A couple of days ago I hurt my knee, there is something about my job that invites injury. Firefighters are notorius for 'toughing' things out. So, I did my yoga class yesterday mindfully, and it feels much better today. It was pretty fun in class yesterday a woman was there for the first time and the teacher asked her how she liked it, and she said "This is HARD!" It is hard, but the tough part is the beauty of it. If it was'nt hard, I don't think personally I would have stuck with it, and truthfully, it is as hard as it gets if you lose control of your breath. I have found if I don't follow the directions about deep breathing and only in and out through the nose, the class gets tougher. I love seeing new people come into the yoga studio, it reminds me of how broken down I really was, and how much rebuilding was needed, and still needs to take place, your body does not 'make deals'. Bikram yoga is about honoring that hard fact. Your body rebels if you mistreat it. Your body tells you if you abuse it. And your body is always honest about it. I have had that conversation too many times, "Hey, if I fill you up with beer and chips at the bar for 4 hours, would you go running with me in the morning for 2?" It will do its best to co-operate, but it will let you know that it was a mistake to try to make a deal or bargain for less.
I will start out by saying this blog is going to encompass a lot of
things, including my desire to become a yoga instructor, my life as a
firefighter, my cats, and the most wonderful husband anyone could ask
for who supports me in almost every crazy insane thing I do in my life,
and seems oblivious to the fact that it is crazy, is insane and he
still loves me. The yoga is Bikram Yoga (hot yoga) and it has worked
miracles. I find an inner peace and calm that I have never had before,
so I can safely say that this may be one of the most sane decisions I
have ever made, but it is still horrifying to jump off the cliff into
teaching, as I am quite shy and introverted, (and a firefighter, who would
have thought?), but I still feel driven, and when the voice is calling,
do you shut it off, or do you jump?
