After the intense back pain from thursday I drifted over to ISHTA for a restorative class mid morning. All I can say is that I will be back again and again. All the walking and carrying big bags and just everyday life can really catch up to you. I had to make time for myself to relax and let go. This was the perfect place to do just that. Gina was a lovely teacher and knew just what adjustments to make for me to ease into a deeper stretch and state of relaxation. She had a great sense of humor too, which I always apreciate in people (not just yoga teachers). She lit an aromatherapy candle and gave us all little eye pillows to use when we were in poses on our backs. That had to be the icing on the cake for me. I am a relative newby to the practice of restorative yoga...I guess I must of thought that my body didn't need much restoration, but I could not have been more wrong. I think I have some pent up stress, tension and anxiety to release (Gina I apologize in advance) so I will make this a part of my weekly routine. I clearly must have been feeling good after Gina's class because I went to Isaac's class at Sankalpah the same day 5 hours later! (NOTE TO SELF: stop parking your mat so close to the back wall...you don't actually like that spot! Stop trying to hide!) Class was great, just the amount of intensity I could handle. I am trying to listen to my body more. The problem is that my mind is obnoxiously loud! I guess I will just tack that on my list of TO DOs then mercifully try to let it all go when I am in Gina's class :) Isaac has a good eye and pretty much shows up at my mat just when I think about possibly going easy on myself...THANK YOU a thousand times for that. Everyone needs a good kick in the pants some time.
DAY 6! ISHTA: 8:15 am Raquel
I didn't think I would make it to this very early Saturday morning class. I set my alarm nevertheless for 6:50 am to make it in time from my apartment in East Harlem to the studio on E 11th street. To my surprise, I was up before my alarm and ready to go by 7:15 am. So I headed towards my class feeling quite proud of myself for being one of a few people up and out buzzing around town this early on the weekend! As I settled into class I had an "ah ha moment" (yes I love me some Oprah) I felt like yes, this is what I will continue to rise early for and travel near and far for, YOGA! I was so beside myself that I couldn't help but smile. All this even before class started. Raquel was an awesome early morning teacher. I'm convinced there is a separate skill set for teaching such early classes, especially in NYC. She was soft spoken and gentle and explained everything very well with great demos. She also encouraged us to feel our breath and movements instead of thinking too much about it. She ended with some cooling breathing exercises and some restorative poses! Yum!
Almost one week down and I am feeling pretty good.
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