Well, I ended up not going upto Dallas and have had a pretty mellow weekend at home. Jeff had to work on the computer virus situation and so I decided to work a little as well. Normally, I give myself the weekends off, but I didn't get as much as I wanted to done on Friday, so I kind of caught up Saturday morning. Then I went to practice with Christina's new immersion group. It was a little strange walking in the room and it being a whole set of new faces. Sort of like a new semester at school.
Then we ran some errands and ate dinner and went to look at Caroline Wright's Migration showing. I saw a couple things I'd like to buy and one I will relatively soon. The walls in the westrock house are very beige and I've grown used to more bold colors....
This morning I subbed for Mandy who has been laid low by a variety of ailments. The Hatha Star class was huge. We worked on, what else, opening the hips and shoulders. Did a lot of padaghustasana work of various sorts and then I taught inversion in the advanced class. Sirsasana I, II, and III and Niralamba Sarvangasana I, II.
Then Jeff and I got totally yummy samosas for lunch at the Indian Food Grocery on Burnet. They were fabulous.
I'm going to work for awhile this afternoon in anticipation of not doing too much tomorrow given the trek to San Marcos for Labor of Love.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday Morning
Writing went well yesterday, though I got off to a slow start. I revised about half of the Lysis chapter and will do the rest today. I also hit upon a revision plan where I'm going to spend a week on the Republic chapter and then a week revising an earlier mostly finished chapter and then go back to the Republic for a week. I think that will help keep my perspective fresh. And help me see the whole and the parts.
That's the current plan of action anyway.
After spending the afternoon writing, I went to CT's yoga classes. Jeff was working late fighting some sort of massive computer virus stuff at his work, so I watched the Democratic National Convention. Obama's speech was really great! I thought he did an amazing job of calling upon a higher vision of American that transcends Red America and Blue America. I'm so impressed that I'm actually going to put an Obama sticker on the shuttlecraft (mini-van). Of course, this is less of a radical act here in Austin than it would be in Waco (home of Republicans for Voldermort).
Celina is here cleaning (happiness) so I'm now going to need to sequester myself in the back of the house and start revising while she cleans the living room.
That's the current plan of action anyway.
After spending the afternoon writing, I went to CT's yoga classes. Jeff was working late fighting some sort of massive computer virus stuff at his work, so I watched the Democratic National Convention. Obama's speech was really great! I thought he did an amazing job of calling upon a higher vision of American that transcends Red America and Blue America. I'm so impressed that I'm actually going to put an Obama sticker on the shuttlecraft (mini-van). Of course, this is less of a radical act here in Austin than it would be in Waco (home of Republicans for Voldermort).
Celina is here cleaning (happiness) so I'm now going to need to sequester myself in the back of the house and start revising while she cleans the living room.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday Morning-Getting Ready to Write
Well, life on sabbatical doesn't make for the most thrilling blog entries, but here goes. Yesterday, I talked to Christina for a while in the morning and worked pretty steadily from around 10:30 to 3:00. I did take a couple small breaks to eat lunch and move the various laundry loads from the washer to the dryer and the upstairs for folding. Around 3 I felt pretty brain-fried so I hung up a couple shelves and pictures up on the wall and then finally took a shower and changed out of my PJs and into yoga togs and did a little bit of my very late Carlos homework and then went to Devon's advanced class. We worked on stablizing the legs in a variety of standing poses and backward bends.
I decided in class that I really don't feel like going to the Mary and Eddy workshop up in Dallas, a variety of reasons, mostly a bit of workshop overload, that and labor day traffic on 1-35..... I haven't completely decided but am leaning in that direction.
Well, today more of the same. I'm revising the sample chapter and doing some secondary lit work and then I'll go to CTs classes.
I decided in class that I really don't feel like going to the Mary and Eddy workshop up in Dallas, a variety of reasons, mostly a bit of workshop overload, that and labor day traffic on 1-35..... I haven't completely decided but am leaning in that direction.
Well, today more of the same. I'm revising the sample chapter and doing some secondary lit work and then I'll go to CTs classes.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday Morning Update
Yesterday, I had a productive day writing. Writing is more enjoyable when it is all I have to do.
