On Friday, I was on my way to the Hangzhou International Airport after dropping off "buddy" and Milo is affectionately called, at a friend's house. It had been raining since the morning and I got into a rather old and cruddy cab. The driver was extremely nice as he waiting outside for me to drop off Milo. If not, I would have been waiting for another hour (yes, Milo and I waited for an hour) in the rain for another cab to the airport.
Anyways, on the airport expressway I was playing with my Chinese-English dictionary, looking up words and phrases I didn't know. I look up and there we are slamming on the brakes swerving to miss a car that had stopped in the middle of the highway. The cab driver did the best he could and at the last minute swerved the car when he knew it was too late to stop. We were going approximately 30mph at the point of impact and I went flying into the back of the passenger seat. There are no seat belts in China taxis. I take that back.... on our way back from Beijing we were lucky enough to find a taxi with back passenger seat belts. But really, it's few and far between and there are no seat belt laws in China except for the driver. Within seconds I had my cell phone in my hand calling Chase who was already waiting for me in Beijing.
I remember breathing heavily, tears streaming, trying to hold them back, not being able to breathe, while trying to tell Chase I was ok and that I wasn't going to make my flight. I felt my right cheekbone get really hot, my left knee bruised and my wrist slightly battered. Mostly I was concerned that my cheek wasn't going to start bruising and/or get a black eye and that I wouldn't look good anymore. HA.
I was alright. The cab driver got me into another cab quickly so I wouldn't miss my flight and the two ladies in their did their best to cheer me up by offering me tissues and making light of the situation.... telling me I would make my flight etc.
Long story, short... I didn't make my flight. It was delayed. Got on another flight, but sat on the runway for about 3.5 hours and finally got to Beijing around midnight. It was a long day.
On Saturday my right shoulder began to hurt and the next day my right knee which then caused my right hip to tighten up. It's a trickle down effect and it has been interesting to see how my body has taken the trauma and reacted to it over the last few days. I must have actually crashed into my whole right side when I went flying and just felt my face because of the tolerance of pain that most joints and large body areas have.
Being the good yoga student I am.... er, well, hope to be.... I knew that the best thing for me was a long, slow, therapeutic yoga session. And I knew that it was important for me to USE my shoulder as much as I could... without pain.... in poses that were weight-bearing.... without pain. Weight-bearing poses promote blood flow.... i.e.- prana... and prana is the healing energy. So tonight I did EVERY shoulder, weight-bearing pose I could think of... I mean everything... from handstand (using and focusing on UPAs like a mad woman) to dhanurasana (with variations) to purvottanasana to urdhva dhanurasana to a long session with shoulderstand. I don't know if what I was doing was therapeutic... but it was what my gut was saying to do.... I knew I had to do it.
I kept saying to myself, "Move your shoulder, tell it that it's ok, send healing energy, don't be afraid, side body long, breathe, inner body bright..." yadayadayada... you get the point.
And I'll tell you what... there's nothing like a little injury to set your body straight! Talk about awareness! I was completely present in every movement I took. My practice was awakened and I was aware making sure my movements were precise. I used a lot more muscular energy than I am used to and did so in order to be pain-free.
Injuries are so motivating. Not that I want to have another injury. My hip currently is taking the brunt of the tightness and instability of my shoulder and I am made aware of it every movement I make. So I did practice a lot of hip openers as well and I think they temporarily helped.
In the end, I am thankful for the super therapeutic, mind-blowing, yoga practice I had and am grateful that I do know what I do know in order to help myself heal.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Weekend with Jordana
We spent the other weekend with our friend, Jordana, who's currently living and working in Nepal. She was kind enough to route her trip through Beijing, so we met her there. Chase had one extra night with her but when I arrived on Friday, we met some of our old friends and went to a Yunnan neighborhood restaurant which I must say is the best Yunnan food I've had outside of Yunnan! That is until next weekend when we take Chase's parent's to Kris' Yunnan restaurant. Kris is pictured on the left. It's not his but he is the Executive Chef at the Crowne Plaza where it's located.
We were the last diners and in fact they sent the chefs home and had to call them back just for us to eat! The waitresses sang us some songs at the end of our meal and told us to get going.... so we insisted on pictures with them. It was great fun.
