Getting ready for Christmas

With tree shopping:

Tree decorating:

Day trips:

Holiday parties:

Pictures:

Crafting:

A fox problem?

I have a problem.

Whenever I see a cute fox thing, I must have it. Yesterday it was a fox Christmas ornament and a fox mug. Today, it's these adorable fox tea towels:

They're just so damn cute.

I. Can't. Stop.

"The Key to the Kingdom of Health"

Ok, ok, so I didn't write this article. And yes, I'm just reposting another article on my blog. BUT, this article pretty accurately describes Bikram Yoga, it's benefits, and the importance of staying true to the sequence. It was written by one of Bikram Yoga's senior most teachers, Emmy Cleaves. She is 80-something years old and still practicing Bikram Yoga daily. She is in perfect health. A yoga badass. If that's not good advertising, I don't know what is. 

If you've ever been curious about what yoga I teach, why I teach it, why I feel passionately about it, read below:

Featured in LA Yoga

January/February 2005 Volume 4/Number 1

BIKRAM YOGA

By Emmy Cleaves

Bikram Yoga, sometimes also called “hot yoga,” is a system of a set 26 yoga posture sequence practiced in a room heated to 100+ degrees and lasting 90 minutes.

Bikram Choudhury, under his guru’s guidance and using modern medical measurement techniques, researched and arrived at this specific sequence of postures.  The individual asanas are classical hatha yoga.  Each classical yoga posture has a specific anatomical, neurological, physiological and psychological effect on the human body.   The intelligence of any posture sequence determines the overall benefit of the practice.

Bikram introduced his unique style of yoga in the United States in 1971.  During the first 20 years this style was taught only in his Beverly Hills studio, mainly to movie stars and athletes.  Bikram was finally persuaded to start a teacher-training program, which opened up the system to national and international exposure.  As of 2004 there are hundreds of Bikram Yoga studios throughout the world.  In recognition of the unique nature of this posture sequence, the U.S. Trademark Office has issued a Trade Mark registration for Bikram Yoga.

In my 31 years of observation, I have seen that most people taking their first BikramYoga class are suffering from bad body mechanics and postural dysfunction.  Each human body has a specific design template.  Muscles work in pairs in order for the body to execute any movement or even to maintain an upright posture against the forces of gravity.  Any imbalance in the dynamic tension between the posterior or erector muscles and the anterior or flexor muscles will compromise the vertical loading on the weight bearing joints.  This creates unnatural wear and tear and ultimately disease and pain.

The first 45 minutes of the Bikram Yoga System consists of standing poses devoted to re-establishing musculo-skeletal balance.  If done with sufficient intensity, they create an aerobic benefit as well.

The second half of the class consists of floor postures that address “the great information super highway” – your spine and it’s correct alignment.  Most people recognize their spinal problems during their first Bikram Yoga class.

My first Bikram Yoga class was in 1973.  For 20 years prior to it, I had taken various yoga classes that had not done much to improve the flexibility of my rather stiff body.  I had also suffered a brain aneurysm.  A life-threatening event of this nature shatters ones faith and trust in ones body. During my very first Bikram class I immediately recognized the power of the corrective training effect in the systematic and repetitious nature of the practice.

Since 1973 I have continuously practiced and taught Bikram Yoga.  It has restored my mental and physical strength and the confidence in my ability to lead a productive life.  It has given me the suppleness I had previously considered unattainable.  My 31 years of practice have given me glowing health and age has had no effect on my body’s weight, suppleness or energy levels.  There are very few things that can disturb the erenity of my spirit and calmness of my mind.

People ask me if I ever get tired of doing the same posture flow.  My answer is that the practice is never the same because I am continuously being changed by the practice.  The daily practice challenges you on many levels.  Concentration and attention are quickly sharpened.  Character issues of patience and perseverance come up each time.  The practice offers a chance to explore deeper levels of Self and develop awareness of the emotions and thoughts that the postures evoke.

For example, backward bending often initially evokes fear, but you find the courage and strength to do it. As you become an observer of the deeper and sometimes buried manifestations of Self, you come to understand yourself more clearly.  You start seeing which reactions to challenges are automatic and habitual and that you can change them.  The asana is a path to Self-awareness.  The physical becomes spiritual.

One of the most common questions of beginners is “why the heat?”  On the simplest level it is because warm muscles are more pliable.  The heat also expedites the flow of blood to all the organs of the body, facilitating the reactions that the postures are designed to create.  Heat will help the body destroy viruses and bacteria.  It strengthens the immune system. There are many cultures in which sweating is part of the healing process.  Think of a Bikram class as a sweat lodge experience.