Anyway, I worked in the morning, inverted around lunchtime, worked more in the afternoon, then went to CTs Tuesday classes at Westgate. I felt really stiff from all the sitting and was sort of mentally tired, but about half way through the flow class, I began to feel better. Oh yes, this is why I do yoga. I was even quite shocked that standing baby cradle went okay. Standing baby cradle is probably my least favorite pose in Anusara-Land. I dislike it even more than all the various pigeons..
In fact, one great thing about Iyengar Land is that I know I won't have to do Standing Baby Cradle. Even as grueling as the Asthangha classes are, at least I know there is no standing baby cradle in the primary series.. However, in Anusara-land... it is their way... so it goes.... The hip opening advanced class was pretty gruelling, I was really glad I'd done flow before hand... but I did get a lot of deep opening, and my mind was much clearer at the end of class. Really different feeling than after backward bending, but both are cathartic and clarifying.
Anyway, I'm getting ready to get started again. I'm going to work some more on the two-page proposal, chapter by chapter summary, and I need to decide on a sample chapter to send off.
Anyway, I worked in the morning, inverted around lunchtime, worked more in the afternoon, then went to CTs Tuesday classes at Westgate. I felt really stiff from all the sitting and was sort of mentally tired, but about half way through the flow class, I began to feel better. Oh yes, this is why I do yoga. I was even quite shocked that standing baby cradle went okay. Standing baby cradle is probably my least favorite pose in Anusara-Land. I dislike it even more than all the various pigeons..
In fact, one great thing about Iyengar Land is that I know I won't have to do Standing Baby Cradle. Even as grueling as the Asthangha classes are, at least I know there is no standing baby cradle in the primary series.. However, in Anusara-land... it is their way... so it goes.... The hip opening advanced class was pretty gruelling, I was really glad I'd done flow before hand... but I did get a lot of deep opening, and my mind was much clearer at the end of class. Really different feeling than after backward bending, but both are cathartic and clarifying.
Anyway, I'm getting ready to get started again. I'm going to work some more on the two-page proposal, chapter by chapter summary, and I need to decide on a sample chapter to send off.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Getting Ready to Write
I'm in my morning ritual of checking email, making some phone calls and settling in to write for today. Today, I plan to work on the a paragraph description of each of the chapters of my book. I really am finding it helpful to remind myself of the big picture of the project.
Yesterday morning I was feeling pretty wiped out... but after a chiropractic and rolfing session and Devon's amazing restorative class and pretty close to nine hours of sleep, I'm in a really good frame of mind.
The only fly in the ointment is that I've chipped my front tooth. Bummer.
Yesterday morning I was feeling pretty wiped out... but after a chiropractic and rolfing session and Devon's amazing restorative class and pretty close to nine hours of sleep, I'm in a really good frame of mind.
The only fly in the ointment is that I've chipped my front tooth. Bummer.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday Morning
Well, I have to say it is nice just to be sitting around this morning not doing much of anything except waiting for Mandy's advanced yoga class to begin (at the very sane hour of noon) rather than being 1.5 hours into a three hour class at this point.
George's workshop was great, We did an unusual sequence in the morning that interspersed Adho Mukha Svanasana with pretty much all of the baby backbends and lateral standing poses in the morning. In the afternoon ,we started off with two lovely versions of supta badha konasana and then a lengthy foray in to supta virasana and paryankasana to make supta virasana better, lots of variations on Full arm balance and Pincha and then we did a lot of dwi pada viparita dandasana with and without chair and chakra bandhasana was the grand finale... Good hard work, good fun. More on George's teaching style on the Teaching Philosophy blog.
I was pretty tired after pretty much a week straight of 6 hours of yoga a day.
Jeff and I ordered a yummy pizza margherita from Southside Pizza in celebration of our six month anniversary and also for surviving the yoga marathon.
that's all that's new this morning in Austin
George's workshop was great, We did an unusual sequence in the morning that interspersed Adho Mukha Svanasana with pretty much all of the baby backbends and lateral standing poses in the morning. In the afternoon ,we started off with two lovely versions of supta badha konasana and then a lengthy foray in to supta virasana and paryankasana to make supta virasana better, lots of variations on Full arm balance and Pincha and then we did a lot of dwi pada viparita dandasana with and without chair and chakra bandhasana was the grand finale... Good hard work, good fun. More on George's teaching style on the Teaching Philosophy blog.
