Week 1 of My Challenge

It's Friday, Day no. 6 of my challenge. So far so good, but I've done six classes in a row before so I haven't had my *breakthrough* moment just yet. My poses are definitely improving. Most of the changes that are happening to me right now are mental ones. I feel like I'm letting go of social mores like feeling the need to drink on a Saturday night just because it's a Saturday night. If you are single person there is still this stigma that if you are not out on a Saturday night you an uncool loser. I love wine and will probably never be a teetotaler although I gave up all booze for about a year and a half as an experiment. I felt good but missed the occassional glass of wine plus people tend to not invite you to things because non-drinkers are viewed as bores. For me it's kind of a battle between the bon vivant part of my personality that loves parties, wine, staying up late, being with people, chocolate and rock n'roll. Then there's the disciplinarian who loves pure organic food, farmer's markets, meditation, hard work, getting up early and "alone time". I guess the goal is to find what really makes me happy which I suppose is a marriage of both. Most of the time though I'd like to be the discplinarian. I just feel better and get more done. I just read a great quote from Anthony Kiedis, "I love pot. I love beer. I am just totally sober. I stopped doing those things because they stopped working for me." I've never been into drugs but I'm curious what I will stop working for me.

I feel like the practice gives me more clarity and patience. I don't get as easily irritated by my co-workers. I'm far less sensitive. As if my mantra is "Nothing really matters"—meant in the best way of course. The only negative thing I'm feeling is a slight detox in my throat. I feel like I'm detoxing a lot of the dust I breath in every day at the ole office. I'm doing my best to eat clean and follow mostly an Ayurvedic lifestyle, such as using my neti pot, massaging my head and feet with Brahmi oil and taking these wonderful herbs from Circle of Health. Right now while this challenge is on I'm treating myself like an athlete in training. It's different everyday. Some classes I feel really energetic then other times I feel like my balance is off. One day I have trouble with my contacts, the next my stomach is bothering me from the raw onions I had with lunch, then the next I feel more wonky from the heat than usual. I'm learning that life is never perfect but to try to be calm with all the crazy I might experience. Like most of my teachers say, it's simple but not easy.

Beginning my 60-Day Challenge!

I’m starting the Bikram challenge on August 26. I’ll be doing one 90-minute class every day for 60-Days. I thought that this would be a good time since traditionally this is "back to school time" and the vibe is good for this kind of focus. I'm really curious what this experience will bring to my life. I feel like Bikram has helped me eat more moderately. You can't stuff yourself and go to a Bikram yoga class. Ewww. Drinking moderately is helpful too. Sometimes I get impatient and feel like nothing is happening, then I’m like wait a minute remember how my knees used to crack EVERY time I got up from my chair. And remember when the stress was on at work I would be typing away and I’d get that burning sensation in the middle of my back? Well no more, not since starting this practice.

I've been going for about three months, usually 4-5 times a week. Now everyday for 60-days. It's a mental challenge as well as physical. It’s also helped me creatively and I’ve began to work on my artwork more, although now the catch 22 is that because of this challenge I won’t have as much time to do my artwork! Speaking of artwork, here’s an update on my globe. During the gala opening party it was broke, then the restorer who was going to fix it, lost it. So it only got to be on display during the gala party. They asked me if I’d like to do another one and I’m like it took me a whole month, every minute outside of work was spent on that. What if you lose this one too. I have to say I still admire the project and many of the globes look great outside near the lake. If I were asked to do a big one maybe next year if they reprise the concept, I’d probably do something like Yoga for the Environment. If you are practicing yoga you naturally have more respect for yourself and the earth. When your hands are strong pointing outward in bow pose you have little opportunity to trash the earth.

In Tribute to Christina Coffey

I’d like to take this moment to dedicate this entry to a friend of mine who passed away recently. Her name was Christina Coffey. She had pancreatic cancer for nearly two years. She was remarkably strong during the whole ordeal as if to just be like well I’m punching in my life’s time card and that’s it. To give you a snapshot of Christina she had impeccable taste, was always hard working, and really was one of those rare beings who seemed to have a great balance of male and female energy. She loved shopping for shoes and also liked Sunday night football.

I like to think of death as a porthole to another beautiful world where you get to figure out all the shit that mystifies you here. Maybe an angel or God himself welcomes you and is like hey you know I know you don’t remember but before you came to Earth your soul wanted to go through all this shit (technical term) and grow and influence other Earthlings. So you decided to work in an office and bring your light to those around you. And here’s what happened to those glasses you lost in the third grade and oh here’s what really happens to your socks that you lost in the dryer. This is why I decided to make the sky blue and the grass green and etc. etc. Then you get to have a big welcome home heavenly cocktail party with your loved ones who passed away before you.

As a Scorpio, I’m fascinated with transformation. It’s not a death but a new Chrissy who I hope gets some great new shoes in heaven. I’m thinking some nice Channel white leather quilted ballerina flats.