Try It On!

Jennifer Yarro is the lady who is running my Yoga Teacher Training here at Frog Lotus Yoga.
On day 1 while talking about the different options she was going to be offering us, she said, "Try it on...you might not like it yet, but try it on!"

Those words really resonated with me since I'm trying a whole lot of different things (on) right now. I'm basically a non-willing vegan, I'm not eating my favorite veg, and currently I'm asking my body to sit still for 30-minutes at a clip...oh and I'm not talking (Mon-Sat) until 9:15AM. Of course there is also the fact I'm learning a new language, sanskrit, and practicing yoga for 2hrs daily. That is a lot of things to try on...at one time.

But, I'm willing to try it on! Sure there are somethings that are "fitting" better than others. Yes, it is easy to try some of the things I'm trying in my little yoga-bubble...and I think that is OK! Maybe you can't make a "bubble," but you surely can "try something on!" Last night was a huge test for me. All of my classmates had delicious pizza, while I ate dairy free, tomato free, gluten free, and nightshade veg free pizza. (On my facebook page one of my friends suggested it was also taste free!) While my pizza was not nearly as mouth-watering as the others...it really wasn't that bad. Maybe even a good start for me to explore and try different variations. Check out the difference between my pizza and my friend's Melissa's pizza. I think her's might be a better "fit" for me.

So...I'm trying a lot of things on right now. Some I will keep, other's I may not. I'm OK with what it is I'm trying to do right now. Which one is the better fit for you? I'm no longer talking about pizza, rather something you've been wanting to "try on!" Give it a try. You may not be able to make a big yoga bubble like I'm in, but I know you can make a little bubble and try one or two things on. What's the worse thing that can happen? You stop?

Son Of Asana!

So...my intention was to blog every day I was here at Frog Lotus Yoga, but as Amanda Crocker will attest...ding dang ya'll this is a tough course. (I started following Amanda's blog when she went through FLY about this time last year.) I have written down about 15 different blog ideas, but really have no free time to post them. I have no wi-fi in my room, and really only have about 20-30 minutes a day of free time to actually blog...and 15 of them are during lunch. Most of you know I go to bed early, because I wake up early. Truth be told...I'm actually sleeping in a bit here...all the way till 5AM.

I wanted to share with you...especially those who either A) Think I'm Crazy, B) Know I'm Crazy, or C) Interested In What It Is I Am Doing...what my day looks like:

5:00 AM - This is the time I wake up. I enjoy a small cup of coffee and toast with almond butter. I think the hardest part so far is sharing my morning routine with 20 other people. I'm not use to people being up and around at this time of day. OBTW...this is also when I begin my OATH OF SILENCE! As you can imagine, this is not an easy task. This silence continues until 9:15AM. I will do some light reading during this time.

6:30 AM - I arrive for my morning 30-minutes of meditation. Right now we are only at 20-minutes. I basically straddle a bolster as if it were a horse, tuck my feet under and sit motionless for 20-minutes focusing on my breath and or a mantra in an attempt to slow and quiet my mind.

7:00 AM - I begin a rigorous asana practice for 2 hours and 15 minutes. It starts of slow and gentle. Focusing on joint movement and breath. Slowly it builds up energy/heat toward a goal of preparing my body for some kind of deeper pose. There is always an opportunity for wall work, where many of us are working on headstand, handstand, and forearm balance. (The later I was not able to achieve until coming here.)

9:15-11:00 AM - This is the time I have to make fresh! (Shower) I sweat A LOT!!! I have been taking my yoga towel with me into the shower and washing it too. I have my breakfast which has included mini-wheats and almond milk, an egg or two, and some days fresh juice. One of the students brought a juicer. FYI...you must try this. 1-cucumber, 1-green apple, and a little bit of fresh ginger. I usually have about 15 free minutes here where I check my e-mail on my smartphone, and review my notes in preparation for my afternoon classes.

11:00AM - 1:00PM - This is when we check-in on the morning's asana practice. (yoga practice) We also learn about 5 new poses and the assists for each of them. We are learning the sanskrit for each pose. So not only am I learning more about yoga...but I'm also learning a new language. (All in 30 days.) We also take time to teach the poses to each other during this time.

1:00 - 2:00 PM - LUNCH! I have kept my restrictive diet since I've been here. I suppose I feel better. I've not taken my medication...and I don't feel any worse that's for sure. So for those of you playing at home...I'm basically a vegan right now who can't eat most of the good vegetables, and I'm eating eggs.

2:00 - 4:15 PM - This is the time I'm learning about yoga theory, history, philosophy, and anatomy.

4:15 - 6:30 PM - During this is time I can either observe a yoga class that takes place here at Frog Lotus Yoga, take a class, (next week I will be able to assist in the class) study/practice the poses I learned, or run errands.

6:30-7:30 PM - DINNER! There is an incredible chef here who has been making some amazing food. I think I might be gaining weight on veg ya'll!

7:30- 9:00 PM - More study time. Each night my homework includes practicing the poses I learned that day. A writing assignment based on some kind of yoga philosophy, and a reading assignment. I also have to work on the three poses I chose to work on. I came here to quiet my mind so that I could have clarity. The three poses I picked where not based on my inability to perform, but rather their ability to add focus and clarity. I picked Adho Mukha Vrksasana (headstand), Salamba Sirsasana (handstand), and Natarajasana (Lord of the dance)

So as you can see...I'm very busy. I have Sunday's off, and plan to write a few blogs then and launch them either all in one day, or at least have them on the ready so I can launch them easily. Namaste!

