bikram. torture. chamber.

OMG it felt like a torture chamber in the yoga room today. Hot, humid, crowded. Was not appreciating the teacher or the group energy. My knee was hurting during class (but luckily feels better after.) It was just ugh mixed with yuck mixed with angst. But you know what? It passed. When I got into the changing room, I had a text message from a friend asking me to meet up for a drink. I called her and said that I needed food way more than I needed a drink so we met up to chow on Chipotle. We laughed and laughed and ate and laughed and it was just what I needed. Yay for yoga and friends!

When things fall apart...

My yoga practice has gotten sporadic. I got back on my mat today and it was quite possibly my worst ever class. But I think that also makes it my best ever class. I felt AWFUL. There are some classes that feel like exercise or a work out of some sort - classes where you feel like you're stretching and strengthening and working your physical body. This was not one of those classes. The stress and angst of the past few weeks just seemed to be bubbling to the surface, making me hot, tired, dizzy, weak. I had no choice but to deal with the discomfort for 90 minutes... and then it passed. I picked up a book today called "When Things Fall Apart - Heart Advice for Difficult Times" by an American Buddhist nun named Pema Chodron. Just like Bikram, she recommends embracing the difficult times. I think my Bikram practice will be a great complement to this reading on Buddhism.