Local Warming

It’s been insanely hot here since the week started. The minimum temperature expected today is 28º C (82.4º F) and we’ve been exceeding 40º C (104º F) by far during midday, which is the shift I’ve been working lately. I feel quite relieved now that I’m off work until September. It might get even worse, so it’s good to know that I can spend that time of day safe at home with the air conditioning – or on the beach!

I’m not going to any special place this Summer. I can’t afford it now that I have to pay the teacher training (thank G*d I don’t have to make a single payment!) Besides, I have to take some exams in September and it’s wiser to stay and use the free time. I’ll stay a few days in an apartment near the beach here in the South of the island but that’s it.

I plan to practise tomorrow, probably in the afternoon rather than in the morning. We’ll see how it goes.

I’m So Thrilled

I’m taking the teacher training course. I still can’t believe that people with such a background are coming here to teach. At first, I had my doubts as to whether I’m ready or not to take that step, taking into account that my own practice hasn’t been that consistent these past few months. However, after much inner debate, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a chance I can’t miss; furthermore, it actually couldn’t have come in a better moment.

You see, the main problem I’ve had with yoga and the primary reason that I even gave it up for a while is that I somehow lost motivation. Keep in mind that I never had a teacher, so I had to learn on my own, buying lots books and DVDs. While I’m perfectly aware that yoga is an individual experience and a very personal journey, being all on my own became too much for me. That’s why I’m sure that this experience is going to give me that extra boost of energy and motivation that will put me back on the right track.

In preparation for the course, and taking advantage of being on vacation during August, I plan to practise yoga at least 3 times a week, starting today. I’ll still be fitting 2 or 3 days of Pilates each week, too. They’re completely different activities and, while I admit I’ve never been as fit as when I used to do yoga daily, I definitely don’t want to lose the Pilates. One month off that would be too much and I know I’d regret it come September, when I get back to work. Besides, it’s a nice way to do some cross-training.

The only downside of all this teacher training thing is that it’s really expensive. I was traying to save some money for a trip to Greece next year. On a longer term, I was also saving so I could finally move out of my parents’ place. As much as I don’t like the idea, I’ll have to put these things on hold because, well, there’ll always be time for them.

Yay!

Me likes this.

Winds Of Change

For the past few days, I’ve been feeling terribly guilty about the lack of yoga. Not only do I miss the serenity and concentration it gave me but I also feel angry with myself. Angry for becoming such a procrastinating person, angry for wasting my time so much, angry for giving up, angry for turning back to step 1. I’ve learned one thing along the way: the worst person you can let down is yourself.

I had an interesting and unexpected conversation with one of my Pilates students (customers?) about how we both miss yoga and how great it would be if they offered more yoga classes in the centre I’m working at. She actually encouraged me to give them myself because, in her opinion, that will make me realise how valuable yoga is and how crucial it is to mantain a regular practice. I thanked her for the support but couldn’t but deny the possibility because, after all, I haven’t had proper training (any training, for that matter) and don’t feel ready for such a challenge, either.

I must admit I’d love the idea of giving yoga classes. However, I’ve got lots of things in mind right now and, honestly, something’s gotta give. There’s the degree, there’s the Pilates, there’s The Girlfriend and now the dog (and that’s not all). I’ve got this feeling that I’m in some sort of turning point, as if I’m closing a cycle. Whatever that means, I need to get rid of all the meaningless things that take time and bring nothing good. Nevertheless, I’ve spent some time fooling around some websites, checking yoga courses. Although I can’t afford any of them right now, if things go fine during the next 6 months, I think I’ll be able to take one.

We’ll see.

A New Addition To The Family?

Since I’ve been really busy this week, I haven’t been able to practise Ashtanga at all. Much as I would have wanted to, my body is just too tired from all the Pilates. And knowing I’ll still be working at this rate for more than a week, I don’t see that happening soon, either.

Yesterday, I bought the “Sivananda Beginner’s Guide to Yoga” for The Girlfriend. She’s been wanting to do some yoga again for some time (she had to stop because she had a horseback riding accident last year, though it wasn’t anything serious) and we both agreed that the book could be a good resource for her. It’s packed with lots of useful information plus there are many variations to make the poses both easier or harder. Since she can’t afford regular yoga classes and doesn’t really have much time for that even if I payed for them myself, it’s pretty much all she can do. We’ll work together with this book and with “Total Yoga” by Tara Fraser (which has quickly become her favourite yoga book) to design a couple of easy routines that she can do on her own after learning them with some help from me. I might even make up a couple of routines for myself, as I’m afraid some gentle form yoga is all that my body could handle these days.

On a more personal note, I must make a confession: I think I’ve fallen in love. Yesterday, just before going to the bookshop, we walked past a pet shop and I had to stop. There it was, cuteness in the form of a French bulldog. I swear I’m not exaggerating by stating that it was love at first sight – from both parts, actually.

You see, we never had a puppy during our childhood. No matter how much we asked for a dog, my sister and I never got it because my parents said our flat was too small and we weren’t prepared for the responsibility (I think they meant they weren’t). That was until recently, because for reasons that remain unknown (although my sister’s persistent attempts at convincing my parents might have something to do with it), they seem to be more willing now.

There are, however, some issues that need to be worked out before we can have it. Should I buy it myself or should I let Mom pay half? If it’s mine, it’s mine with all the consequences. This means I’ll be the only one in actual charge of it, even though I’m positively sure that both The Girlfriend and The Sister will be more than willing to help. On the other hand, I’ll have to foot the bills (vet included) and I’m not sure if a) I can afford it and b) I want to spend that much money. The good side of it is, basically, that it’s my puppy and I can take it where I want to, when I want to. Even if that includes moving out, which I’m sure I couldn’t do if I’m not the sole owner because it’d be the family pet.

I haven’t made my mind up about it but I have to do it soon if I want to own the dog we saw the other day. I know it sounds all silly and superficial, but it’s just how I feel. I don’t want to make a hasty decision that I might regret but I’d be sooo thrilled to have it!