I intended to do the Church of Tim this morning but then The Son had to get to a birthday party at 11, The Husband and The Daughter were driving to Father In Law's house and we spent most of the morning discussing a marital revelation that we came to last night after having a fight. I'm not sure if it was actually a marital revelation as much as me finally wording my grievances in a manner (thanks to a very helpful book called You Don't Have To Take It Anymore) that The Husband finally heard me and actually accepted and, dare I say, even agreed with my perspective on some issues that have been going on way too long in our marriage. Since I knew that Kiran was teaching at the health club, I didn't stress as that gave me an extra hour to do family stuff and then get to practice.

Normally the room at the health club is super cold and I hate having to do first series in there. Today I got there right at 11 (class starts at 11:15) and it was nice and toasty in the room. The class prior filed out and I put my mat down, was doing a bit of stretching when Ms. Loud & Know It All walked in. I don't know who she was but she was one of those people that walk into the room and decide that everyone must know what they think and why they think it. She began ordering her friend around "Oh, you really should put your mat here." The friend didn't want to and the lady was insistent and then said "Oh you know, it's just an intro class." To which her other friend agreed and they began commenting about the type of introduction. I popped my head up from pigeon and said "Actually, this is a first series class." To which Ms. Loud & Know It All said "yes intro" and I repeated that it was actually a first series class and that the intro class is on the opposite Sundays of the month. She argued with me and I repeated that this was not going to be an intro class in my understanding but that she should talk to the teacher when she arrived. Someone else showed up and overheard Ms. Loud & Know It All still discussing the matter of an introductory class with her friend and also piped up that this was not an introductory class but the full first series. I reiterated that, in fact, this was the hardest class that the club offered but that the teacher was excellent and they should stay. This was met with loud exclamations that of course, they've done ashtanga before and it's just too aerobic for them but they would stay and get their exercise in for the day since they were already there. I closed my eyes and blocked out the rest of her diatribe.

I was really happy to be doing first today with time and no stress at having to be at work. I asked Kiran if I could do my whole practice today and she was fine with that... so I did led with the class... Interesting news today... I actually did one whole chatarunga today. ONE WHOLE CHATARUNGA TODAY. It wasn't the most beautiful one... but my elbows were where they were supposed to be and I held it up for a split second before I nearly lost it. I wasn't even really trying but during the first few sun salutations, given the late time and the heat, I felt really really strong and it just came out. I tried it again after realizing I had actually done a chatarunga that could pass in front of Guruji (I think) and I didn't have the same power though I came close. After a couple though that was it, I couldn't pull anymore out.

Prasaritas (there are 4 A, B, C & D..this picture is of C) felt amazingly wonderful today. I had my left leg nearly full straight up in Utthita Hasta C. On my first jump through (to Dandasana) Ms. Know It All who was directly across from me started to laugh at me... I think she thought I had done something wrong. I gave her my most winning smile! On the next jump through I think she realized that you were supposed to be doing that. I was pretty surprised to pull off jump throughs up to Marichyasanas today. Mari D was a complete wonder today. Really comfortable, really twisted... in fact, I was looking at the guy next to me via the twist and he started cracking up because I was so twisted I was looking almost at him. I attempted some handstands between Navasanas but they didn't feel good and I can't get up without some air.

Then came Kurmasana and you know what? It felt AWESOME. My legs were over my shoulders, my legs were straight... it was great. I probably should have tried to bind Supta on my own but I really wanted to try Dwi Pada first so I came up and asked Kiran to help me. I was totally too far back when she started... and though she got my legs crossed, they wouldn't stay... I sorta felt more open to them staying today but my hair was in a bun and I couldn't get it out of the way. Once she helped me down, I was able to grab my fingers and it felt great... no real pull today through the left side and I was able to get up into Titthibasana after. The rest of first series was good and then I broke into Pasasana... Kiran helped me twist which was really nice and then she did her famous and quite wonderful adjustment in Krounchasana. She was doing her thing so far my leg was shaking worse than when I got my tattoo!!!

I struggled through Bhekasana on my own... did Ustrasana and then tried Laghuvajarasana again. Man, this pose is really really freakin' hard. I have no idea where to put my hands, elbows, head and I couldn't get up. Kiran came to help and I mumbled that I was stuck... she helped me up and then helped me get into Kapotasana. She got my fingers slightly more to the center of my feet but, realistically, I was more open Friday night after doing all the research poses. Kapotasana, however, doesn't hold FEAR for me the way I hear people talk about it... It really doesn't bother me while I'm down there... perhaps I will get a taste of that when I can get deeper into it. I, however, couldn't get up from that either. I was able to get my arms straight but not push up and come out of it.

Then I did 6 backbends and Kiran came over to her new "promised to get you up and down adjustment" and I have to say it works. She squatted on the ground and put her hands right at the top of my thighs. She told me to go back pushing against her hands. I didn't know what she meant and on the first one I went down to my head before she said "no no hands!" We tried it again... boom up... back up back up back up... then again back up back up. No problemo.... in fact, that adjustment made it effortless. I couldn't really get a feel for what she was doing to my body... it didn't really feel like she was doing anything... I kept trying to feel what movement she was giving me but I couldn't really tell (of course, we all know I'm not really good at that stuff). Anyway... it was really cool.

So all in all I had a wonderful practice today... but ever since I've felt really loopy and mind blown. It must be kapotasana... must be.

After class I went to the mall with Tiffany. Often Sundays the kids and The Husband are with the FIL so I have the day to myself and with the new "no working on the weekends" it's sorta cool. I really need to get some work clothes but all I could find was cute cute cute casual clothes. Tiffany was supposed to help me but she really just laughed at me. I did get a cute green Danang skirt and a cute Theory orange tank top (yes, they will not work for work) and a pair of BCBG work pants.... but I really really need work shirts and that seems to be what I can't find.

Ever since I got home I've been feeling like I was simply going to pass out. If I put my head down I probably would have. So to engage my kids I asked them to play Mario Kart DS on the Gamecube with me (as if that was a hard question to answer)... My kids can kick my butt on that game but I was finally getting it towards the end. I have also felt like eating nothing alld ay today. Again, it must be the backbends... just totally not hungry at all. For dinner I ate some couscous with feta in it and that was it. The Husband was asking why I was so looped out so I showed him the picture from that link on Kapotasana and he said "YOU can DO that?" I said "Well, not like that... I can't get my hands to my heels and my head isn't between my feet but I can do some semblance of the pose." I think he has no idea what I actually do on the mat. :) :)

This wireless internet thing in the house is cool.... I'm sitting in bed blogging.... tomorow is a big day for our family. I haven't blogged about it because it isn't my business to hang out on the Internet but there is some big stuff happening in my extended family, really really big stuff and tomorrow is the day when it is all supposed to "come together" --- and, of course, being the hostess that I am, I'm hosting this "coming together" at my house tomorrow.... so I'm making two lasagnes tomorrow (one with meat for my parents and family and one without for The Husband and I), salad, pie, etc. I still haven't been eating meat but shrimp and I've been CRAVING shrimp (which is pure protein so that makes sense)... I don't miss meat AT ALL except that cooking is MUCH easier during the weekdays with meat. I need to get creative again.

Tomorrow... a leisurely Mysore which I'm really looking forward to. MLK day and I have the day OFF. Hooray.