Relax, Smile, and have Fun

I have been on a pretty good health kick for a few months now. I say pretty good as I still have a few vices some of which I need to reduce further and others that I need to eliminate all together. Nevertheless I had been lifting weights at the gym which transitioned into a six month Yoga intensive of which I am currently in the middle of month 2.

One of the highlights of this Yoga intensive is the Tuesday Ashtanga class with Michelle Hegmon. This class is close to 2 hours long and requires a fair level of knowledge and technique as the poses can be challenging. Also if you don’t understand some of the intricacies of how to hold them the benefit is greatly reduced. Michelle is also a really neat woman. She is all of five feet tall and walks with the air of a 7 year old ready to play in the park. Her teaching style is very playful and keeps you at ease even when you barely have your breath and are somewhat concerned if you will be able to walk right after class.

Last nights class was only my third one with her and after yesterdays adventure in the working world I was ready to unwind. To start the class off she tells a story about Boulder, CO:

“Boulder is one of the centers of Buddist thought in the US,” she starts, “but Boulder also likes to take itself very seriously.”

I did all I could do to keep from laughing outloud as my college years came rushing back through my thoughts.

She continues telling the story of how a preeminent Buddist monk made a trip from China with a number of apprentices. “During one of the monks speeches,” she recalled “all of these very enthusiastic Boulderites crowded around the monk taking notes with painstaking effort as his English was very crude. As this is happening I turn to the back of the room where all of the apprentices are standing and to my surprise find them giggling and laughing, leaning against the wall, and blowing bubbles with the newly discovered gift of chewing gum. That moment sticks with me as a reminder that taking life too seriously can get in the way of living it; so relax, smile, and have fun.”

So the question is how can you relax, smile, and have fun today?

Posted: February 13th, 2008 under Home.
Tags: Home, yoga