Sketches of the Studio (and day 2 of the challenge)

So this is the "sketch" of the studio.  I was lucky enough to get the corner unit of the shopping center.  I can't wait until this is all finished.  However, there is still SO much to do.  The little things that make the big things happen.  We are going to Tyler tomorrow and if anything has changed, we'll certainly take pictures.

Day 2 was so much better than last night's class.  I'm feeling better - not 100% - but better each day.  Class was still very challenging and I'm feeling weak in the postures.  It was a full class today at noon - probably because of the holiday time.  People must be off work and have the chance to take a noon class.  Looking forward to tomorrow morning's class. 

Challenge Redo

I'm finally on the other side of this cold/flu/whatever the heck it was that kept me out of the beloved yoga room for the past 3 days.  I  went to the doctor a couple of days ago to get some medicine to kick this thing in the pants.  Oh, it works - I think the Z-Pack would cure the plague.  Although I'm against taking medicine, I'm also a weenie when it comes to being sick. 
 
I taught class Monday night (before I went to the doctor) and had a pretty raspy voice.  Well, I LOVE to talk so after greeting the students and chit chatting, it was time to teach.  By the time I put the head set on and said "good afternoon.  How are y'all doin'?" I had completely lost my voice.  I'd say it sounded like Marge Simpson.  Let me rephrase that..... Marge Simpson who had just smoked 3 packs of cigarettes.  But I got through it and decided it was time to get healthy (with the help of medication) because I had a class to teach in another 48 hours.

Okay.... back to my "challenge redo".  I just decided to start all over.  Day 1 started yesterday.  My teacher-friend Carolyn taught a marvelous class.  Inspiring, witty, and motivating.  I kind of new at the beginning that I would have a hard time getting through the class.  My goal was to "sweat it out" as we say.  Within the first five minutes I knew this was going to be a tough one.  Whoa-Mama!  I rarely "take a knee" or sit out of a posture so this was a particularly humbling experience when I was on my 10th or so "take a knee".  Its also a little embarrassing when students see me barely able to scrape myself off the ground and do, um..... I'd say 15% of each posture.  But.... everyone has their day and they are probably not even caring how much I'm suffering because they are probably also suffering a bit in their own way. 

It seems to be a tough week for a lot of folks in the yoga room .  Probably all of the holiday eating, drinking, and merry-making.  Let me tell ya.... what you eat really likes to come back to haunt you in the hot room.  It's always a great lesson.  This is just one of the numerous benefits of this yoga.  It keeps your eating in check for the most part and is a heavy reminder of the consequences. 

We have another trip to Tyler, TX tomorrow.  Lots going on.  Setting up our business account at the bank, going to the Smith County Courthouse for some MORE business stuff, and getting a storage unit. 

So, off to day 2 of my challenge.  I'm looking forward to getting back in the hot room.  It has to be better than yesterday!  

It was a Merry Christmas

We had such a great time here in Dallas spending Christmas with the Hudson's.  Baxter is hardly ever home, especially during the major holidays but this year he was home for Christmas.  We had such a great time the whole week.... going on visits to East Texas, spending time with our friends and family at my in-laws for a fabulous feast, and having a nice little relaxing Christmas Eve here at the house on Blessing.  Christmas movies were playing in the background as we got everything ready for visitors.

I treated myself to a Christmas day class with a few of the teachers from the studio.  It was a little get-together of sorts.  It wasn't on the schedule (as we were closed on Christmas day), and it was unannounced but it was great to just push the "pause" button on the holiday craziness and treat myself to a quick yoga session with some other teachers.

It's a good thing I did class yesterday because I have either the flu or a cold or something going on that will probably make me miss my day 4 of my challenge.  Already, I know.... only on day 4 and I'm having to skip a day.  But....  I have to be well enough to teach tomorrow and hopefully take a class.

I guess it's safe to start posting some of the color schemes, and ideas for the yoga studio.

The above is the color scheme we are going for. 

This is the wall color for the yoga room.

Flooring idea for the lobby. Stained concrete.

Bathroom sink.

So, that's about it.... 