The next day we had brunch at Capital M which overlooks Tiannanmen and the Forbidden City. Wonderful atmosphere and the weather was great.
We took Jordana for a walk around the Forbidden City and we met this little guy who was posing for photographs thanks to his parents who put him up on this ledge. Seriously...
Later that evening we met some other friends for Pizza at The Tree and drinks at Apothecary which is apparently a new hot spot on Beijing. So much has changed in one year there!
It was great to be back in Beijing and I will always say that. It's the city with the most imperial feel and everything is just so massive- huge streets, huge buildings, etc. I look forward to going back in a few days.
We were the last diners and in fact they sent the chefs home and had to call them back just for us to eat! The waitresses sang us some songs at the end of our meal and told us to get going.... so we insisted on pictures with them. It was great fun.
The next day we had brunch at Capital M which overlooks Tiannanmen and the Forbidden City. Wonderful atmosphere and the weather was great.
We took Jordana for a walk around the Forbidden City and we met this little guy who was posing for photographs thanks to his parents who put him up on this ledge. Seriously...
Later that evening we met some other friends for Pizza at The Tree and drinks at Apothecary which is apparently a new hot spot on Beijing. So much has changed in one year there!
It was great to be back in Beijing and I will always say that. It's the city with the most imperial feel and everything is just so massive- huge streets, huge buildings, etc. I look forward to going back in a few days.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Weekend in Taipei
So my weekend with John Friend went by fast. Two days was not enough time with him. I just loved listening to him and receiving all the great snippets of wisdom.
Practicing again with a group of people just gave me so much energy! I love the whole Anusara kula. It's a very different feeling you get from all other styles of yoga communities. And for me, I just get so walled in my own apartment, that I forget how much fun it can be to be around people. Well, I shouldn't say that, Conrad and I have been having a few great practices together and it's been really great to have someone in Hangzhou to practice with. I love practicing with Chase but there's a lot of tension in the way that I help him and guide him. I think Chase just needs to learn from others. Let's face it, it's difficult to receive criticism (even though I say things in the best way possible) from the one you love.
I am a control-freak, perfectionist, and technical junkie when it comes to yoga and Chase could care less about technique and wants to just "stretch". He's not into the spiritual aspect of yoga. And no one really is when they first take a yoga class. But over time, and I didn't dare tell him this for fear that he would resist it, it becomes a prayer, a meditation, a disciplined practice that takes you within. When that discipline came into my yoga practice, that was when I first began to feel freedom. Just as John Friend also said this weekend, paraphrasing of course, Stepping into and aligning with the flow of Grace is difficult, but when discipline is cultivated and you are able to be a part of nature's order and you step into that flow, you can ride its waves with ultimate freedom.
I also learned, and might have heard this before but forgot, and isn't it great to just hear and learn over and over again.... but anyways, the only three poses in yoga are: tadasana, Sukhasana/Siddhasana, and Savasana. All the other poses are just variations of these three so that meditation is easier because the prana is flowing better. I know I knew this... but it was great just reemphasize! It made my practice more meaningful in the sense that I remembered that the ultimate goal is not the asana itself but that it serves the whole body and mind to create a better union.
On Saturday I was asked to do a demo! Wow. That was great. I did Urdhva Dhanurasana to Ushtrasana and then back to Dhanurasana.
On Sunday I was asked to be a student for Patrick Creelman as he demonstrated how to "teach" handstand. Our theme was converging the themes of Yin/Ying which is so central to Daoism and the melting of the heart theme in Anusara. So the hands in handstand are yang- strong, supportive, solid... muscular energy and the melting of the heart is the yin- soft, supple, and sensitive, organic energy. So Patrick walked me and talked me though the handstand in front of the whole group. When I came down John announced that on this day Patrick became the first Certified Anusara teacher in Asia! WOW! I was so happy for him and was proud to be a part of that moment for him. How special is that.
We also talked about personal practice a bit and John made it clear that his purpose here was to light a spark within us that would carry us until the next time we met again. I am without a doubt, more invigorated, determined, and realigned in my focus. John definitely created a shift in me and my experience with him was unforgettable. I think that this was due to the fact that I was open when I came to this course. I was accepting of everything I received and I hope that I can take all that I learned back to Hangzhou, mull over it, practice, practice, practice, and go further in my studies. Oh and that includes studying with Lois in a few short weeks in Shanghai and this summer in India at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai!
