Oasis in the Concrete

The yoga studio in the mission district of San Francisco stopped me in my tracks. An entire day of walking around and feeling the street life had me drooling outside the door for a yoga class. I needed to land more fully in my body without trying to comprehend the state of the streets for an hour or so.

Once up the extra tall flight of stairs, I was not surprised by the beauty of the studio. I've never been to an uninviting yoga studio and this one was no exception. Sure, the outside looks like a prison, but inside was a stunning oasis of light, natural coloring, and space. The volunteer checking me in at the desk received unlimited classes as a barter exchange, which I imagined to explain the glow she had going on. Like many yoga studios, they provided the mats, and because it was a donation based happy-hour class, I felt extra grateful for the savings. I basked in this mind/body saving retreat for under $10.00, a real yoga deal.

I ended up being the only participant in the 4:30pm Friday class. I tried to let the teacher off the hook, but thankfully she didn't go for it. She said she'd be happy to teach for just me. I decided to believe her, and we had the private class. What a heart warming, body repairing session! I left the sanctuary ready to roam the streets for another several hours, this time with restored nerves and a centered mind.

Sound Medicine

http://www.exploratorium.edu/visit/wave-organ

     Even though my stomach was upset from the curvy road driving and lack of proper nutrition, having my close friend up from central California was still a favorite treat. After entertaining her children with trinket shops and talk of going to the wax museum, we wandered down to the wave organ to do some ocean listening. I recognized that the kids had lost some enthusiasm as we approached what looked like not much of anything, the wave organ.

The wave organ makes the best sounds during a full or new moon, but one of the pipes was still producing some ambient sounds from the sea during this particular half moon. To my grateful amazement, the deep and primal sound of the gurgling water had an immediate healing effect on my upset stomach! I was both surprised and not surprised by this. I know we are connected to nature and made mostly of water ourselves, but never had I experienced this kind of direct sound medicine from the sea! We all walked away feeling more attuned and balanced.

Harbor Seal Flow

           http://www.fitzgeraldreserve.org/newffmrsite/

     Today I had just the lesson I needed from the harbor seals in Half Moon Bay. The seals were basking, playing, and sometimes passionately arguing on the warm sand. Some would find their way back out to sea on purpose, while others just waited to be drawn back in by the certainty of the ebb. In either case, they did so not only with grace, but seemingly with glee. They inspired me to move my own body in a relaxed and playful way, and communicate as needed. Even more importantly, they seemed to say, 'it's totally okay to chill out.' I could not agree more. 

Arriving and Exhaling on the West Coast

West coast welcome

     A one-way ticket brought me here yesterday morning, but not as smoothly as my mind/body would have wanted. The baggage, even after many weeks of what I thought was precision packing, was still way too heavy for comfort. The Osprey Porter backpack was loaded down so much that one of the straps is already tearing apart at the seams. My carry-on roller case felt like it was full of boulders. At least I was able to sling it around and make it look easier than it felt. I did not fall down any escalators and I boarded public transportation in the quick time demanded. Today, my back, hips and neck feel strained.

Inquiring into the tension, I discover that although my mind was ready to travel, my body was still holding on for dear life as I knew it. The next few days will be dedicated to breathing, with a special emphasis on the exhale, and releasing tension in my body. Many weeks will unfold here in the presence of another inspiring body of water. The breathing tide is already showing me the way.

Yoga lesson: Focus on the letting go nature of the exhale throughout the day. Every out-going breath is an opportunity to let go of past and future concerns. Every in-coming breath is an invitation to be present. Do you have a wandering, planning, reviewing mind? Yes? Ok, notice those tendencies as they arise, then return to the exhale as mainstay of the present moment.