Yoga Implosion

After four days in Austin looking at mens' pink leotards, auras and convoluted yoga postures, I can think of one solid thing to extract---yoga contradicts itself. I was told to lock my knees before lunch and then after lunch instructed to never lock my knees. One instructor would smirk at another popular instructor's teaching style while showing us the "right way" to move into a posture. First, yoga asana, then pranayama, then meditation. No! Yoga asana is the meditation. No, wait! Yoga asana prepares the mind for meditation and pranayama during asana. Ahhhh!

My favorite part of the event was Mark Whitwell's workshops. His look was "European rock star" meets "wise, weathered sailor" but with intense, compassionate eyes. Stop struggling, he says. There is no place you need to go, there is nothing you need to attain, there is nothing to be realized because you are already a perfect expression of an unseen source. He was very direct about this. Yoga is the way to interact with this nurturing reality. Thank you, Mark. In the face of so much "spiritual materialism" your teachings resonated well.

Taste Troncones

For those of you feeling super jealous of my recent journey to Mexico, wipe the drool off your chin and check out these inexpensive places to stay in the lovely town of Troncones:

Present Moment Retreat (www.presentmomentretreat.com)
This is where I stayed and taught yoga for a month. Unbelievably beautiful and serene. Packages include eco-adventures, massages and food at the restaurant.

Casa Majahua (www.casamahajua.com)
I had the privilege to meet the owners and hang out at their place a few times. This is the tree house you've always wanted and it's right on the beach.

Sol y Luna Hostel (www.solylunahostel.com)
The chef at Present Moment Retreat just opened this hostel. For the price of $20 a night you get gorgeous rooms and a small breakfast in the morning. The best deal for your budget. And you can always walk over to Present Moment Retreat and take the yoga classes...

Back to Bike, Back to Reality

My life post-Mexico has been a fart in a whirlwind. I haven't stopped since my plane hit the tarmac. For example, the very next day my good friend, Katie, and I drove to San Antonio for the MS150. It's a 150 mile bike ride to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society for those not in the know and I was under the impression that we were doing one of the easier rides in Texas. Hahaha, says fate. Not so! First of all, it's actually 160 miles, but who's really counting. And then secondly, coming from a higher elevation and riding to sea level, we were naturally expecting to go downhill a few times. There was no "down hill." How is it that we traveled from the hill country to the beach on a constant incline? Also, at each rest stop, the lovely volunteers would repeatedly offer, oh it's all downhill from here and the ride is much easier from this point on. Of course, you want to believe them. After many uphill climbs, teeth clacking from the bumpy road surface, I asked Katie to kindly remind me about our pleasant experience before we sign up for another race. A few days ago, in a moment of excitement (oh! the registration is filling up soooo fast!), we signed up for the Houston to Austin MS 150. We will be older, wiser and more prepared for this one, I'm sure.