Practicing again with a group of people just gave me so much energy! I love the whole Anusara kula. It's a very different feeling you get from all other styles of yoga communities. And for me, I just get so walled in my own apartment, that I forget how much fun it can be to be around people. Well, I shouldn't say that, Conrad and I have been having a few great practices together and it's been really great to have someone in Hangzhou to practice with. I love practicing with Chase but there's a lot of tension in the way that I help him and guide him. I think Chase just needs to learn from others. Let's face it, it's difficult to receive criticism (even though I say things in the best way possible) from the one you love.
I am a control-freak, perfectionist, and technical junkie when it comes to yoga and Chase could care less about technique and wants to just "stretch". He's not into the spiritual aspect of yoga. And no one really is when they first take a yoga class. But over time, and I didn't dare tell him this for fear that he would resist it, it becomes a prayer, a meditation, a disciplined practice that takes you within. When that discipline came into my yoga practice, that was when I first began to feel freedom. Just as John Friend also said this weekend, paraphrasing of course, Stepping into and aligning with the flow of Grace is difficult, but when discipline is cultivated and you are able to be a part of nature's order and you step into that flow, you can ride its waves with ultimate freedom.
I also learned, and might have heard this before but forgot, and isn't it great to just hear and learn over and over again.... but anyways, the only three poses in yoga are: tadasana, Sukhasana/Siddhasana, and Savasana. All the other poses are just variations of these three so that meditation is easier because the prana is flowing better. I know I knew this... but it was great just reemphasize! It made my practice more meaningful in the sense that I remembered that the ultimate goal is not the asana itself but that it serves the whole body and mind to create a better union.
On Saturday I was asked to do a demo! Wow. That was great. I did Urdhva Dhanurasana to Ushtrasana and then back to Dhanurasana.
On Sunday I was asked to be a student for Patrick Creelman as he demonstrated how to "teach" handstand. Our theme was converging the themes of Yin/Ying which is so central to Daoism and the melting of the heart theme in Anusara. So the hands in handstand are yang- strong, supportive, solid... muscular energy and the melting of the heart is the yin- soft, supple, and sensitive, organic energy. So Patrick walked me and talked me though the handstand in front of the whole group. When I came down John announced that on this day Patrick became the first Certified Anusara teacher in Asia! WOW! I was so happy for him and was proud to be a part of that moment for him. How special is that.
We also talked about personal practice a bit and John made it clear that his purpose here was to light a spark within us that would carry us until the next time we met again. I am without a doubt, more invigorated, determined, and realigned in my focus. John definitely created a shift in me and my experience with him was unforgettable. I think that this was due to the fact that I was open when I came to this course. I was accepting of everything I received and I hope that I can take all that I learned back to Hangzhou, mull over it, practice, practice, practice, and go further in my studies. Oh and that includes studying with Lois in a few short weeks in Shanghai and this summer in India at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Departures
It's so nice to be in Taiwan and access my blog without any Chinese censorship! Taiwan is so different and it's amazing to see what happens to a culture and compare the years of different government rule and what happens. It's the same people, but one culture led into Communism and the other into a more Democratic reform. Both have corruption. Both are growing immensely. But what I see more differently is the people and how they are more free, more educated, and more open-minded here.
I am partial Taiwan as I lived here ten years ago for a semester in college. It's bringing back all the memories to be here again. And I am so excited today to have a day off to go exploring. I am definitely going to check out the National Palace Museum again. In my opinion, it's the Louvre of Asian Art. The Nationalists looted China as they came here for refuge during the fight for control. They lost, but did they really? Because they have all the goodies. hehe. And most importantly, I am going to check out Tang and Song Dynasty celadon.... my most favorite. I only have half a day now as I have been in my hotel room surfing the internet. My what a few months of censorship will do to you when you are free to browse the internet again!
Another stop will be to see Taipei 101. It wasn't built when I was here but for a long time stood as the world's tallest building. I hope to get some views.
I am also meeting with a high school friend, Steve Ho, who now lives in Taipei. So that should be great to reconnect.
Saturday and Sunday.... *drumroll* I get to go to John Friend's workshop! I am signed up for both sessions so that will be two whole days of yoga yoga yoga!
Totally wickedly stoked.
