a new yorker’s year in hawaii
I popped my kneecap out in yoga class yesterday. BLLAAAAST. I went back today with Sarah and we took a crushing ashtanga class. I wore a brace and it turned out fine. I don’t want to stop or take a break. If I have the desire to go to class then I’m going to go and just work through it. But I HATE that all too familiar sound and feeling of my knee popping and then collapsing. It’s so disconcerting–even days after it happens.
This is my last post before Obama becomes President. After the election my rabid enthusiasm dwindled but in the last few hours I’ve begun to feel emotional about tomorrow. It’s an exciting time: New Year, MLK day, the Inauguration, K’s birthday, and then Monday is the start of Lunar New Year–like a categorical clean slate.
Sarah and I have gone to yoga at Open Space everyday since Saturday. I’m amazed at how easily I’ve been able to relax back into it. The great thing about Open Space is that the teachers are very present, skilled, and you feel that they really want to help you. It seems like a good mix of skill levels among the students. The fact that I can’t say for sure is really a testament to how well they run their classes. I’m not focused on other people. I’m comfortable enough to concentrate on my own practice and not feel the self-consciousness or competitiveness you find in lesser schools. I miss class with Dharma but this place is very special and I’ll absorb many benefits while I’m here.
I didn’t really understand why the school says it’s in the Historic Arts District of Chinatown but the picture above is Nu’uanu Gallery at Marks Garage one of the storefronts I passed on the way to class. It was small but had really interesting contemporary work. Speaking of which I wish I was in NY to visit this: Can. Did.
When Sarah was driving me home the other day she kept asking me where to turn and I just kept yapping away forgetting to tell her how to get to my condo. I told her it’s because I have this idea that she knows everything about Hawaii. It seemed natural that she would know how to get me home even though she’d never been there. Things that Sarah has shared with me that I find interesting:
and lucky Mochi for New Year to put on your dashboard.
Finally here’s a video I really liked today. Happy Obama Day everyone. I pledge to be more gentle and find ways to help others in whatever way and whenever I can.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Sarah and I took a yoga basics class at Open Space Yoga today. It was GREAT. The class was with a teacher named Murti who Brenda recommended. He had really good energy and I learned a few new things. He lead the class with a mixture of humor, spirituality, and knowledge. It was a pleasure. I felt relaxed and energized after class. We signed up for the new student discount of unlimited classes for two weeks for $30. We’re going to try to go everyday this week.
In the afternoon K and I went to Kaimuki to a little shop called Lily Lotus that specializes in yoga clothing and accessories. I got a great mat bag and some new stuff to wear.
The day after my birthday was much better than my birthday. Mainly because K was home and off from work. In the morning Sarah and I went to yoga class at Koa. I haven’t been to yoga in yeeearrrrrrs. I once was very consistent which brought me alot of joy. My former teacher in Manhattan put just as much emphasis on the meditation as the physical practice. The last class I took with him, he discussed how important it was to actively meditate on your presence in the world and not take being alive for granted.
To back track a little, my teacher Dharma was very amazing– in his 60s/70s his body looked like a 30 year old. He was the personification of profundity. The first time I took his class he told me to go into my handstand ‘with anger’ and for the first time in my life I flipped up into a handstand with no problem. His energy was just amazing–made you feel like you could do anything.
This is Sri Dharma Mittra:
Back to the day I took my last class with him: he was trying to illustrate his point about meditating on your presence and he said that some people die suddenly and if they haven’t been mindful of their existence they might not know they died–that they continue to walk the earth living their life and not knowing they’re dead. I took him very literally and after class I went up to him and asked earnestly ‘Dharma how do I know I’m not dead?’ He looked at me for a second then answered ‘you have to meditate on it’. As I’ve said I’m afflicted with intense fear of death so after that I never went back. After taking class with him longer than any other teacher I just never went back.
At Koa, there’s not as much focus on the spiritual side. I mean it exists, it’s just not like Dharma. The teacher Kate was very kind, firm, and intuitive about our capabilities. The school itself is intimate and comforting. I am definitely in bad shape. No doubt. I’ll go back but I also want to try other schools like Purple or an Iyengar school in Manoa.
Sarah and I had lunch at Aloha Salads and I picked up a copy of Nothing to be Frightened Of by Julian Barnes at Book Ends. I love talking to Sarah. We’re quite different but when she describes how she feels about things I recognize something familiar–being an only child is probably part of it.
In the evening K and I met the Lums, Wayne, Cora, and their friend Diane at Le Bistro for dinner. I had two glasses of wine and some seared ahi. My tolerance for alcohol has gone down the tubes. While I’m in the moment I feel in charge of all my faculties. But then the next day I remember things I said and I’m kind of befuddled by why I would say various things. Not like I say anything bad or rude just not anything that I can remember thinking to say.
Dinner was great. I loved it. K met Wayne and Cora for the first time and he was charmed by them–particularly by a story of Wayne, his tendency for day dreaming, and a tree. We also learned that Cora, his wife, was a Hong Kong film star. I feel like a doofus for not having known that before. We’re looking forward to watching her films.
Wing Tek had a seating plan for dinner and he put Diane next to me who used to be the director of ACV. She was very very nice. She seems to have a very interesting family story. I look forward to seeing her again and hearing more about her aunties.
This week Wing Tek is hosting a dinner for Kimiko who’s coming to town. It’ll be nice to see her.
Three One Nine 