Emmy is Bikrams most senior teacher. She is about 82 years old and her classes kick my ass. My first class Monday morning after our 1.5 day weekend was the hardest class I've had so far. Emmy spends a lot of time entering each posture correctly. So you may have to wait a few minutes with perfect posture before you enter Triangle pose. Arms up, head up, chest back, sit down more, on and on, before you can bend your knee, then back more, head up, arms up, oh my god, then we can turn into the posture, then hold it forever. PAIN!
[Born in Latvia, Emmy Cleaves came to America as a WWII refugee. She was separated from her own family at the concentration camp Danzig, where “the food was 75% sawdust, mixed with 25% flour. My stomach stopped functioning, it was all jammed with sawdust.” She was sponsored by a family in Michigan, which enabled her to come to the USA]
I had tunnel vision and was starting to feel nausea in the standing series of yesterdays class. I had to work really really hard to get out of my head and dig deep from the inside of my body to start seeing my surroundings, getting out of what my body was screaming. I wanted to lie down, I wanted to puke, I wanted to scream at Emmy to get on with it. I finally calmed myself down with focusing on breathing and focusing on my surroundings instead of within. I still did not sit down! My god I wanted to! But I'm happy to say, pain is temporary and with the right mindset you can do anything. Bikrams class last night was great (I TOUCHED MY HEAD TO THE FLOOR IN SEPERATE LEG STRETCHING- FIRST TIME!), I felt good, as well as this mornings with Emmy. She teaches a lot in between postures and its hard for me to lie still and be patient. I'm working on it. I want to move and keep going, focusing on something other than the pain in my body. Other than that, my body feels great (after I eat), things are good.
We started anatomy yesterday with Dr. T. It's going to be hard. I was an Environmental Science major. I took biology, but mostly learned of cells and plants, etc. not humans. So learning about the spine is new and fascinating. Lots to memorize. And our anatomy books arrive on friday, so we are learning without books. Makes for interesting studies.
I have a gecko friend living in my cupboard. It scared me the first time I saw the little guy squiggle away. I'm sure I scared him. Geckos are a good sign, sign of wisdom here in mexico, thats what the hotel man said when he tried to find him for us with no luck. So our little friend is here to stay.
I have so much to write about Bikram. I'll try to do that tomorrow - Tonight is Bollywood movie night, who knows what time we will be done!
Cheers:)
3 comments:
you were already so focused and full of energy, I'm a little scared to see what you'll be like after a couple months of this! Watch out players!
Hey, Jodi! Your picture looks fanstastic. Proud of YOU, Ann D.
you look hot jodi-- glad to hear it's going well out there!
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