Day 2 January 26, 2012

The Ultimate Yogi is fast medicine.

I had to resist jumping up from my practice to hit the keyboard to share all of my thoughts with you.

Yes, monkey mind and inner chatter were crazy active today – but, in a good way.

This morning, the effects of my first day were deliciously evident.  I pleaded with my husband to let me sleep awhile longer as my aching muscles felt so tremendously delish wrapped by my warm sheets.  He indulged me, but I was so anxious to hit the mat again that I just lay there awake - imaging today’s Cardio class.

I must admit, I had my doubts as to whether this DVD would actually get my heart rate up or make me sweat.  Lesson learned – do not second guess Travis.  He makes good on his promise. 

The Cardio DVD delivers a fast paced standing flow workout that consists of repeating several sets of varying “crescent” poses with lots of vinyasas in between.  Beginners should not let ego get in the way here – rest when needed.  More experienced yogis will enjoy the constant movement linked with breath and Travis’ guidance to find the subtleties within the speedy flow. 

I thought the sequence was coming to a close with the side angle series, but this was when I really started to burn and sweat.  Look forward to this glute sculpting set of alternating between side angle and reverse warrior.  Yowza!

You are rewarded with drowsy pigeon pose on both sides followed by plow and shoulder stand.

And then you twist.  And here is where the magic of yoga revealed itself to me.  As I took the second side, tears began to flow.  I was thinking about food – how my palette had begun to change a couple of weeks ago – way before I had even become conscious of The Ultimate Yogi Program.  And then, I started to think of my brother.

My brother Jesse loved food.  He loved to indulge in decadent meals at both fancy restaurants and divey diners.  Toward the end of his life, living in Santa Monica – he discovered vegan and vegetarian cuisine.  He would call me up to meet him at Vegan Thai food or the Farmer’s Market for Vegan Soul Food.  He had bought a hybrid car, started working out, was reading about Buddhism and was experimenting with becoming a more conscious human being in general. 

But, at his heart, he was a burger guy.  He loved a cheeseburger and fries.  After Jesse passed away, as a way of connecting with him –  this former vegan embraced a much more carnivorous way of life.  Finding a burger place became my way of connecting with him.   Every cheeseburger felt like I was sharing it with him.  But, he is gone.

And as his soul has had time to ascend, I feel his presence drifting further from me.  I know he will always be with me in my heart, but in order for his soul to progress – I also have to let him go.  And as time passes and I evolve and change, I feel myself going back to my true self.

My cravings have been for grains, fruits and veggies.  And thank goodness.  I was putting my health at risk with bad dietary habits that were an emotional reflex.

And so then I finished Day Two with a ten minute meditation.  I used the Gratitude Meditation.  Although my inner diaglog was quite loud, I was able to really hear and connect with Travis’ words. 

It’s funny – I had the Meditation DVD on in the background for segment timing yesterday while doing housework.  I didn’t LISTEN to it though.  However, I had this undeniable urge to clean out my closet last night.

After doing the meditation this morning I understand why.  Travis mentions clutter and cleaning it out.  He also talks about being grateful for your clothing and how there are so many out there who have so little. 

I will be making a trip to GoodWill this weekend.

This is super powerful stuff people.

Be prepared for change.

*Pic is of my smoothie today:

Makes 2 servings (Use organic if possible)

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 cup water

2 dates

1 bag Trader Joes Organic baby spinach

1 small apple

1 banana

3 tbsp Nutiva Hemp Protein (The original one with tons of fiber)

2 tbsp organic golden flax seed

Place in Vitamix and Blend