I was pretty tired after pretty much a week straight of 6 hours of yoga a day.
Jeff and I ordered a yummy pizza margherita from Southside Pizza in celebration of our six month anniversary and also for surviving the yoga marathon.
that's all that's new this morning in Austin
Friday, August 22, 2008
One Year Anniversary of Anne in Austin
Last night, I realized that I've been in Austin a little over a year. A year and a week ago I spent my first official night in Austin. It has been an eventful year in many ways. I was just writing an email to my step daughter Christa who is teaching English at a vocational school in Thailand... I was updating her about my life and somewhere in the recounting I remarked that sometimes my new life doesn't seem quite real yet. What an odd thing to say and yet it is true...
Maybe because things are so much more fun and less complicated, sometimes it is hard to believe the good fortune, so that is a practice too. Becoming firmly established in happiness.
On the more mundane what Anne has been doing in Austin level... I've been pretty immersed in Iyengar Land. Last weekend, I did the public workshop with Gabriella and then Sunday through Thursday I had the good fortune to be invited to a private retreat with her out at a ranch in the country. Jeff came along with me and he did a great job holding up to the many rigors of Iyengar land.
One great thing about living in Austin is coming back to Austin, we got back a little after lunch and went to CTs classes that afternoon. In all, the retreat and the return was a nice end to the summer of yoga.
Yes another landmark: I'm now officially on sabbatical. Yesterday was the general faculty meeting so the semester has started. In keeping with that
Today, I've spent the day writing, working on a revised book proposal for A Philosophic Muse, grading comps, and getting ready to read Lewis' dissertation chapter. I need to buy a few things at CM, then do inversions and I'm teaching the restorative class at 6 at south tonight. First class I've taught in about two weeks.
Maybe because things are so much more fun and less complicated, sometimes it is hard to believe the good fortune, so that is a practice too. Becoming firmly established in happiness.
On the more mundane what Anne has been doing in Austin level... I've been pretty immersed in Iyengar Land. Last weekend, I did the public workshop with Gabriella and then Sunday through Thursday I had the good fortune to be invited to a private retreat with her out at a ranch in the country. Jeff came along with me and he did a great job holding up to the many rigors of Iyengar land.
One great thing about living in Austin is coming back to Austin, we got back a little after lunch and went to CTs classes that afternoon. In all, the retreat and the return was a nice end to the summer of yoga.
Yes another landmark: I'm now officially on sabbatical. Yesterday was the general faculty meeting so the semester has started. In keeping with that
Today, I've spent the day writing, working on a revised book proposal for A Philosophic Muse, grading comps, and getting ready to read Lewis' dissertation chapter. I need to buy a few things at CM, then do inversions and I'm teaching the restorative class at 6 at south tonight. First class I've taught in about two weeks.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Mid Week Update
Monday and Tuesday was pretty yoga and writing, more yoga than writing, but I've been feeling more and more ready to write. It is nice to feel a bit more creative in that domain.
Yesterday, I drove upto Waco to give the graduate students their comprehensive exams. It was my last official act as graduate director. I've enjoyed the job, particularly getting to work with the graduate students more closely, but like all transitions there's a bit of sadness with ending something. I'll be on sabbatical in the Fall and then I start back in Jan 2009 as the Director of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core.
I'm getting ready to work a bit more on some character development for Plato's Agent and I'll also unload the yoga props I brought from Waco and work a bit on A Philosophic Muse before going to CT's classes.
Yesterday, I drove upto Waco to give the graduate students their comprehensive exams. It was my last official act as graduate director. I've enjoyed the job, particularly getting to work with the graduate students more closely, but like all transitions there's a bit of sadness with ending something. I'll be on sabbatical in the Fall and then I start back in Jan 2009 as the Director of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core.
I'm getting ready to work a bit more on some character development for Plato's Agent and I'll also unload the yoga props I brought from Waco and work a bit on A Philosophic Muse before going to CT's classes.
