I’ve recently returned home from a summer filled with sand, sun, salt, wind, clouds, yoga, family, friends, ferries, bikes, islands and lots of things that we don’t normally do in the “school year”. My four-year-old daughter looked at me like I was crazy yesterday when I told her she had to wear shoes to the store. She couldn’t remember a time when she had to wear shoes, because we’ve been existing for two months with out. Then I caught myself in a bookstore yesterday buying a book and a chocolate bar. My stomach was a little grumbly and my son and I shared the chocolate–for lunch. You see, in the summer we do things a little differently, we are a little more free. I found myself feeding my kids ice cream, before dinner, which my Auntie says you should always do because life is uncertain and short!
This lifestyle manifested itself in my yoga practice (or was it the other way around?) as I practiced with Erich Schiffmann for the 5 weeks I was in Southern California. What an inspiration to be in a class with a presence like his. After a dharma talk, short meditation, and a short series usually focusing on one part of the body, he plays a set list of three songs and it’s free flow time. Every yogi on their own mat doing their own thing. Then a long savasana, and ending meditation. I literally floated out each time after class.
So as we all begin to return to our fall schedules, I hope you keep a little bit of the freedom of summer, the energy created by the longer days and sunshine, and find a way to spend that as you move into fall. I look forward to seeing you in class. Please come and tell me if you ate chocolate for lunch! Blessings, Ali