From Studio to Home

Well, another Xmas come and gone. It was a pleasant day with family and friends and lots of food and presents. AD woke me up at 6am for pressies. He was so excited and was dying to open his. It was our first Xmas together. Seeing his face as he opened his presents was priceless. From him I got a brand new 7mm thick black yoga mat. I used it for the first time today. It's unreal! Like flying a magic carpet! Haha! Now all it needs is a nice bag to carry it in.

We then headed to my folks place to do the traditional opening of presents and Panettone for breakfast. From the folks I got some money for my new drum, a fantastic canvas bag for yoga (as I live out of it practically - AD's place, yoga, work, etc.), candles, my favourite nag champa incense, t-shirts, chocolates, etc. Then we all went to my sister's house for the traditional Xmas feast lunch. Roast turkey, pork with crackling, glazed ham, roast veggies, pudding with brandy cream and custard. I don't eat meat usually, but allowed myself a very small serving of each. After lunch we gave more presents - TinTin series on dvd, carlos castaneda books. After lunch, AD and I then went to my friend Susi's place where we drummed and played around and I made a fresh pot of chai. Susi gave me a Tibetan singing bowl for Xmas. It was the exact one I pointed out to her months before at Chai Hill. I was totally stoked!! A Tibetan lady sells them there. It's such an awesome instrument. I never realised how deeply I am drawn to it. I now use it before and after my home practice and adds a nice little charm to the opening and closing prayers.

Since the studio closed for the year last week I've only done about 4 home practices, one of which was just 10 A's and 10 B's. Not the best effort. I miss the studio. I enjoy home practices but am finding it hard. Although this morning's was a great practice, I still don't have all the discipline I need to do a regular daily practice at home. I'm too dependant on the studio at the moment. I love it there. I love the routine of driving in there and having chai afterwards, and not to mention how more focused I am there. I've had to start making fresh chai at home to have after practice to keep myself going. It makes such a difference. I only have to get through until Tuesday...phew! But I must say, having chai after practice, doing the practice in the morning sun, and using my new mat at home is starting to make home practice appeal a little more each day. But I still don't want to do it every day.

Practice itself has been pretty good. Some days I really lack energy and my balancing asanas have been a bit off but they're the only hurdles at the moment. I'm also working on opening my left hip a lot more by doing some extra asanas too. Seems to be working slowly, yayness! Nothing else to mention about the practice itself for now.

Oh, and I finally bought a thick mysore cotton rug from Mr Vinay. He offered the best price including shipping and the total was less than half the value of one rug from barefootyoga.com without shipping. It should arrive next week.

I'm at work this week despite most people in the country being on holidays/festive mode. I prefer taking holidays throughout the year when everyone is working. Feels better, although I take the odd day to go to the beach, which is what I'm doing tomorrow. I like taking a week off every few months rather than all at once over summer. That way I enjoy the year more and feel less stressed. Can't wait for the beach tomorrow!

Happy new year everyone! May the new year bring much joy and new adventures for you all!