A Series Of Unfortunate Events….
I most definitely didn’t want to miss practice today, of all days, b/c we had the last three days off (Friday was the beginning of the Deepawali festival, Saturday is our usual day off, and Sunday was moon day). I did actually practice on my own on Friday b/c I didn’t want to go three full days without yoga! Nonetheless, I was very much looking forward to practicing today! So last night I set my alarm on my clock and my phone just to be sure (as I’ve been staying up a little later the last few days!)….So, when my sorry ass woke up at 4:50am this morning I thought to myself, “OH SHIT!” I flung myself outta bed and threw my clothes on and was out the door in less than a minute…Without my glasses I might add! So my usual twelve minute walk turned into a BLIND six minute sprint….I kept saying, “Just get there in time, just get there in time!” I was late to class twice back in May and Sharath called me out both times for it – didn’t want that to happen today – especially b/c it is led practice this morning…..
Well, I did make it to the shala before practice began, and I even had time to squeeze myself into a non-existent spot on the floor. As soon as I accomplished that I looked around and thought how extremely crowded it seemed in the shala today! After a closer look around the shala I realized that none of the other yogi’s who practice second series were there!!! “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I went to the office and told Sharath I didn’t realize there was going to be a second series class today! He said, “You go and come back!” “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
I grabbed my mat and placed all my belongings in the ladies locker room, and then made my way home. “Wow, what an interesting beginning to my day,” I thought as I walked home. No worries though b/c it gave me plenty of time to shower, do dishes and other odd end chores at home that I would have done when after practice anyway. So, around 6:20am I headed back to the shala…About seven minutes into my twelve minute walk I saw a yogi walking home!!! “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I can’t be running late – they didn’t even begin practice till at least 15 after 5am! So I sprinted to the shala b/c there was simply no way I was going to be late to class…Luckily I wasn’t – not even close (don’t know why that yogi left so early)…But I waited with the rest of the second series group a good five plus minutes before the led primary class even finished. Then we had our usual ten or so minutes of the first group giving respects to Guruji and leaving.
Well, it doesn’t end there either! I had my usual led second series spot – my comfy place on the far left side of the shala in the second row….But, b/c Eva (super sweet Spanish girl who usually occupies the spot in the first row right in front of Guruji) wasn’t present in practice today her spot was free – and Sharath told me to move myself there! Yikes!!!!!! WHAT PRESSURE! I grabbed my mat and towel and unexcitedly made my way to the front row in front of Guruji….And then practice began…It wasn’t all that bad to practice there – but as I expected, Guruji was about an inch from me during the whole practice…He didn’t sit in his chair on stage, no he stood –literally an inch from the front of my mat…Whenever I went into up dog I had to be uber careful or else I would’ve rubbed against his chin. And in some poses I had to back up pretty far when jumping through in order not to kick him. And when it came time for Bakasana, well I almost lunged into him…So I had to step back and jump again – but I landed on my triceps with no problem (YEAH). When it came time for Dwi Pada, Guruji helped me keep my balance with my hands to my heart center (I’ve really gotta ask Sharath how I will ever accomplish that pose with my tailbone the way it is!)…Anyway, as usual, after Dwi Pada, I made my way to the back of the Shala and did my finishing sequence. Aside from the series of unfortunate events that began my day – my practice was terrific! I felt really open and got warm quickly and was amazed how far I’m coming along in poses I struggle with! Simply marvelous practice to say the least!!!
2 Responses to “A Series Of Unfortunate Events….”
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October 23rd, 2006 at 3:47 pm
Is that Eva Oller, from Barcelona? If so, please tell her that Vanessa sends her love. Glad to hear that she is back in Mysore!
October 23rd, 2006 at 7:58 pm
you must be joking