Bikram yoga is physically accessible to people of all ages and conditions.  The postures require only normal range of motion available to all, from children to the very aged, provided you are being taught by a certified, qualified Bikram teacher.  Beware, however, of the teacher who claims to teach Bikram Yoga but who has altered the strict Bikram regime.  By changing the routine the beneficial effects are destroyed; such alterations are much like the difference between a genuine Rolex watch and a $ 20.00 knock-off.  

Bishnu Ghosh, Bikram’s guru, said that the root of all chronic illnesses can be traced to stress.  He also said that the human body is self-energizing and self-healing and that yoga is the key to this kingdom of health.

This dog

Sometimes she gets in our bed

And sometimes she let us cuddle her

Today I saw the sun

It was there,

See it?

Also, a wild turkey:

And his wife

I kind of want an adult onesie

Thanksgiving 2014

Made a lot, did a lot, ate a lot, and somehow all I have to show for it is this picture of the not yet filled chocolate peanut butter cups that I made:

And this self indulgent winter selfie (btw, is the self-indulgence already implied in the term "selfie"?):

So because I am dumb and took no pictures, you'll have to take my word for it. There was trail running, coffee, friends, rain, wet dog, ukulele playing, mac and cheese making, wine drinking, dog walking, more rain, talking, gratitude, two kinds of turkey, beer drinking, lounging, food coma, vegan chocolate mousse, friends' families, gravey, fun-poking, family face-timing and skyping, and a whole lotta missing of this place:

A Reel Musical Treat

Jason and I cover Mason Jennings' Memphis Tennessee on ukulele

Leggings..

are not
could be pants.

There was a time in my life not too long ago during which I had a firm stance on the whole "leggings are not pants" issue.  I had seen just about one too many young girls flashing their undies through a poor quality see-through legging a la exhibit A.

I can't believe I am about to say this (perhaps it is the fact that I am a yoga teacher, or maybe just because I always want to be comfy this climate) but I've changed my opinion on this topic.  Drumroll please...

Leggings can sometimes be pants. But only when adhering to this set of rules:

1) Said leggings must be of the thick material variety.
2) Wearer of said leggings must wear a shirt, sweater, or jacket that at least covers 1/2 or more of the wearer's bum.
3) Said leggings must be part of an ensemble conveying a message such as, but not limited to,  "I am going to yoga", "I am going on a run", "I woke up like this", "I stayed up all night studying",  or "I work at a leggings store".

See exhibit B

exhibit B

And there you have it folks, the new stance on leggings as pants. Have a field day!

#finally

After a year of monthly payments and teaching Bikram yoga sans certificate, I'm official!

Also November 17th was my one year anniversary of Bikram Yoga teacher training graduation AND November 20th was my 1 year Bikram Yoga teachiversary. 

Stillness

I've been re-reading a great yoga book lately:

Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness
By Erich Schiffman (1996)

My favorite longtime yoga teacher, Ti, read this book to us during class over the course of a year. It's a great yoga philosophy book. One to savor. One to read again and again.

I'm rereading it now through a new lens, finding old and new nuggets of wisdom.

Here's one from today's read:

Stillness is not the absence or negation of energy, life, or movement. Stillness is dynamic. It is unconflicted movement, life in harmony with itself, skill in action. It can be experienced whenever there is total, uninhibited, unconflicted participation in the moment you are in--when you are wholeheartedly present with whatever you are doing. (p. 3)

Chew on that, ya'll.

To be or not to be?

That is as in to be 45 degrees and raining or to be 35 degrees and sunny? Always choose 35 and sunny. Trust me.

In other great news, today was my second run on healed/healing broken toe. Hurts, but I ran!

To be funny

There are some basic cultural differences between the East coast and the West coast. Of course, there are the obvious ones like the laid back attitudes vs. more direct, aggressive ones or that sprawling feeling vs. the crowded one. There are also other less palpable differences that one could only understand having lived in both places.

For me, the most stark difference between the East coast and the West coast is the sense of humor. Basically ya'll, I'm not funny here.  I've always considered myself to be a "funny" person, not comedian funny or anything, but funny enough that I bring a laugh to those close to me. Here though, I am not a funny person. No one laughs at my jokes. In fact, most jokes that I crack are received in absolute silence followed by distant sound of crickets chirping. What's up with that?

Aside from the fact that this has completely messed with my sense of self, it also has me very interested in this East coast/West coast cultural dichotomy. Like, what is it about my humor that is lost here? And what is it about the East coast, or more specifically my home, that better equips people to find the humor in my jokes? And on a larger scale, what does this mean about people in general?

Deep thoughts...

Smith Rock, Oregon

Smith Rock is a natural wonder of the Oregon world. Massive, yet small, unique, geological enigma---something about lava cooling and rocks shifting---it's beautiful.