Chase was also supposed to come on this trip, but he's in India. Doesn't sound too bad if you ask me. I would love to be eating idlis and dosas and sambar and sweets all day long. And yes, that's just about all I'd be doing.
Milo is with our friend, Conrad, who also just studied with John Friend in Japan last week for a Teacher Intensive. He's trying to set up Anusara style classes in Hangzhou which of course I am a big supporter of! Yay!
So big ups to everyone. Loving being on vacation. Man, I needed it! I couldn't even sleep last night because I was just so excited to be on vacation for yoga, well, and for myself.
I am partial Taiwan as I lived here ten years ago for a semester in college. It's bringing back all the memories to be here again. And I am so excited today to have a day off to go exploring. I am definitely going to check out the National Palace Museum again. In my opinion, it's the Louvre of Asian Art. The Nationalists looted China as they came here for refuge during the fight for control. They lost, but did they really? Because they have all the goodies. hehe. And most importantly, I am going to check out Tang and Song Dynasty celadon.... my most favorite. I only have half a day now as I have been in my hotel room surfing the internet. My what a few months of censorship will do to you when you are free to browse the internet again!
Another stop will be to see Taipei 101. It wasn't built when I was here but for a long time stood as the world's tallest building. I hope to get some views.
I am also meeting with a high school friend, Steve Ho, who now lives in Taipei. So that should be great to reconnect.
Saturday and Sunday.... *drumroll* I get to go to John Friend's workshop! I am signed up for both sessions so that will be two whole days of yoga yoga yoga!
Totally wickedly stoked.
Chase was also supposed to come on this trip, but he's in India. Doesn't sound too bad if you ask me. I would love to be eating idlis and dosas and sambar and sweets all day long. And yes, that's just about all I'd be doing.
Milo is with our friend, Conrad, who also just studied with John Friend in Japan last week for a Teacher Intensive. He's trying to set up Anusara style classes in Hangzhou which of course I am a big supporter of! Yay!
So big ups to everyone. Loving being on vacation. Man, I needed it! I couldn't even sleep last night because I was just so excited to be on vacation for yoga, well, and for myself.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Big Plans
The next six weeks are going to be quite busy here in Hangzhou. There's lots of travel, meetings, guests, and events to go to. Milo and I are sitting here on the couch. Chase just left for India for a couple of weeks and I leave for Taiwan to attend a John Friend workshop in Taipei on Thursday. Yippee!
Spring is finally here in Hangzhou even if it's just for one day and it is going to rain tomorrow.
Jordana is coming to visit in May. Chase's parents are coming for a two weekend and a week in between visit. And there's a trip in Shanghai somewhere in there as well.
I feel bad for Milo because for five out of the next six weekends he's going to be all alone.
That's all for now. It feels good to be busy...
Spring is finally here in Hangzhou even if it's just for one day and it is going to rain tomorrow.
Jordana is coming to visit in May. Chase's parents are coming for a two weekend and a week in between visit. And there's a trip in Shanghai somewhere in there as well.
I feel bad for Milo because for five out of the next six weekends he's going to be all alone.
That's all for now. It feels good to be busy...
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Downward Dog
So last week, something phenomenal happened. I have been doing downward facing dog for let's say about 10 years +. That is just the pose, the form, the shape. I have been learning the mechanics of it: the stance, the foundation, the hands, the shoulders, the tailbone, etc. I have always known my shoulders to be extra flexible and they end up crashing and splaying out. Often times, teachers will come over and give me an adjustment to remind me to hug my elbows in, hollow out my armpits, and plug the head of my armbone back and in. And this is easy for me to understand when I'm going other poses, but it always felt so good to just let my ribs hang out in downward dog. I felt like I was getting a more intense pose.
But somehow, a few days ago, I told myself that I was going to do the pose with integrity... no cheating, no collapsing... nothing. And I told my arms to hug in and my shoulder blades to move in and down!!!
They listened! Thank you oh Divine Love. I now feel downward dog. It's finally an exploration! It's joyous in every way. I want to say there and just feel the expansion in my heart. Downward dog is a backbend. Who Knew!?!?!?
I love that all I did was listen to myself, connected everything together and the pose became this delightful experience. Just talking about it now and thinking about how much this one pose has changed for me makes me want to go and practice it again and again.