Yoga Camp Day 1

Well...it was very stressful getting here...but I made it. At 50-miles in, my check engine light came on. Every time I went through a toll booth, or stopped, the car would stall. UGH! Then, I lost GPS signal in the middle of what felt like Nowheresville, Massachusetts. But I made it!

Frog Lotus Yoga is an amazing place. It is an old wood mill turned yoga/art studio. The place is MASSIVE! The furnishings are a perfect balance of eclectic and Ikea. The students are equally mixed. The age range is 20-60. They have traveled far and wide too. There is a student who was teaching in Kuwait, left there and spent the past month working on a sustainable yoga farm in Costa Rica. There is a student from the Netherlands, one from Milan Italy...and one who drove from Seattle. Right now I'm enjoying a cup a coffee with a student who has been practicing yoga as long as I've been alive.

I think this is going to be a good experience....now to work on calming the mind.

Why Yoga?

Contrary to want many might thing, I'm not subjecting my body to a vegetarian diet and immersing myself into a 30-day yoga intensive to prove I'm better than anyone. Yoga for me has always been personal. This latest journey is no different. I practice yoga to quite, balance, and calm my mind. The physical aspects of yoga are a definite plus too~! However, its my mind that benefits the most. It brings me much pain to admit, my mind works differently than most. I prefer to think I have a gift..and often times it is a gift...but sometimes it is a HUGE hindrance. My mind is constantly on the run and yoga slows it to a jog and sometimes to a walk. Additionally, my ADD often makes me a crappy husband, father, and friend...none brings me joy!

I'm a foodie. I LOVE TO EAT! Many of you know my affinity for the crisp and salty nectar of bacon! Over the years I have reduced the amount of bacon I eat. For the past seven months, I've even reduced the amount of meat I eat...at the same time I've increased the quality of meat I eat. So for me to give up bacon...and meat, you know this is a huge undertaking for me. The elimination of meat from my diet is more about controlling my mind than any specific health benefit.

I believe, if I can go one, two, three months...or longer without meat...I can do anything else I want with my mind. Its an additional discipline for my mind.

My overall goal is to translate the clarity and awareness my current journey brings me to improve my personal shortcomings. (Here we go!)

Vegetarian Day 10

TODAY is day 10...but don't call me a Vegetarian just yet! To be honest, the hardest part so far is thinking of things to cook. I have no training and no cookbook. I've just been going to Trader Joes and buying things that interest me. Last night's meal...probably the best so far. Veggie Fajitas, sans tomato, cheese, and salsa. It wasn't tough watching the rest of my family eating meat...it was tough not putting cheese and salsa on mine. Maybe...I'm a condiment man?

Add to this vegetarian diet with the fact that it has been almost a month since I've had any dairy...well I did have a little sour cream when I was in California. It has also been about a month since I've had tomatoes and peppers. My doctor has put me on a restrictive diet! No nightshade vegetables. This has proven to be tougher than no meat. For the first two-weeks I was eating potato, I didn't read all of the info. My bad!

Funny thing is...I don't feel any differently. With the exception of being gassy! The doctor says it can take up to a month to feel anything. So...I wait. The good news is I'm off to Frog Lotus Yoga at the end of the month. There I will have a vegetarian chef cooking two vegetarian meals a day. Plus, yoga two times a day. I should feel something then.

The transition has been pretty easy. Hardest parts are: lunch at work, and coming up with something to cook. I've enjoyed tofu several times in various forms. Friends have told me I can get tofu bacon, which sounds interesting and disgusting at the same time. (It also might be sac-religious!) I made quinoa again with little success. Every time I make it...it is either over cooked or undercooked. This is a very earthy...and hardy meal. Portabella mushrooms have also become a staple in this 10-day stretch.


I still don't know if I will become a vegetarian, or if I will simply be more conscious of what I eat.

On Becoming a Vegetarian

SO! When I attend my Yoga Teacher Training in August, I will be on a complete Ayurvedic diet. This is a 100% vegetarian diet. The teacher suggested I begin to prepare by reducing the amount of meat I eat. Lucky for me...I've already been doing this. Even luckier for me...my doctor has put me on a super restrictive diet. (for various reasons...not discussed here.) One of the things I can no longer eat is...DIARY!. Yep...this means NO CHEESE for me. So, I've switched over to Soy. Guess what??? It's not too bad. I've been eating the Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo for awhile now and almost prefer it over the real deal. I switched to Soy Creamer...same thing. I think I like it better than half and half.

The other day I picked up Trader Joe's Italian Sausage-Less Sausage. Wasn't sure what I was going to make with it. Ended up making Tuscan Soup. This is made with sausage, russet potato, kale, and heavy cream. I substituted the soy sausage and soy creamer...IT WAS WONDERFUL! The soy creamer broke a little, but it had great taste. FYI the faux-sausage tasted fantastic. I highly recommend it.

FYI...there is no reason (as of now) for you to worry about me replacing my loving bacon!

Yoga with a Chest Cold

I've had a serious chest cold for the past week. This has made my yoga practice very difficult. This must be yet another duality of yoga. I'm in California practicing outside in the awesome weather...but have to stop every 5-10 minutes to clear the phlegm.

I wonder if my diet change has anything to do with it?