Jason and I visited on Sunday. Even with a broken toe in the process of healing, I managed to get out and enjoy the beauty a bit.

6th Anniversary

November 8 marks 6 years married to this guy. Raise a glass (preferably one of our original wedding pint glasses if you were lucky enough to get one) and make a toast to love!

My girl

If it's wrong to love an animal this much, then I don't want to be right. 

Shroomin'

And by "Shroomin'" I don't mean eating hallucinogenic mushrooms and chasing unicorns in the woods. I mean hunting for mushrooms. This is a thing that people do in Oregon. I don't eat mushrooms, and quite honestly I think people that do are weird. However, hunting for mushrooms is super fun! It's like hiking but with a purpose. Think grown up Easter egg hunt in rugged OR woods.

Yesterday we were looking for chanterelles, which are big, orange, gnarly mushshrooms. They like to hide under green stuff, dirt, sticks, and anything else "woodsy".

i spy with my little eye

a big one

We got a lot!

fungal booty

Birthdays

I love my friends. I love birthdays. This week we celebrate the birthday of one very special Marissa Schroot. Since I live in a faraway place from most of my bestest sister-esk friends, I am making a point of sending my birthday love the old fashioned way- through snail mail.

I doubt the surprise will be spoiled by this post since I don't think Marissa reads my blog anyway (curse you, Marissa, not really, but maybe a little bit), but just in case I won't tell you what's wrapped in the little brown package pictured above. 

"Love Pizza" the recipe

In case you want to try to make your own love pizza, here's the recipe for the dough. This is top secret. Please do not tell the Internet.

It's just too good

to be savored

Have you ever enjoyed reading a book so much so that you didn't actually want to read it?

This is a seldom occurance, but when it does happen it happens hard. I am currently rationing out The Goldfinch page by page because I just don't want it to end. This book is meant to be savored.  I just may never get through it.

I liken this phenomena to when I was a kid, sorting and rationing my halloween candy as if I were preparing for an apocalypse in which candy would never be found upon the Earth again. I would sort by color, genre, and texture, save my favorite pieces for the end, sometimes never even getting to enjoy these bites-the chocolate having gone grey and flakey.

No, I did not grow up during the depression era, instead I just really have an obsession/problem/attachment to never wanting a good thing to end.  At least now, I can recognize this in myself and learn to enjoy the things that I enjoy. The Reese's cup that is The Goldfinch will not go grey and flakey, but instead it will be delicately devoured bite by tiny, bite.

"Love Pizza"

We've been making what we call "Love Pizza" for quite a long time. We originally acquired our dough recipe from Brooke and Ryan at Cup a Joe in Hillsborough and have been riffing off it ever since 2009. "Love Pizza" takes many forms including pesto, spinach, olives, Mexican, pepperoni, and veggies. It's not about what you put on it, but the love you put in it. And the more love, the better it tastes. 

Last night we did a new take on an old favorite and incorporated chicken apple sausage, pesto, spinach, and mozzerella. It was damn good. I suggest you all try it. Making homemade pizza is way easier than you might think and much cheaper than going out or ordering in. All you need is flour, salt, yeast, your favorite toppings, and love of course!

Not bad

This was my view this morning as I drove back up the hill to our new home after teaching the early yoga classes:

It had just rained, but the sun was coming out. You can see that beautiful, blue sky trying to peek out behind the trees. And so much green! (And someone's recycling bin...)

And for those of you who are curious about what our new home looks like, here it is:

Ukulele Goddess

Jason and I are learning to play the ukulele. I find it much easier than playing the guitar, which I briefly started playing when I was 9 and then again at age 20. Both times resulted in my quitting because my fingers were too small. The ukulele is way more manageable. Additionally, it is cute and slightly hip, which supplies the "cool factor".

Learning how to do something new with a loved one is very gratifying. We play. We sing. We drink beer.  It's a great indoor activity for the rainy, Oregon winer ahead.

"There's not much you can do for a broken toe, right?"

I'm about 72% sure that I broke my middle toe yesterday. I rammed it into a hard, little stool very hard.  It hurt like hell. I'm now hobbling around.

 It must be broken, right?

All my life I've heard that "there's not much you can do for a broken toe". Upon purusing the internet, I've deduced that this old adage is in fact true. Unless your bone is sticking out or you've punctured something, there really is very little to do about a broken toe.

The best you can hope for is some medical tape so you can "buddy tape" your toe. It's really called that. I learned it on the Internet. "Buddy Taping" is when you create a splint for your 72% broken toe with another toe, like buddies do:

And there you have it. The saga of my most likely, but possibly not, broken toe.