Last weekend was an interesting weekend of sorts. I really wanted to get back into action but I was also very tired at the same time. The thought of a trail run would give me a little bit of pep but then exhaustion would take over and I would find myself feeling unmotivated.
Saturday morning, I thought I was going to kick myself. I could have had an early start on the trails and get at least two hours in before the storm set in and wreaked havoc in the neighbourhood. Oh well, this gave me a good opportunity to rest before heading out and running errands. I also found myself planning to squeeze in some sunset yoga that very evening. Earlier in the week, I received an email from Downward Dog Yoga Studio. They were offering free sunset yoga at Kew Gardens in the Eastern Beach of Toronto. Now did I mention Ujjayi Pulse - basically an Ashtanga Primary class with a live drumbeat in the background? I was totally sold and committed to being there.
After running my errands that Saturday, I made my way down to the Beach. In spite of the fact that it was the Honda Indy weekend, I made it downtown with time to spare. I was even able to find street parking close to Woodbine Beach, a short walk from Kew Gardens. The first order of business was to find a washroom and prepare for yoga. As I headed for the washroom, I was reminded that the City of Toronto's outside workers - including community centre and city-run daycare workers, and garbage collectors - were on strike. This meant that all public washrooms were locked down. I had no choice but to backtrack and walk up to Queen St. in order to use the washroom and change into something else. The only advantage to that was the fact that I was able to stop off at my car once again and put some of my unneeded stuff back. I had originally planned to curl up and read a book before class but the extra walk to Queen St. cut the time short for me. After arriving at the Kew Gardens outdoor pavilion where the class was to be held, I picked my spot and laid my mat down...
The flow was fantastic! Ron and Diane conducted an excellent class that evening. The drum beats kept us flowing and breathing with focus. This is definitely class I will be taking on a regular basis at the studio in Toronto. I had a taste of Ujjayi Pulse a few years ago in this same spot. I also took this class last month at the studio after work as a birthday gift to myself. Unfortunately, I found out about Michael Jackson's death after leaving the class. After this class concluded, we were rewarded with some cherries - freshly picked and as sweet as ever. I then took my time and strolled along the boardwalk back to the street where my car was parked.
The next day, I didn't have too much time to do anything. I was also babysitting a slightly strained neck which I was feeling that morning. It didn't affect me during yoga though... I quickly assembled my gear and headed for Kula with the plan to do Grant's Ashtanga Primary class, followed by a swim or run afterwards. The class started off alright. I was getting into the flow and wanted to make this class my own. Unfortunately, I had to cut out most of the vinyasas because my neck was becoming quite sore. I couldn't regret doing the previous night's class because it was where I wanted to be. I also did not regret doing this class. I needed the big stretch anyway. After modifying a lot of the poses that required the use of neck and shoulders, I was able to get through the class.
When the class was completed, I went over to the gym. The plan was not to swim or run, but to sit in the hot tub and try to use the heat to ease the pressure on my neck. Upon arriving at the gym, the pool was closed due to fouling. Oh well, no disappointment there... The big disappointment was when I went to sit in the hot tub. The water was very lukewarm. Definitely not enough to soothe tired muscles. I quickly changed into my clothes and left the gym for home.
That weekend, I really felt connected with my practise. As much as I was disappointed by the outcome of Sunday's practise, I still felt the connection from arriving on my mat.
Namaste...
Saturday morning, I thought I was going to kick myself. I could have had an early start on the trails and get at least two hours in before the storm set in and wreaked havoc in the neighbourhood. Oh well, this gave me a good opportunity to rest before heading out and running errands. I also found myself planning to squeeze in some sunset yoga that very evening. Earlier in the week, I received an email from Downward Dog Yoga Studio. They were offering free sunset yoga at Kew Gardens in the Eastern Beach of Toronto. Now did I mention Ujjayi Pulse - basically an Ashtanga Primary class with a live drumbeat in the background? I was totally sold and committed to being there.
After running my errands that Saturday, I made my way down to the Beach. In spite of the fact that it was the Honda Indy weekend, I made it downtown with time to spare. I was even able to find street parking close to Woodbine Beach, a short walk from Kew Gardens. The first order of business was to find a washroom and prepare for yoga. As I headed for the washroom, I was reminded that the City of Toronto's outside workers - including community centre and city-run daycare workers, and garbage collectors - were on strike. This meant that all public washrooms were locked down. I had no choice but to backtrack and walk up to Queen St. in order to use the washroom and change into something else. The only advantage to that was the fact that I was able to stop off at my car once again and put some of my unneeded stuff back. I had originally planned to curl up and read a book before class but the extra walk to Queen St. cut the time short for me. After arriving at the Kew Gardens outdoor pavilion where the class was to be held, I picked my spot and laid my mat down...
The flow was fantastic! Ron and Diane conducted an excellent class that evening. The drum beats kept us flowing and breathing with focus. This is definitely class I will be taking on a regular basis at the studio in Toronto. I had a taste of Ujjayi Pulse a few years ago in this same spot. I also took this class last month at the studio after work as a birthday gift to myself. Unfortunately, I found out about Michael Jackson's death after leaving the class. After this class concluded, we were rewarded with some cherries - freshly picked and as sweet as ever. I then took my time and strolled along the boardwalk back to the street where my car was parked.
The next day, I didn't have too much time to do anything. I was also babysitting a slightly strained neck which I was feeling that morning. It didn't affect me during yoga though... I quickly assembled my gear and headed for Kula with the plan to do Grant's Ashtanga Primary class, followed by a swim or run afterwards. The class started off alright. I was getting into the flow and wanted to make this class my own. Unfortunately, I had to cut out most of the vinyasas because my neck was becoming quite sore. I couldn't regret doing the previous night's class because it was where I wanted to be. I also did not regret doing this class. I needed the big stretch anyway. After modifying a lot of the poses that required the use of neck and shoulders, I was able to get through the class.
When the class was completed, I went over to the gym. The plan was not to swim or run, but to sit in the hot tub and try to use the heat to ease the pressure on my neck. Upon arriving at the gym, the pool was closed due to fouling. Oh well, no disappointment there... The big disappointment was when I went to sit in the hot tub. The water was very lukewarm. Definitely not enough to soothe tired muscles. I quickly changed into my clothes and left the gym for home.
That weekend, I really felt connected with my practise. As much as I was disappointed by the outcome of Sunday's practise, I still felt the connection from arriving on my mat.
Namaste...
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