The Competition




Kathryn Budig (She Who Was Born to Make Us All Feel Yogically Inadequate) in
eka pada rajakapotasana, from Yogajournal.com

I don't go to group yoga classes anymore, mostly because I haven't found one I like around here at a time that fits in with my odd and ever-changing schedule. I have a private lesson once (occasionally twice) a week and try to fit in home practice most days. This works for me because we can arrange the timing to suit both of us; it also works for me because I find the element of competition seems to sneak into every class and I don't like it.

Having said that, I'm well aware that yoga brings out my own competitive streak, even in my individual lessons. Like any endeavour, there are occasional break-throughs, and long periods where it seems that nothing changes. What seemed like an amazing achievement a year ago now seems humdrum - I need the next fix. When I don't seem to make any progress in the poses I hate (yes, not a very yoga word, but I'm being truthful here), the strong temptation is to give up, go into a corner and indulge in the self-talk that says 'I'm hopeless, I'll NEVER be able to do that, I don't know why I thought I might ...'.

So back to my previous post. It's constance that's the key. So I struggle horribly with backbends. So keep doing what I can, even if it's not very much. That's all. Hanging in there and sticking with it, even when I feel like a failure, is the victory.

The King of Comedy

Yesterday was a beautiful day, cold (for us) but sunny. We made the most of it by heading out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The view back to the Manhattan skyline from the Statue was amazing - I did take a photo but it was smoggy over the city, so it didn't look that great. Besides, so many amazing photographs have been taken of this city that one's own holiday happy snaps tend to look a bit lame, I think.


Once we got back it was mid-afternoon so we had a bit of a rest before heading out for a wander. We walked up to Union Square and caught the end of the Farmers' Market there - I plan to go again, earlier in the day next time. The fruit and veg looked fantastic and I saw fresh cranberries for the first time in my life. Unfortunately I didn't find any roasted chestnuts, but we drank hot apple cider (fantastic) and bought a blueberry pie for later.

We had an early dinner in a funky little place on Union Square called Republic and then had an early night. Tonight we'll go out properly and find some jazz or something.

Today I had my postponed yoga class with Martha Stewart's niece. It was great and she is absolutely lovely. I had to get the subway to Brooklyn but I didn't take into account that a Brooklyn block is bigger than a Manhattan block, and I had to walk about 15 blocks in the pouring rain. I was wet and cold but pleased that I'd made it when I got to the studio - and the class was great. Sophie was heading into town afterwards too, so we went via her apartment (GREAT apartment), where I got to meet her roommate and the roommate's dog. Then we caught the Q together and I got off at Times Square.

Andrew and I had lunch at Bryant Park, then wandered down to Grand Central, where we gawped, then strolled back to Times Square for a bit more gawping. It was fun.

We're back in our apartment now, where Andrew is reading all his race info (he picked it up this morning instead of coming to Brooklyn with me) and trying on combinations of clothing, not to go out anywhere, to run the race in. Hmmm.

Shopping thus far has been extremly understated - two umbrellas (!), a sweater and a woollen jacket for Andrew and one beige boyfriend cardigan for me, just to expand my uniform. I believe more shopping will occur tomorrow when we're Midtown around the Museums, tomorrow being designated Culture Day (followed by Sports Evening when we go and see the Knicks at Madison Square Garden). Oh, and I am also going to a free yoga class with Sophie, if I can fit it in.

Ok, I hate travel blogs/notes that are essentially a laundry list. And then I've gone and done one ... I guess it's just that feeling that if I don't write it all down, I'll forget!

So, things I love - the ethnic diversity, the great food stores, the buzz, the subway, the architecture, the mail boxes, Jalapeno Pringles (ok, so not a good habit, but hey), hot dogs, bagels, lox, pretzels, etc, the bookshops, the parks full of people, the steam from the subway vents. Things that bemuse me - the appalling coffee, everywhere, and being treated like a criminal at all points of entry and departure. I know the security is necessary, but it is not pleasant.

Anyway, I am now off to collect my laundry (perhaps the best thing about being on holidays is virtually NO HOUSEWORK) and buy socks.

And we've just booked to go to the Comedy Cellar tonight ... More boring detail to come tomorrow.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

My yoga teacher went on holiday for two weeks. Very very unkind of her. I had to subsist on home practice. And then she came back and tortured me. She made me do this pose.

Pic from http://www.yogaartandscience.com/: Supta padangusthasana III

This guy is clearly some super-yoga dude, and even HE looks uncomfortable. Maybe that's why it's the only picture of this pose I could find.

I suggested my teacher might like to head off on holiday again soon.

But ... I also managed to do this pose Off The Wall (for about 5 seconds, it's true, but STILL).

Pic from http://www.sarawhitney.net/

Of course, I didn't look anything like that. I probably looked like some crazy flailing thing. But progress is exciting.

Let the Right One In

I have a friend who is a bit of a hippie. Ok, a lot of a hippie. He likes to tell me that I need to let go of my attachment to outcome, and be 'in the process' more.

I am learning to apply this to things like yoga - that's why it's called 'practising' yoga, I guess. There is no end point. Of course, it's still utterly exciting to me when I manage to do something new (2 minutes in unsupported headstand, honest!), but I can also appreciate just being in the moment.

But I'm not sure that it works completely as an approach to modern life. While strenuously avoiding my magazine deadline last week, for instance, I thought about telling my editor that I was letting go of my attachment to outcome - so I'd just keep writing the story and never submit it.

Or dinner. That would be a good one. 'Sorry, kids, I'm in the process, but let's not get attached to the idea that there might be a meal on the table this evening.'


On a completely different note, I was aghast to read this story. Please tell me they won't choose Scarlett Johansson to play Lisbeth Salander ... It's stupid enough that they're making a US version - what, people can't read subtitles? - but even worse if they give the lead to a pin-up like SJ. Even Rubberlips Jolie would be better. Noomi Rapace was perfect in the role. Sigh.