om...m...g...

i have practiced yoga intermittently for about a decade, but have been consistent for the past year or so.  i love it...the feeling of stretching my achy and uncooperative muscles and seeing those little improvements in my poses over the passing months, but especially, the quietness of my mind.  it is very energizing on many levels.  i have practiced yoga at a gym, through chicago parks and rec, at a dance studio, and a variety of other places, including my own living room.  a couple of these yoga classes left such an impression on me.  this summer i had the privilege to join in a few yoga classes while i was in hawaii, however, one class i attended forever forged my view on the power of yoga and the ujjayi breath. this particular class was held on a vacant beach outside of kona in the early morning, just after sunrise.  the sky was blue with wispy clouds, the plumeria trees growing in the fertile ground where the sandy beach meets the ancient lava flow perfumed the air with their sweet aroma...and of course, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore was like a metronome for my breathing.  it could not have been anymore perfect, but wait...it was.  toward the end of this class, after being in deep, long, stretchy poses with my gaze at the shells in the sand, i looked out onto the vast, blue ocean and there they were...a playful group of spinner dolphins jumping and splashing just yards from the shore's edge.  it was ethereal.  i believe i had an out of body (or mind) experience that morning.  something i thought could never be replicated, until now.  

a few weeks ago a couple friends and i (we are all a yogini in our minds) went to flourish yoga + wellbeing studio in fishers to try a style of yoga that was new to us...hot vinyasa.  so at the wee hour of 8 o'clock this saturday morning, we went to the studio.  i, frankly, was intimidated by the place and the other students in the room.  the studio was beautiful, the room was hot...105 degrees plus humidity according to amy.  i immediately thought there was no way i could make it through this 90 minute class.  at the beginning of most classes, i start out with clearing my mind and setting my intentions for that next hour or so.  this was going to be very challenging as i really couldn't focus on anything but the stifling hot air that was filling my lungs with every breath.  however, soon i stopped thinking about the heat and heard my breathing and felt the sweat dripping down my body.  the next thing i knew, it was time for final poses.  i lost myself somewhere in that time..maybe it was dehydration.  regardless, it was exhilarating.  i was full of energy and was chattering on like a first grader with add who missed a much needed dose of ritalin.  this feeling was short lived though, after a quick shower and a liter of water, i crashed.  i crashed hard and slept for 2 hours.  it was a great experience and to know it is just down the street from me is a plus. i think i may be hooked.

so in honor of all my fellow yogis and yoginis, i created this necklace to wear as a reminder throughout our crazy, busy days that we are so close to a momentary escape...just breathe.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81601289/om-necklace-made-in-sterling-silver-and

nameste.
kathy