So thank you yoga teachers, gurus, friends, who helped me and guided me.... for now downward dog makes sense.
But somehow, a few days ago, I told myself that I was going to do the pose with integrity... no cheating, no collapsing... nothing. And I told my arms to hug in and my shoulder blades to move in and down!!!
They listened! Thank you oh Divine Love. I now feel downward dog. It's finally an exploration! It's joyous in every way. I want to say there and just feel the expansion in my heart. Downward dog is a backbend. Who Knew!?!?!?
I love that all I did was listen to myself, connected everything together and the pose became this delightful experience. Just talking about it now and thinking about how much this one pose has changed for me makes me want to go and practice it again and again.
So thank you yoga teachers, gurus, friends, who helped me and guided me.... for now downward dog makes sense.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
What a great weekend!
So the last week, I wanted to take a mental health day and go to Shanghai for a day trip, but something came up at work and I was needed. So Chase's mission was to provide me the most relaxing weekend possible so that I wouldn't feel so burnt out.
(The school is enrolling more and more children, so my classroom is getting a bit chaotic until all these new ones settle in)
So on Friday night we went to a buffet with some friends at the Dragon Hotel. It was good, but the vegetarian choices were limited. So they just prepared some curry, pasta, and a pizza for me and my friend, Misha. Not bad. Was stuffed.
On Saturday morning we went on a bike ride through the tea villages with a mountain biking group that goes out every weekend. I had no idea if I could even make the distance because I never go on bike rides that are a very long. But I rode for about 4 hours! We went to Dragon Well Village, Long Jing Village, and through Nine Creeks (literally nine creeks merge into the Qiantang River). It was great. There were many hills, but now with my fancy new bike, they are manageable. I had a great time! We ate lunch at a tea house along the way and I was hoping to get a taste of this year's Longjing Harvest. This weekend was supposed to be the prime weekend for sampling it.... read... the most expensive time as well. So we didn't get any, but I don't really like Longjing tea anyways. The chinese think it's some great green tea, but I think the flavor is to sharp, strong, and not rounded enough. I like buttery, soft green teas. More of a japanese style.
Anyways, a yoga session with Conrad was next. Conrad just moved to Hangzhou and is working on this Anusara-Inspired status, so it's a fun time always practicing together. He was also part of our Friday evening buffet outing.
Chase and I passed out early on Saturday evening. Cycling just drains you.
Sunday I spent time around the house, went grocery shopping, had a good tutoring session, and made black beans, salsa, guacamole, and rice. Then we vegged in front of the laptop, catching up on the 8th season of 24.
The weather's been getting better in Hangzhou and I'm really looking forward to a beautiful week.
(The school is enrolling more and more children, so my classroom is getting a bit chaotic until all these new ones settle in)
So on Friday night we went to a buffet with some friends at the Dragon Hotel. It was good, but the vegetarian choices were limited. So they just prepared some curry, pasta, and a pizza for me and my friend, Misha. Not bad. Was stuffed.
On Saturday morning we went on a bike ride through the tea villages with a mountain biking group that goes out every weekend. I had no idea if I could even make the distance because I never go on bike rides that are a very long. But I rode for about 4 hours! We went to Dragon Well Village, Long Jing Village, and through Nine Creeks (literally nine creeks merge into the Qiantang River). It was great. There were many hills, but now with my fancy new bike, they are manageable. I had a great time! We ate lunch at a tea house along the way and I was hoping to get a taste of this year's Longjing Harvest. This weekend was supposed to be the prime weekend for sampling it.... read... the most expensive time as well. So we didn't get any, but I don't really like Longjing tea anyways. The chinese think it's some great green tea, but I think the flavor is to sharp, strong, and not rounded enough. I like buttery, soft green teas. More of a japanese style.
Anyways, a yoga session with Conrad was next. Conrad just moved to Hangzhou and is working on this Anusara-Inspired status, so it's a fun time always practicing together. He was also part of our Friday evening buffet outing.
Chase and I passed out early on Saturday evening. Cycling just drains you.
Sunday I spent time around the house, went grocery shopping, had a good tutoring session, and made black beans, salsa, guacamole, and rice. Then we vegged in front of the laptop, catching up on the 8th season of 24.
The weather's been getting better in Hangzhou and I'm really looking forward to a beautiful week.
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