After a Lovely Day:

I did not post a blog yesterday, because I was lucky enough to enjoy an unexpected day off! Yesterday afternoon, I was to host a yoga workshop on the mechanics of balance in Hillsborough. However, it was canceled at the last minute late Saturday afternoon. In lieu of conducting the workshop, I stayed in bed until ten o'clock. I got up and enjoyed my breakfast and sipped my Earl Gray tea slowly. Robert and I enjoyed a movie, A Serious Man, by the Cohen Brothers. We then walked through the park, as it was a beautiful day, with the sun out and a light breeze. We ate burritos and ventured downtown, where we ran into a friend, who works at one of the coffee shops there. We walked across the street to enjoy ice cream, and we went home. Shoes off, jammies on, we cuddled until late evening, watching Wedding Sunday on WE TV, and ended the night with a tiny jam session...me on the bass, Rob on the mandolin. I couldn't have asked for a better day! A perfect start to a busy week!

This rainy Monday morning, I begin with a 9am yoga class. In addition to the rest of the students in attendance, I am happy to see my friends Susan and Steve. They are two accomplished practitioners, who have encouraged and influenced me on my own yoga journey these past few years. We begin by breathing slowly, and becoming quiet, so we can hear the rain softly strike the windows in an irregular rhythm. We then slowly move into our bodies, by moving with the breath: Inhale, lift the arms over head, Exhale, slowly stretch forward...we move in just this fashion for a whole hour or so, and after savasana, we end our practice with a sustained chanting of one OM.

After the class, I head to the studio for my dance practice. I diligently work through my "rudiments," as I call them. I begin with the back series, then move into exercises for the feet, hips and legs. I place one leg at a time on the barre and practice a series of micro-movement exercises, isolating individually various muscle groups and lifting my limbs slowly in response. I practice extensions and large movements. I jump a little and end with abdominal work and slow stretching. I leave feeling open in my joints and lungs.

My afternoon interning at the River Run Film Festival is uneventful. The rain seems to have infiltrated the minds of every one of the staff. They are all droopy eyed and talking of wishes for more comfort food and less spread sheets. At 4pm, I pack up my laptop and head home for a light lunch-dinner before my 6pm yoga class.

The 6pm yoga class has a completely different vibe than the morning's class. All the students have just come from work and rush in at the last minute, then proceed to yawn as they realize their fatigue from the day's work. I am getting tired, too. I muster all of my energy to remain spirited through the last twenty minutes of class. After class is over, I stop at Whole Foods to buy my second dinner, because I can. Scalloped potatoes, collard greens, rice and tempeh. Chocolate covered cheese cake bites for dessert. This evening I will finish an application or two, and prepare for tomorrow's adventures.

Cake Boss is on soon!

~Cara