Little Revelations and Me Getting In My Own Way

Last Sunday, August 17, I attended my first 90 minute yoga session, led by the owner of Yoga To The People. I had some wonderful moments-like being in child's pose (see photo above) and feeling a connection/vibration I had not achieved before. I resolved to really focus on breath and find the inner strength to endure whatever this tough instructor and class bring.

The result was intense bliss afterwards. I felt my mind and body engulfed by honey sparkle sunshine. I could not help but smile.

Let me back up to the previous Wednesday class at Three Jewels. I had a session with Lisa-and I was the only student! The thing I love about Lisa is her knowledge of bringing deeper integrity to your pose and helping you stretch a bit further. Some poses like camel (see below) don't have to involve extreme backbending to be the most effective. I think I can study with Lisa for years, she is so open and knowledgable.

Now to my lapses, not in yoga practice, but in diet. After my sessions at YTTP, I'll go to my fave bar, d.b.a., where my friend Tawnya works.

Well, I did this last night and hung out with Tawnya till the wee hours. Of course, I am paying for it today. I've already administered Motrin to my affected area-the throbbing cabeza (head).

I meant to detox and live clean, I meant to quit coffee, I mean to.....blah! Blah! BLAH! Truth is I'm kind of afraid to detox, quit coffee and knock out a huge chunk of my social life by stopping the drinking.

But I'm going to do it!

There have got to be creative alternatives to meeting people in bars and drinking to have fun or enhance sex. And I will still be fun and more productive. I just booked my new untitled musical for next year, I have a solo art show coming up on September 11 and my monthly variety show. In keeping with a gentler way of living, I'm changing the name of my show. It is presently called The Sexahol Revue. Don't worry readers, I will let you know the new name soon!

I love what yoga is doing to my whole self and its time to embrace this adventure.

First Changes In My Diet

Last week I made a list of foods that I could live with and begin the diet transformation process. Okay, I really don't want to give up coffee (yet) and will honor the wishes of my body as I edge toward cleaner living.

Next stop-Whole Foods where I made my way to the skinless, organic chicken (about $3.-$4 for 4 drumsticks or 2 legs), I got Tamari gluten free, low sodium soy sauce, brown rice syrup (surprisingly delicious!) as a honey substitute, hummus, pita and organic yogurt-to have in the morning with cut up fruit and the rice syrup. I also bought an organic beer because I LOVE good beer. All my vegetables and fruits were purchased in Brooklyn while visiting my brother-so incredibly inexpensive. I will try to switch to the organic stuff when I get back to work.

Like I said, I am easing into the new lifestyle, so occasionally I will eat eggs with cheese for breakfast or have non-organic fowl like the turkey I ate today with the skin. If I eat really well for most of the week, I don't feel bad about lapsing on the weekend.

I almost forgot one of my most important purchases-Quinoa (keen-wah) a South American super healthy grain that takes on the flavor of whatever you put in it. I made mine (1/2 cup quinoa to 1 cup water) with cut up beets, Tamari and chopped garlic. It was surprisingly really delicious! When I needed to snack later after the grapes I bought didn't fill me up, I ate the rest of the quinoa.

Keeping up with my yoga practice is what makes my body want these healthy things. For the first time in my life I naturally desire the better foods.

I hear that miso soup helps when you want to suppress a craving-coming up next!

First Immediate Effects

After one or two sessions at home, I went out with a Native American friend and former teacher to hang out and have a bite to eat. We both were reaching a blood sugar low in the intense 90 degree heat on the upper west side of Manhattan, so we stopped into an old, wonderfully dingy Irish bar called Malachy's. I had a club soda with lime and fried chicken fingers and fries.

We then walked down the block to a Bikram Yoga studio (next to an OTB) to check out Yoga mat prices.

The cute gay guys at reception were very "ooh, come sweat with us in our 100 degree heated studio!" Blah! I thought the idea of sweating with these guys was hot, but I hate intense heat! So, Bikram is reserved for another day. I did buy the mat, though.

What I later discovered about mats is that you want a non slip mat, I recommend a Manduka mat. The one I bought is a bit too slippery.

Okay, we're shopping around on West 72nd Street and I start feeling sick with the runs-oh no! Need bathroom NOW! It was then I realized my body wants to ease up on the fried foods.

After that experience, I find I am eating only till I'm full, craving more fruit and veggies and am working on taking my daily eating habits to a new level.

My body is starting to tighten up, my butt is tighter, there's more definition in my abs, pecs and my legs are pretty amazing-lol. Even my walk is different, more open and I am standing taller.

With Yoga, you start to really pay attention to your body and it tells you what it needs. It doesn't matter how much you weigh, either. Just approach it gently and your yoga will increase intensity slowly and naturally.

Stay tuned for my detox adventure!