Yoga Retreat at the Yogatorium March 31

What a great yoga retreat we had on Saturday. Thanks to all who came and made the day successful beyond words! I feel so humbled and honored by the gathering of all of you to share ourselves for the day. There are many photos from the day on my fb page so go take a look. We did spend a whole hour doing ordinary Yoga for Any Body work but in the afternoon - an hour of Restorative Yoga poses that truly relaxed everyone. I LOVE doing these slow, comfy poses. We experimented with some that were really nice and some that were more difficult, but all fun for me anyway! Here's one of Pat illustrating the Child's Twist Over Bolster - my favorite. All of the poses came from Asheville Yoga Center teacher training recently.

Life is GOOD

Two more days till our next Yoga Retreat at The Pond. I'm getting excited! The theme this time is gratitude. I'm having a ball reviewing my books and picking up ideas for us to make this an enriching experience for all. Didn't get into the hammock yesterday. Too busy cleaning pollen off the porch, etc. What fun to get ready for guests! And, after they are gone I will still enjoy the clean places! I even washed the Yogatorium windows outside! Maybe I'll get to the insides too. All together, I'm totally excited about Saturday's event. Life is GOOD!

Happi-Time at the Pond

Today is rest day - Wednesday - no class until this evening and no errands - just goof off day - looking forward to at least some time in the hammock unless the pollen seems intolerable. The wisteria is so beautiful I must share it with you. It is even more so since it was a gift from Herschel Harper - a friend in Clemson who gave it to me when we moved here. There's something very special about gifts that are plants. Even indoor plants bring smiles to my face each time I glance at them and remind me of the friend who gave them to me. It's Happi-Time at the Pond today!

Today is rest day - Wednesday - no class until this evening and no errands - just goof off day - looking forward to at least some time in the hammock unless the pollen seems intolerable. The wisteria is so beautiful I must share it with you. It is even more so since it was a gift from Herschel Harper - a friend in Clemson who gave it to me when we moved here

Adela Choquet - 96-year-old yogini

I'm home. Got home yesterday and am almost settled back in. My most exciting event was meeting 96-year-old Adela Choquet who teaches yoga at The Villages MVP Athletic Club AND being in her yoga class! What a kick! Here I am with her and her assistant, John. She's originally from Chile and has been teaching for 40 years! A delightful person inspiring me to expect to practice and teach another 20 years! Also a delightful time visiting with Muriel and her friends as well as two nights with Karen and Tommy in Kathleen, GA, near Warner Robbins. The Villages must be the 10th wonder of the world! Or are there already ten? I'll have to google to upgrade my knowledge of such. .....Glad to be back - on my way to the Y for class now. Have a great day!

The Villages, Florida

Here I am in The Villages in Florida with Muriel, Luke's mother-in-law and my friend. The trip has been great - stopped in Kathleen, GA for a night with long-time friends Tommy and Karen and will go back there on Saturday. I've never before in my life seen so many golf carts! The Square was packed with them in all the parking spaces yesterday afternoon at happy hour. The noise level from the outside tables was as high as if they were all teen-agers or yuppies, or something other than the "aging population." And, everything is as beautiful as Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island. Landscaping beautiful, homes beautiful, and unbelievable that such an oasis can exist - 100,000 people are enjoying this place!!!........In a few minutes we are jumping on the golf cart for a trip to the MVP Athletic Club for a meeting with the 96-year-old yoga teacher! I'm hoping to get into her noon class. But, at least I'll get to meet her. .....I'm beginning to relax into this nice vacation.......More later.

Victim vs. cause agent

I have had a truly busy week recovering from the teacher training in Asheville and am now preparing for my short vacation leaving on Tuesday for Florida. This morning I read something in my notes from several years ago that has been on my mind all day long. Perhaps you will find it worthy of pondering. I'm not the victim of the world--I'm causing the world. To me that's both scary and challenging. What does it say to you?

I can't believe it's been a week since I posted! Still just a quick one for now but I do want to share wise words I read this morning that I think are well worth pondering: I'm not a victim of the world - I'm causing the world. Somehow, I can't get this truth off my mind today.

Home from Asheville Yoga Teacher Training

Good morning! GREAT weekend of lots of learning - 9 hours Friday, 10 on Saturday and 7 on Sunday. SO full to the top with information I hope to transmit to all my students eventually! For now, I'm trying to go through all my notes, order recommended books, CD's and DVD's, and solidify what I was exposed to. A wealth of yoga practices from asanas to chants and guided visualizations and meditations - all applicable to the "aging population." Which, of course, is all of us!....Home all this week but another trip next - leaving on Tuesday heading for The Villages in Florida for a short visit with Susan's Mom, Muriel. Been promising to visit her for three years now and finally will actually do so! Hope to get a chance to attend a yoga class taught by the 96-year-old teacher there. Inspiring!!!!

Asheville - Senior Teacher Training

I'm in Asheville - just finished the first all day session of yoga Senior Teacher Training. It was absolutely fabulous. Learned so much I can use in my classes! And, I still have all day tomorrow and most of Sunday to learn more. It's hard to describe the exhilaration I feel in these surroundings. I must take the time to enjoy more of such training - if and when it arises. This particular one I'm sure is the most beneficial I could have found for my current classes. And, for me! I think my Chair Yoga classes in particular will really enjoy many of the new poses I've learned. And, all the other classes will, too. It has been reassuring to learn that much of what we've been doing is good stuff and needs to be continued. .....Slept 10 hours last night and plan to do the same thing tonight. You may or may not hear from me again tomorrow. After the second full day I may be batty - battier than I already am. We'll see. (The photo was taken two years ago in Santa Fe - but I can still do the headstand!)

Peace

Once again, I'm on the porch listening - the rain on the tin roof is like a song of silence. I know of no other such soothing music. It is early Saturday morning when most are still sleeping. For me, early morning is my favorite time - a time when all seems right. Once the activities begin, disturbances, even though mild, occur. Now, nothing disturbs. Deep breaths come naturally. Buddhist half-smiles comes naturally. Meditation occurs naturally and no-thoughts allow an escape beyond the ordinary world. Thanks be to God.

Life is Springing forth!

Here it is already March! I must share with you this closeup of the lovely daffodils at the Yogatorium. And, here are blossoms on the star magnolia. Both plants are gifts from loved ones. What a joy! How can anyone not be joyous this time of year with such beauty just outside our doors? See the tiny insect in the daffodil? See the bud waiting to open on the magnolia? All living things are about to blossom forth with new life! Me, too!