a different topic!)

My mind quickly went to the thought that it is usually easier to see progress and changes in others than it is to see it in ourselves.  Seeing the amazing changes in each of the graceful, gracious and talented women I am lucky enough to be on this journey with is a priceless blessing.  Reflecting on the evolution I see in them is like a mirror to help me see my own growth.  It's such a gift to be able to to nurture my own growth through the lens of support and non-judgement I see them through.  Using these glasses, any feelings of comparison (and not measuring up), competition and judgement that often come with being part of learning something new simply don't exist in this view.  What a lovely parting gift!
Namaste

The New Seed Catalogs Are Here!!

"And what does a seed catalog have to do with yoga?", I ask myself.  I sit down with a cup of coffee and prepare to read this Botanical Interests Seed Catalog like a good book.

Chapter 1:  Inspiration Starts here 
Immediately, I am drawn to the beautiful art ("captivating botanical illustrations" it says) and the interesting descriptions. Arugula Wild Rocket Salad, Roquette, is described as follows:

Cool season.  30-45 days.  Walk on the wild side!  If you like arugula, you are going to love this one!  Great complex, spicy flavor, and very easy to grow from seed.

I peel off a sticky note and put myself down for 2 packets of Arugula seeds.  Please note that I've started ordering and I'm on page 1, letter A.  This could get pricey.  I'm gonna need more coffee.

 

Chapter 2:  Growing FriendshipS

"In our hurried, emotionally detached society, gardens bind us together in ways that grow more than beautiful flowers and flavorful vegetables.  Gardens grow hope and friendship."  The story describes an 80-year-old widowed goat farmer and a mother of two who, through fate, divine intervention or coincidence, cultivate a friendship.  Similarity to yoga?  Check.

Chapter 3:  Good Vibes grow at garden parties

"...there's something special about everyone being together in the fresh air and sunshine, surrounded by lush blooming plants.  In the natural setting and festive atmosphere, they relax..."

 

Chapter 4:  learn & grow
Digging deeper.  Nurturing the seeds of inspiration and life.  Witnessing with joy and amazement the miracles of nature.  Finding wonder in your own backyard.  Gardening.  Yoga.
Namaste

Theme Ideas

This is a brain-dump of the yoga class themes that have been collecting in my mind.

1. Easy or Hard?  The difference between what we perceive as easy and difficult is in the story we tell ourselves about it.  Take an "easy" pose and make it more difficult through alignment, muscle energy or taking it deeper.  Take a "difficult" pose and break it down into easier components.  Urdva Dhanurasana - Backbend.  Salambasana - Locust.
2. The Big Bang Theory.  Big events can start a chain reaction of little changes.  Go through Surya Namaskar - Sun Salutation series adding on each time.
        Fire-Up Flow
        Variation 1- Extended Child's
        Variation 2- One-Sided Down Dog
        Variation 3- Half Twist
        Variation 4- Pigeon Lunge
3. Charting Our Course.  Think about where we want to be and then plan backwards from there.  Getting to Salamba Sarvangasana - Supported Shoulder Stand.
4. Take A Moment.  How would taking a moment before we responded change our interactions and reactions in any situation?  Open to Grace.  Take a breath - Pranayama.
5. How Am I Showing Up?  How am I showing up for meetings, for interactions with people that I'm not especially great buds with, with my friends, with myself?  What we expect out of an interaction is generally what we'll get.  Set an intention of "I'm willing to try" for this practice.  Ardha Mukha Vrksasana - Handstand.  Use the prep of L-Stand at the wall.
6. BHAGs:  Big, Hairy Arse Goals.  We all need them.  They push us out of our comfort zone. They give a voice to our ideas.  They anchor us along a path in life.  If they don't scare us a little, they aren't big enough, hairy enough or a goal.  What goals do you have in mind with your yoga practice?  Goal oriented pose:  Pincha Mayurasana - Peacock pose.
7. Leaning into Change.  We don't have to be perfect.  We can set our mind and our intention in a direction of change and then keep leaning until we get to a tipping point.  Getting to Virabandrasana 3 - Warrior 3.
8. Surprised to be here?  Are you surprised to be here, in this class right now?  If not, think back to the point where you first took a yoga class and now ask yourself again, are you surprised to be here?  Poses like Ardha Chandrasana - Standing Half Moon.
9. What Would You Do For Love?  Swim a mile in open water?  Thank goodness I didn't have to, but I was ready to.  Building up shoulder strength and shoulder openers.
10. One Shining Moment.  Don't wait for the moment...shine now!  Start with full extensions through the hands, the head and the heart. Uttitha Parsvokanasana - Extended Side Angle. Trikonasana - Extended Triangle.    Then move into this Season Finale series.

Namaste