Challenges, Challenges

I decided to do another 60 day challenge and I'm pretty sure I started it in the most difficult time frame imaginable.  Christmas time.  That's okay - I need a challenge.  I've been very inconsistent over the last month and a half so I decided I needed a kick in the yoga shorts and just go for it.  The other challenging part.... I have a head cold.  I'm sure it will go away in no time - just get into the hot room and sweat it out. 

Day 1 of my challenge, I felt great!  On top of the world and full of energy.  Then.... Day 2 happened.  Not pretty.  Actually it was pretty ugly. Woozy, no energy, probably dehydrated, etc. Got my booty kicked.  It was a great class, though, and I needed it.

I'm working on a couple of things during this challenge...

• tight right shoulder
• headaches 
• Left knee pain
• chest pains (which I've tried to ignore over the past month)

I'm already feeling better in all the areas - just not 100%.

In other news..... Baxter and I went to Tyler, TX on the way to see the family in Longview for a little Christmas visit.  We were so excited to stand on the "dirt" where our studio will be built.  We have a few pictures, videos, and a good idea of what the shopping center will look like, thanks to Fresh, the new concept store by Brookshires. 

YES MAN

The Yes Man - need I say more?  Okay, I will.  For some people (me), NO is the go-to word.  It's a word that embodies safety, security, and control of one's surroundings.  But, sometimes when you surround  yourself with no's, the slump comes on, you might even turn into somewhat of a hermit.

Through the power of Netflix, and one late-night clicking of movies I "might" want to watch, I  clicked on (without thinking) The Yes Man - with Jim Carey.  I really don't know when I ordered it.... the list of movies is about 100 deep.  It could have been last year for all I know.  It arrived in my mailbox and I actually told myself I wasn't going to watch this thing.  I had decided to send it back in the nice red envelope that it came in.  What an ignorant choice it was for me to make.  Seriously?  Another Jim Carey movie?  Then, I thought I'd just pop it in while I was doing laundry and whatnot. 

I'm so glad I watched it.  It made an impact on my life.  Who woulda thought!?!  Well, I am not actually the Yes-Man yet, but I have gotten MUCH better at saying yes and actually enjoying life a little bit more.  It's also VERY funny. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRv4CoXQoAQ

Stuff

So the title of my blog is Yoga and Stuff.  I'll just say that right now it's just more about "stuff".  I've really been meaning to start a blog, post frequently, and just let go of being scared of people judging.  That's the hard part.   So, if you are reading this - read at your own risk.  :-)  I'm just getting it all out...... some of it may be venting, ranting, being a cry-baby, a drama queen, scared-y cat, whatever.  That's life - the "stuff". 

I like this picture of Granny Clampitt.  She really means business.  Heck, SHE doesn't care what people think - she just says what's on her mind and if you have any objections, well, just look at the picture. 

Did I mention that humor is pretty much what gets me through the day?  I like to be funny, I think I'm funny, my mom and sister think I'm funny but I think that's pretty much it.  My husband on the other hand is pretty serious and apparently does NOT think I'm funny in the slightest. Thank God for that, however, because my life would be a series of quotes from a Bugs Bunny cartoon that no one would get (but sister and Mom).  I used to get offended that my husband never laughed at the quirky, clever things I would say..... he would have me actually doubt that I was ever quirky or clever.  But I have, of course, found the humor in my husband not thinking I'm funny. 

Well, folks, if you get an invitation to view this blog, you are officially in the test group.  I usually jump into things with both feet (i.e. moving half way across the globe on a whim, etc.) but this requires baby steps.  Family, friends, then..... maybe make the blog public. (eeek!)

Iyengar Book

I'm totally and completely inspired by the Tree of Yoga.  Yes, I've read it before but it didn't speak to me like it just did yesterday.  See, we were cleaning out the office because we are getting new carpet.  The Tree of Yoga book was just laying around and I picked it up.  Something just spoke to me!  I kept reading, it and I kept understanding!  I truly believe that you can read a book and not get anything out of it.  Then.... read it again, at a different point in your life, and it has new meaning.  What a revelation!