Last night I took a special basic beginner yoga workshop at a local yoga studio. I was the oldest person in the class. I cannot move today. I’m already on my second dose of ibuprofen. They have yoga classes for kids and pregnant women, why not for people who have AARP cards? You know, older, stiffer, heavier people, not those 20 year olds with no body fat. Really, what do they need yoga for?
Not long ago I also took another basic yoga class at my gym. That one was a little easier, but so far I’m not feeling the so called benefits. However, I am stubborn and will continue until I can walk down a flight of stairs on my hands with my feet behind my head. Or die trying. (If anyone wants to offer odds, I’d suggest go with the “die trying” as the safer bet.)
I told my friend about the class and she said she liked the yoga part but didn’t like all the woo-woo stuff that goes with it. Bring your chi up through your center and breathe.” My friend says “leave my chi alone. Nothing to chi here!”
I laughed. But I like the woo-woo stuff. I don’t necessarily believe it, but I want to (just like I want to like yoga). For the woo-woo stuff I watch the TV show LonG Island Medium (The “G” is hard if you live on LonGIsland!) Besides the over-styled, over hair sprayed hair and those fake nails, what fascinates me here is a woman who says she’s a medium (a person who can communicate with the “other side” or dead people.) She does a reading and when she tells someone something like “Spirit is telling me you just ironed your dead husband’s shirt” and the person says yes, Theresa, the Long Island Medium will SCREAM “SHUT UP!” and be more surprised than her client. Why is she surprised? She does this for a living. I’m confused.
Have you ever been to a medium? I’ve only been to larges. (That was a super-bad joke, sorry.)
The Husband is still talking about moving out west. In preparation, I’m still doing paintings of mountains and trees. Although the top row looks a little like a skyline to me. You can take the girl out of the city….
This is a work in progress. I did some washes and will go back and define some of the trees and see if I can get some mist going in the trees as well. Stay tuned.
I finished the sea lion on the rocks painting from the previous post which you can see here.
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June 10, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Bonnie Luria
And what would you call a short fortune tellers hideout? A small medium lodge…. Yoga is deceptively strenuous. I couldn’t believe it myself that what appears to be so passive, actually puts strains on muscles you didn’t know you had. Just keep the woo-woos limber. Less Advil involved. I once was so relaxed at the end of a yoga class that I was awakened by the sound of my own snoring… very embarrassing.
June 10, 2013 at 12:04 pm
nicsearth
Carol I swear you should write novels for a living – you crack me up! I loved how your friend refers to the woo woo stuff. I know exactly what she means. I’ve tried yoga in the privacy of my own living room with a dvd but I just can’t get to grips with the whole breathing thing. I mean I know how to breath – it’s kind of automatic – but when I have to consciously breath in at this position and out at that one I just can’t make it work! I’m about to take a Reiki course (more on that on my blog later) and whilst I’m fascinated by all that universal higher power (as opposed to man made god person), I’m worried I’m a little too cynical to be a proper Reiki person – I want to be a hippie but apart from adopting the dress code, I fear I don’t have that happy rose tinted namaste persona. Perhaps after I get attuned at the weekend I’ll be a different more laid back person. I laughed out loud at the idea of you walking downstairs on your hands – if your yoga course helps you do that then I’m flying over to sign up!) I really like this watercolour – it’s very peaceful
June 10, 2013 at 12:10 pm
artscottnet
I tried it a couple years ago, a challenge from a friend… I went in all confident, that changed in a hurry; I couldn’t move for a week – I don’t think men are meant to be that flexible. Can’t wait to see your continued progress on this piece. Love the seal, beautiful finish
June 10, 2013 at 12:12 pm
artscottnet
*sea lion
June 10, 2013 at 12:10 pm
nicsearth
Right, I thought I just left a big long comment but it’s disappeared. this keeps happening – damn WordPress!! Anyway, I’ll say it again. You should write novels for a living you crack me up with your stories. I loved the idea of you walking downstairs on your hands and if your yoga class enables you to do that then I’m flying over to sign up! I totally understand what your friend means by the woo woo stuff. I am fascinated by ‘out there’ stuff and do believe in things like Reiki (which I’m about to do my first degree in next weekend!) but fear I’m a little too cynical to do it properly. I feel like I should be a hippie but although I could easily adopt the dress code and grow my hair long (which I’m in the process of anyway) I think I don’t have the easy going happy laid back namaste vibe necessary to properly live that life. Things annoy me too easily. Perhaps after I get attuned to Reiki at the weekend I’ll be a totally different more relaxed and in tune with the universe person?! Anyway, I like your watercolour – you’re really good with the whole distance thing with the lighter washes in the distance. I can’t imagine you living in the wild west or anywhere except New York but I’m sure if you do ever move your blog of you settling in to a new way of life would make great reading!
June 10, 2013 at 12:11 pm
nicsearth
oops, see – I’m too impatient to be a proper hippie. My first comment was there after all!! Soz!
June 10, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Jim
Remember when Ethel got her fortune told by Lucy, who was called Medium Raya? Ethel said “well done, Medium Raya!” HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Looking forward to the work in progress… and I hope you mean west FLORIDA!
June 10, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Valerie
Look for “gentle yoga” or “svaroopa’ yoga classes if you’re serious about wanting something less strenuous and designed for older people or people with mobility issues. It involves a lot of blankets and bolsters for support and it is a lovely way to spend an hour. But I find all yoga (except hot yoga and power yoga) a lovely way to spend an hour or so. Just as I find your blog a lovely way to spend a few minutes in the middle of the day 🙂
Keep on painting, writing and sharing!
June 10, 2013 at 3:57 pm
northpenninegallery
Can you hear me laughing?
June 10, 2013 at 5:37 pm
carrington brown
LOVE both paintings!!! Keep at the yoga.I have been teaching at the canyon ranch Spa here and i love the ‘woo woo ‘stuff. Getting in touch with your route chakra if you move out west(and i will come to visit)
June 10, 2013 at 9:08 pm
joantav
Isn’t yoga supposed to help relax you? How can you be relaxed when you’re aching? Your post made me laugh!
Nice start to this painting. I can’t believe you may move west! There are no subways there (and I don’t mean the sandwiches). Won’t he miss the heat and humidity of the summer in NYC?
Awesome finish to the sea lion painting. He looks so wet and shiny! Wow!!
I met up with the Urban Sketchers on Saturday. I haven’t been in the city this much since I was in my 20s. lol Sketching the Highline was fun. As soon as I’m done posting my Ireland paintings I’ll post what I did.
June 11, 2013 at 8:32 pm
sam
Your puppy-lion painting is one of your best. Very sweet!
June 12, 2013 at 4:43 pm
lesliepaints
My sister teaches yoga. I drew illustrations for her book. I was able to do the beginning positions she taught me and the breathing, but nothing beyond. I thought yoga was supposed to help the aches and pains…… I laughed at the medium/large joke. Yes… I’ve been to a medium. Pretty interesting but really didn’t find it any more helpful with living life or anything. When they are correct, they are just telling me stuff I already know. Love the finished sea lion!!!!!! I also like what you have started up above. Looks misty/dreamy to me.
June 12, 2013 at 6:00 pm
RHCarpenter
Oh, dear! Sorry to laugh at your pain but you made it sound so funny! ha ha I like the misty look of this painting, too – I’ve never been able to do misty foggy scenes (but then, I don’t think I’ve tried! ha ha)
June 12, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Beth Parker
Both paintings are amazing, Carol! I haven’t tried yoga, but enjoyed reading your post and those comments that followed. Fun post!!!
June 20, 2013 at 3:34 pm
napabelle
Beautiful Carol! Very moody!