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Day in Yoga Land
Today was pretty much Friday in Yoga Land. Jeff and I went to Jeremiah's yoga class this morning. I came home and did some stuff for the Baylor comprehensive exams and looked over A Philosophic Muse (actually, Craig's past couple talks have been quite helpful about clarifying the limitations of the self-mastery model) then subbed for Jenny D (Hatha Flow). Two strange things happened at the Hatha Flow Class. One a student was wearing an "I love Carrboro" t-shirt. Carroboro is right next to, well really a part of Chapel Hill. When I lived in Chapel Hill, it was um, well, sort of not particularly cool for a variety of reasons. But now it is apparently "the place to be." Then there was a woman Shellie who looked tres familiar to me... and after class she said. I think we went to college together. Sure enough.. Trinity I lived in Thomas and she lived in Lightner Dorm (right next door, Freshman Year). After that double blast from the past, I Talked with CT on the phone and went to practice with Devon. Then I subbed another Hatha Flow class at 4:30. Some where in there I talked with James about Plato's Agent and am remotivated to get to work on that project as well. James asked me if summer was about over and well except for the heat, there's a sense in which I feel that way. Like I'm getting ready to work....
On a different note, in honor of momzy pooh's birth I thought I'd re post Moments with Momiji (this is actually from my india blog (theyogaplacewaco.blogspot.com) It is in the style of e.e. cummings, because the caps lock did not work that particular day at the internet cafe....
christina wrote a blog post a few days back about lessons she learned from dad. mom is in the midst of moving grandmartha to a new facility and so i thought i'd honor her love and dedication today by recording a few lessons i learned from mom over the years.
1. if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. (sometimes a little more forcefully put, as in if you can't say something nice, keep your mouth shut.)
2. it is better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it. (aka be prepared)
3. if you don't like what's for dinner, then cook something else yourself.
4. put a sweater on (because i'm cold)
5. stand up straight. don't slouch. (very yogic)
6. afterschool snacks are well worth coming home for.
7. gardening gives great pleasure.
8. all people have something interesting to say.
9. if you are lost, ask for directions.
10. do what needs to be done without being asked to do it.
love, anzy
On a different note, in honor of momzy pooh's birth I thought I'd re post Moments with Momiji (this is actually from my india blog (theyogaplacewaco.blogspot.com) It is in the style of e.e. cummings, because the caps lock did not work that particular day at the internet cafe....
christina wrote a blog post a few days back about lessons she learned from dad. mom is in the midst of moving grandmartha to a new facility and so i thought i'd honor her love and dedication today by recording a few lessons i learned from mom over the years.
1. if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. (sometimes a little more forcefully put, as in if you can't say something nice, keep your mouth shut.)
2. it is better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it. (aka be prepared)
3. if you don't like what's for dinner, then cook something else yourself.
4. put a sweater on (because i'm cold)
5. stand up straight. don't slouch. (very yogic)
6. afterschool snacks are well worth coming home for.
7. gardening gives great pleasure.
8. all people have something interesting to say.
9. if you are lost, ask for directions.
10. do what needs to be done without being asked to do it.
love, anzy
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Off to Practice
It's a lovely morning here at the Westrock Internet Cafe. Fluffy eggs Sumatra Coffee.... Even a cool breeze on the porch.
I worked a bit on reorganizing the final chapter of my book. Lots of pieces searching to find a place in the whole....
I'm off to practice with Heide and Christina and then back to read and write a bit more.
Exciting news: My Saturday Morning Yoga class will move South in the Fall. Hatha 9:00 AM YY South Yippee!!!!
I worked a bit on reorganizing the final chapter of my book. Lots of pieces searching to find a place in the whole....
I'm off to practice with Heide and Christina and then back to read and write a bit more.
Exciting news: My Saturday Morning Yoga class will move South in the Fall. Hatha 9:00 AM YY South Yippee!!!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Back in Austin
Hello Avid readers of Anne in Austin Blog,
Obviously, I haven't written in a while. I've been up at Feathered Pipe Ranch with Christina for the past week. It seems sort of silly to write my own blog when I'm on vacation with her and she is blogging as we are pretty much doing the same thing. The trip to FP ranch was fabulous. When we left, I wasn't really in a frame of mind where I was ready to leave. We'd just gone on a fabulous vacation to Tofino and I was really having fun sinking into life in Austin. It sort of felt like I was getting sent away to summer camp... But after being sort of homesick (note summer camp) for about a day and a half, I really settled into being there. I've had the opportunity to study with Patricia Walden once before at a four day workshop in Dallas and I knew she'd be fabulous. I'd never studied with John Schumacher and how good he was was really a delightful surprise. They are both excellent at taking you to deeper levels of awareness and motivating a desire to work hard. They are both amazing pranayama teachers as well as asana teachers. We had pranayama class every afternoon and I have a much firmer understanding of the various digital pranayamas due to their careful explanations.
Socially camp was fun also. I enjoyed hanging out with CT's friend Rachel and Timothy McCall the other member of the hiking team. Randy from Dallas was there and Heide Grace (who happens to live in Austin) I go to camp to make a new friend at home. It was also fascinating watching several of Patricia and John's long term students and seeing their dedication to practice.
I read a couple books while I was up there. The Sari Shop and Palace of Illusions. Mostly, a lot of yoga and a lot of just sitting around looking at the natural beauty of the world and talking to people who share the love of yoga.
We got back into Austin late Saturday, well really early Sunday morning. Since then it has really been more of the same. Lots of yoga and lots of hanging out. And a return to the computer and my writing regime. I'm gathering together disparate notes and drafts of the Republic chapter sections 3 and 4. It is starting to come together!
Highlights from Sunday through Tuesday... Mandy's class and that first eka pada rajakapotasana (welcome back to anusara land)... Matt's Asthanga class, lots of sweat. Fabulous massage from Rebecca. Christina's classes. I subbed a fun hatha star class Monday afternoon. Great Pesto dinner. Yummy pizza at Central Market...
On the docket for today, Rolfing, writing, maybe a mani pedi and Devon's class at 5:30.
Obviously, I haven't written in a while. I've been up at Feathered Pipe Ranch with Christina for the past week. It seems sort of silly to write my own blog when I'm on vacation with her and she is blogging as we are pretty much doing the same thing. The trip to FP ranch was fabulous. When we left, I wasn't really in a frame of mind where I was ready to leave. We'd just gone on a fabulous vacation to Tofino and I was really having fun sinking into life in Austin. It sort of felt like I was getting sent away to summer camp... But after being sort of homesick (note summer camp) for about a day and a half, I really settled into being there. I've had the opportunity to study with Patricia Walden once before at a four day workshop in Dallas and I knew she'd be fabulous. I'd never studied with John Schumacher and how good he was was really a delightful surprise. They are both excellent at taking you to deeper levels of awareness and motivating a desire to work hard. They are both amazing pranayama teachers as well as asana teachers. We had pranayama class every afternoon and I have a much firmer understanding of the various digital pranayamas due to their careful explanations.
Socially camp was fun also. I enjoyed hanging out with CT's friend Rachel and Timothy McCall the other member of the hiking team. Randy from Dallas was there and Heide Grace (who happens to live in Austin) I go to camp to make a new friend at home. It was also fascinating watching several of Patricia and John's long term students and seeing their dedication to practice.
I read a couple books while I was up there. The Sari Shop and Palace of Illusions. Mostly, a lot of yoga and a lot of just sitting around looking at the natural beauty of the world and talking to people who share the love of yoga.
We got back into Austin late Saturday, well really early Sunday morning. Since then it has really been more of the same. Lots of yoga and lots of hanging out. And a return to the computer and my writing regime. I'm gathering together disparate notes and drafts of the Republic chapter sections 3 and 4. It is starting to come together!
Highlights from Sunday through Tuesday... Mandy's class and that first eka pada rajakapotasana (welcome back to anusara land)... Matt's Asthanga class, lots of sweat. Fabulous massage from Rebecca. Christina's classes. I subbed a fun hatha star class Monday afternoon. Great Pesto dinner. Yummy pizza at Central Market...
On the docket for today, Rolfing, writing, maybe a mani pedi and Devon's class at 5:30.
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